The Little Theatre of Alexandria

  What do you find appealing about your character and this show? Marilyn is a complicated person. I enjoyed figuring out which Marilyn I was at any given moment. Working with Jessie Roberts is a delight. She's thoughtful, inventive, and understanding. How does this show differ from other shows you have worked on? Having to wear masks during rehearsals was challenging and frustrating. The eyes can say only so much. And we had to work to remember to stay six feet apart. What do you want the audience to experience/take away from this show? I hope the audience laughs, enjoys the plot twists, and appreciates why the play is called "Ripcord."            

What were some of the challenges for you in working on “Ripcord”? It will probably come as no surprise that my answer to this is the pandemic. The LTA and everyone working there, including the actors, take safety protocols very seriously. That meant we rehearsed on Zoom for a while before we got to the rehearsal room, where we always kept our masks on. This was a challenge because so much of acting comes from facial cues, especially when it comes to seeing the thought process a character is going through and when they are about to say another line, which cues another actor. We then had to adjust again once we hit the stage for final rehearsals where we could take our masks off. Imagine acting with people for over a month and never really seeing their faces and then bam - there they are! I think the cast did an amazing job, but it definitely pushed us outside our comfort zones. What do you find appealing about your character and this show? I always gravitate to the deeply troubled a...

Tell me a little bit about your character?   Scotty is a resident aide at the facility where the play takes place, and often finds himself to be the sole voice of reason!   He cares very much about the people there, but has his own life that he still wants to explore.   Scotty might be still finding his place in the world, but he's doing the best he can on all fronts. What were some of the challenges for you in working on “Ripcord”?   Theatre in the age of COVID is not only a blessing considering how long we were bereft of it, but also a challenge.   Ensuring the safety of the cast, crew, and audience has brought many adjustments and changes to the normal rehearsal process.   We have a wonderfully talented group however, and we have been able to put together a show that does justice to the material while taking into account this challenging time period. How does this show differ from other shows you have worked on?   This show has more serious drama...

Tell me a little bit about your character?   I play Abby Binder.   She is a very angry, bitter, sad and lonely older woman who has had MORE than her fair share of hard knocks in her life.   She has put up a wall around herself because of it and doesn't want to let anyone get close to her.   She's kind of just going through the motions of life without really enjoying it at all!   She lives in assisted living facility where she has somehow managed to get all her roommates out of her room all except for this latest one who won't take no for an answer!   This woman has also been through a LOT in her life but she has the very OPPOSITE personality from Abby's!   It takes a lot--but with the help of this other woman--Abby finally sees that life IS worth living!   What were some of the challenges for you in working on “Ripcord”?   The AMOUNT of lines that I had to learn.   I haven't had this big a role in a long time!   I usually play...