Theatre Company of Saugus

What does “The Glass Menagerie” mean to you as an artist? 

“I wish I had a better answer than this, but I really just love it. I think it’s an absolutely beautiful piece of storytelling, with a simple plot that’s brought to life by complex characters. It’s my kind of show, the kind that appeals to me as both an audience member and a performer, and obviously as a director.” 

What do you feel was the message Williams was trying to convey to the world in writing this piece? 

“Well, this is his autobiography of sorts. I think this is the most specific he’s been in terms of putting himself into his work. There are always notes of growing up in the south, and kind of certain themes that he follows, but I think this is the script in which he is truly divulging his own story. Of course, it’s theatrical and gorgeous and poetic, but I also think it’s the most honest.” 

Is there any specific message you want to convey to the audience that will see this show at the Theatre Company of Saugus? 

“The audience is going to see four people who are flawed, and who make mistakes, and who don’t always say or do the right thing, but what I want the audience to realize is that there is always another side to the story. It’s easy to judge other people’s behavior that we deem as wrong or negative, but we have no idea what their journey is. These characters are really easy to dislike at times, but the challenge is to shape them well enough that the audience says, ‘Sure, he or she is a mess, but I get it. I see it. I know what happened.’ Everybody has another side to the story. We’re all just doing the best we can, and I think we all need to grant people a little more grace. You never know what’s going on with somebody until you know.” 

There is a lot of symbolism written into this piece. How do you intend on communicating that to the audience? 

“I think that it’s important to never underestimate your audience, so I don’t plan on beating them over the head with anything, but I do think we have sculpted moments within the performances that illustrate a lot of the metaphors.” 

How can you relate to this play, both professionally and personally? 

“Professionally, I just love Tennessee Williams. My dream role is Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire, so I was excited to be able to work on a Williams piece in any capacity. Personally, as I’ve said, I think it’s an important piece of theatre in terms of being a great lesson in sympathy if not empathy.” 

Do you have any previous theatre experience that has gotten you ready to direct this classic piece? 

“I just graduated from a conservatory program as an acting major, so I’ve been living and breathing and eating theatre for quite a while. I’m in a very good head space to be at the helm of a show that I believe in and want to bring to life.” 

How do you feel about the Theatre Company of Saugus? Do you have any history with the company? 

“I’m relatively new to TCS, but I played Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet last summer. I think they put on great work, and I’m excited to bring in some new talented players and hopefully expand the audience a bit.” 

How has the process been thus far, working with your cast and crew? 

“This is my debut as a director, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about the ensemble I have around me. My production team has been incredibly reliable and supportive, and I have a group of all-stars in terms of actors. Besides just being so, so talented, they’re intelligent and passionate about the project, which makes all of the discussions and conversations that go into building a show really lovely and worthwhile. They’ve created enough of a foundation that I can go in and shape and tweak and play, which is thrilling for me, and they’re all so receptive and willing. I’m love all of them.” 

Do you have a certain vision for how you want to see this piece performed, in terms of staging? 

“I’m thrilled by how we’re using the space, utilizing the floor of the theater as though it were the floor of the Wingfield’s apartment, and kind of letting the audience border these people’s small living space. I hope the audience feels really connected and immersed.”

There is a sense of experimentation going on in rehearsals of The Glass Menagerie, and it’s a privilege for me to witness it.  My favorite kind of rehearsal is one in which the actors get to play in a scene before the director steps in, and that is exactly how Lexi Deschene works with her cast.  I feel this approach gives the actors more of an understanding of their presence in the scene, and an ability to add their own personalities.  Isn’t that the reason we have actors, to take a great text such as this one from Tennessee Williams, and put their own personal spin on it while still maintaining the original intentions of the characters? 

It’s also great to see a scene grow each time it’s rehearsed, and this cast is top-notch.  One of many things I can promise the audience will love during this performance is the four actors’ relationships with each other.  There was a certain freedom to the scene that was being rehearsed tonight, and I cannot wait to see the final product.  The way each character knows their role in the show and makes it their own is such a joy to see. 

When you have four talented performers such as this, a play such as The Glass Menagerie, and a director supporting each choice the actor makes, it will grow into a wonderful show or, in this case, be sculpted into a wonderful glass figurine.  I was grateful to meet the other two members of the cast tonight: Derek Bousquet and Michelle Mount, who I had the pleasure of talking to.

Be on the look-out for more on The Glass Menagerie presented by the Theatre Company of Saugus, August 9^th – 11^th & August 16^th – 18^th, 2013. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 PM, and Sunday performances will begin at 2:00 PM, located at the East Saugus United Methodist Church.

-Nathan Goulart-Pasco

Tonight, I attended a rehearsal for The Glass Menagerie, which will be presented by the Theatre Company of Saugus this August!  There were wonderful things happening.  The scene being rehearsed involved two characters, Tom and Amanda, portrayed by Kyle Raiche and Wendy Lippe.  The Glass Menagerie is such a well-written show and the text stands on its own, but when you add a director with a clear vision as well as a great cast, you are golden.  I can honestly say that I witnessed both of these things last night, and I am already so excited for opening night.  Knowing there is still over a month of rehearsal time, I was amazed to notice such focused actors; they rehearsed the same part of a scene five times, and I watched it improve in quality each time. The actors sank more and more into the characters.  Each character in this classic play written by Tennessee Williams has multiple layers, and the actors that I spoke with have a perfect sense of where to go with their character’s journey throughout the show, as does their director (Lexi Deschene).

Without giving too much away, I love the way the space is being set up, because I think it is a way for the audience to be even more connected with the characters.  I promise that the audience will feel like they are part of the action, and will really be able to connect with the story, which, as an avid theatre goer, is all I ask.  I want to be able to connect with a great performance.  The show takes place in a small apartment, so the idea of having the audience surround the action has me very excited to see the play start to finish.  Tom (Kyle Raiche) has a special role in this piece, as the narrator who speaks directly to the audience at points in the show.  He talks about his feelings, which rarely happens in the Wingfield household, so it’s great to hear Tom speak to the audience about his life.  Amanda (Wendy Lippe) is also a great character, and the audience will see the emotions she tries to hide from her family.

Being a Tennessee Williams play, there is already a solid foundation of a great script and characters, and the Theatre Company of Saugus is successfully bringing it to life with their actors.  Jessica Stockton was stage-managing, which is awesome!  I was not able to see the other amazing performers last night, but am excited and grateful to make more trips to rehearsals. Please keep up with The Glass Menagerie at TCS. I will continue with fun interviews and blogs throughout the process, and I am excited to be involved! Keep up with the blog!

The Glass Menagerie is being performed August 9^th – 11^th and 16^th – 18^th, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM.  The performances will be held at the East Saugus United Methodist Church, 85 Chestnut Street in Saugus, Massachusetts.

-Nathan G-P