The Revolutionists- meet cast member Melanie Kurstin!
Doing a play during the Pandemic is challenging. How has this experience been different than other shows you have worked on? Just the sheer fact that, up until February, all our rehearsals have been over Zoom. This certainly has never been the way of things, but it is also amazing how quickly we have learned to adapt in order to make this work and bring live theater to audiences in many formats. I am extremely grateful for the entire team being so prepared in knowing how to stage this show in a way that would be safe for not only the actors, but the audience as well. Jennifer Lyman’s direction was certainly thought out going into our first rehearsal so that we could do blocking from our own homes. It helps having such a small cast. With only four women, we can have our own little bubble on stage that keeps us all at safe distances from each other and the audience. We each have generic set pieces we can easily recreate in our homes to play around with. While it felt odd not being able to see live actors next to us when rehearsing over Zoom, and we couldn’t see facial expressions all the time in order to react more organically, we still had enough tools given to us to create a solid foundation for the flow of the play so it would make it easier to transfer when it came time to rehearsing it on stage. However, I certainly missed the interpersonal connections that you usually make with your cast and crew from the get-go, and it felt like a part of that was missing doing things over Zoom. That being said, the day we got to be on the stage and see each other in person felt celebratory in an emotional way, and I was excited to know how far we had come and how much more we will be able to create together safely.
Have you done any other theater during the Pandemic? Luckily, I have been able to find opportunities and ways to perform during this time. Of course, it hasn’t been the same since all of it has been virtual and it took some getting used to. Before the world shut down, I was about to close one show and had started rehearsals for Godspell with another company in Maryland, but sadly that was cancelled as soon as we knew nothing would open back up. However, it seemed like many companies and groups were fully aware that the world still needed art in whatever form they could provide.
I have been able to perform in numerous virtual cabarets and participate in one night play readings of new and original works. I also have had the chance to perform virtually in two dream shows over the last few months: The Wedding Singer as Linda, and Into the Woods as The Witch. I was so grateful and loved every second of doing those shows, but I am certainly hoping I have the chance to do them again in front of a live audience on a real stage. While there are constraints and limitations to doing such productions virtually, I will say it has allowed us to expand our creativity and knowledge of technology, video editing, etc. in order to put on something very special and entertaining. I have had the chance to do my own costume design for my parts, create sets and backdrops in my own living room, and even do some DIY special effects all from the comfort of my own home. Plus, it is still fun and has allowed people to connect from all over the world that may not have otherwise ever had the chance to know one another. While these experiences will always hold a place in my heart, I am so looking forward to being on a live stage again, in front of a live audience, and even do auditions live instead of over a computer screen.
What do you want the audience to walk away thinking about after the show? I would hope this play inspires the audience to delve deeper into history beyond what may have been taught from school textbooks. I hope it inspires them to have meaningful conversations about equality, privilege, and how there is still so much work to be done. I hope it gives them a different perspective about storytelling and the stories we are told over the years so that they may be moved to question what they have known, have tough conversations about the themes in the stories, and learn the lessons from them as well as figuring out ways to move forward together as a society that can be equal and fair for all. Lastly, I hope it brings light to the fact that there have been, and continue to be, so many influential, powerful, and important female figures throughout history that we may have never known at all or known enough about. Women have played such important roles throughout history, and I hope this play inspires audience members to find out more about them and give them the recognition they deserve.
What surprised you about the real characters depicted in The Revolutionists? In many ways, I was surprised how little I knew about these influential women in History. The only one I really knew of was Marie Antoinette, and even she I realize I only ever got a basic version of her story. Lauren Gunderson gives her a voice where one cannot ignore the fact that she was indeed a human being who was thrown into a lifestyle she did not necessarily have a choice in. She may truly deserve a bit more sympathy than history has allowed. Also, I knew of the famous paintings that had portrayed the assassination of Marat, but never really knew the name Charlotte Corday or much about her. Delving into her back story has fascinated me. She knew that as a woman she would not be treated as equally as others. While the play depicts her ability to be fearful and question her actions, she also was fully aware and prepared of what could and would happen after she completed her task. One of the most fascinating things I read about her was how she made sure to document every step and every moment that happened leading up to the assassination and getting caught. It was as if she knew they would try and fabricate her story and reasons for doing what she did, and so, she would write everything on pieces of paper that she would attach to her dress so by the time she was caught they would have her true written testimony. Now, whether they took the testimony to heart we may never know but it is truly amazing how she was very much aware that if she didn’t do that her story may end up lost in the ether and she would further risk being misunderstood and vilified. We get a wonderful sense of that urgency in the play with her interactions between Olympe and Marianne.
What made you get involved in theater? How did you get involved with LTA? Theater has always been a passion of mine since I can remember. I remember watching my oldest Brother in plays and musicals and thinking “I want to do that”. I find theater to have always been a source of solace, comfort, and fulfillment as well as very therapeutic in a way that it gives us an outlet and allows us to channel our emotions into characters that we then bring life to on the stage. I’ve gotten to see a few shows at LTA over the years because of many friends I have known who have been involved and have loved the quality of what they bring. I have always been interested in auditioning, but for whatever reasons the timing wasn’t right, whether it was me living in another state, being in another show, or our paths just not having the opportunity to cross. I am so excited it worked out this time and to finally be a part of the family!
What advice would you give others who are interested in working in theater? Go for it! Do not allow fear to prevent you from striving for your dreams and what makes you happy and fulfilled. Every performer feels that at some point or another. I still feel it at times. However, you will never know if you don’t try. Read plays, take classes, find mentors, volunteer, and audition when you can. You may not book every show, or every role you want, but do not let that stop you. When rejection happens, allow yourself to feel what you need to and then keep going. I realize that is hard to do sometimes and believe me I have my own struggle with that from time to time, but it is just part of the process. If you get offered ensemble, especially starting out, take it! It can be one of the best learning experiences and, if you work hard, I guarantee it will be noticed, remembered, and help you excel further. Sometimes, the strongest ensemble members will end up also being the strongest leading players. Even then, just being a part of a show will remind you in many ways of why you love the theater because it becomes an extended family and support system that will be with you for years to come. I’ve also been living by the mantra over the past couple of years that for every “No” there will be a “Yes”, and that “Yes” will make it worth it all over again.
Melanie will be playing Charlotte Corday in LTA's The Revolutionists, which is set to take the stage on February 27. Tickets are on sale now! Go to www.thelittletheatre.com for details.
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