Page 13 - SPIRE JulySep 2022 3rd Issue DIGITAL

AMERICANA THEATRE COMPANY: ERIN & DAVID FRIDAY
describing. In our production, we kept it set stage. Very rarely is a word written in
strengths and weaknesses and we do our auditions in NYC, and/or auditions via video From left to right David Friday, Erin Friday, and Jesse
Sullivan in Clue
best to compliment each other. Luckily, our submission. in the prison and used props and costumes to a script that has no relevance to the Photo by Denise Maccaferri
“My favorite weaknesses are the other one’s strengths. “The Robber Bridegroom” features ATC core create the scene. Audience members then story, so taking a deep dive into the
used their imaginations to go to the locations
script is always a must.
show at ATC The Americana Theatre Company brings in company members Derek Martin as Jamie that are supposed to be represented.
has been Man professional actors for each production. Lockhart/Guitar, Jesse Sullivan as Clement Although The Robber Bridegroom
Musgrove, Erin Friday as Salome and David
How do you obtain your actors? Do you What is your dream role? Who would you runs only during July, Studio
of La Mancha. work with a returning group of players? Friday as Little Harp. love to play and why? Americana runs theater classes all
Guest company members include Kelly Ann Erin: I’ve already played my dream role in year long. How does teaching acting
I thought the We have our core company members who Dunn as Rosamund, Jesse Winton as to your students compare with your
we try to cast in every show. They also are Goat/Guitar, Payton Gobeille as Ensemble college. I was the Baker’s Wife in Into the own process?
talent was designers for the show. We have our guest and Sarah Troxler as Music Director/Piano. Woods, but I would love to reprise that role. Everyone needs to find their own
The Baker’s Wife is so flawed but has too
amazing, the company members. Guest company Guest artists include Spencer Gayden as Big much pride and tries to hide her flaws. She process, but by teaching them our
members are members that have done 3+
concept was shows with us. They are extremely talented Harp/Percussion, Angelica Vendetti as First rationalizes irrational behavior. However, processes, it gives them insight and
individuals who have the company’s best Fiddle, Rachel Wambeke as Goat’s she is nurturing and kind. She is so relatable another tool towards discovering
brilliant, & the interest at heart. We try to get our loyal Mother/Second Fiddle/Ensemble, Emma and funny. what works best for them. We lay the
company members cast in our shows as well. Harlow as Raven, Matthew Girard as David: I’d give my right arm to play Sweeney foundation as far as script analysis, “Our cast not
execution was We have interns that we offer roles to from Ensemble/Bass, Bob Sullivan as Banjo, and Todd. Stephen Sondheim is one of my character development, and
outstanding!” Stonehill College (Easton, MA), Regent Connor Northcutt as Ensemble.. favorites. The depth of the material has only performs
University (Virginia Beach, VA), and William always appealed to me and it certainly suits
Jessup University (Rocklin, CA). If we still my vocal range. their roles,
need roles filled after going through those Who’s the guiding force and director for this
means, we hold local auditions, show and why were they chosen? Besides this one, what’s your favorite stage but actually
Our director is Michael Kirkland (Ph.D. show you’ve done and why?
From left to right Erin Friday, Brian Professor: Acting/Directing & Stage Combat play all the
William Kenerson, & David Friday Erin: My favorite show at ATC has been Man
on the set of Man of La Mancha (SAFD), Regent University). He also directed of La Mancha. I thought the talent was instruments
our production of Man of La Mancha and amazing, the concept was brilliant, and the
others, so we have a great understanding of execution was outstanding! of a live
how he works and vice versa. The Robber
Bridegroom happens to be one of Michael’s David: I’d have to agree. Having a lot of the bluegrass
favorite shows, so he has a strong vision and same tone as Sweeney Todd and being a
passion for how this show will lay out, which wonderfully written piece of material along band as well”
is essential when you are trying to put a show with the emotional impact of the story made
up in the short time frame that we have. the experience of performing it uplifting and Erin Friday in Boeing, Boeing
fulfilling. Photo by Denise Maccaferri
What’s challenging about bringing this
script to life? You both have professional acting credits.
Our cast not only performs their roles, but How will you be preparing for your roles?
actually play all the instruments of a live Erin: As with any musical I've been involved David Friday in The Hound of the Baskervilles
Photo by Denise Maccaferri
bluegrass band as well – including piano, with, I start by becoming familiar with the
guitars, fiddles, banjo, bass and percussion. music. I play the soundtrack in my car production value/execution and
The Robber Bridegroom represents the true everywhere I go. I also try to be close to allow them to explore. Unfortunately
landscape of Americana on stage, captivating memorized before the first rehearsal so that our 8 week classes aren't long enough
theatre lovers and music aficionados of the I already have a good idea of who my to give all students the individual
folk, country and bluegrass genres alike! character is- that way there will be more of a attention that we’d like to, which is
character collaboration between the way I why we run classes throughout the
How do you go about achieving your set see the character and the way the director year. Ultimately, the opportunity to
design and how much time is needed to put envisioned it. perform teaches them life skills that
a set together? they will carry with them and that will
David: As with any show, it starts with the benefit them no matter what they do
We try to keep a minimalistic set approach. understanding of the story and the world in the future.
We choose shows that have a single set or that it’s in. I admittedly don’t know much
shows that can utilize audience imagination bluegrass music, so I'm spending time
to create the spaces that are intended for the listening to some. I’m trying to immerse
show. For example, we performed Man of La myself in that world. From there, I need to
Mancha in 2018, which is set in a prison. understand where my character fits into the
Typically, while one of the prisoners is telling story, figuring out not only what he’s doing
the story of Don Quixote, the stage turns on stage, but at times what he’s doing off
into the location of what the character is
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