Q: Could you tell us about your work in film and TV?  

A: I started working in film April of last year, and have mostly worked on independent shorts.

Q: Does any of your film work offer experience that helps you with Pimpernel?  
I think that working in film has made me more aware of some of the subtleties of acting. On film you need to use much smaller actions and movements (especially in the face). Every little movement get captured by the camera. Interesting characters on film make use of subtle movements and expressions to add depth to their characters. I have found that now I look a little more to play to subtleties in my on stage characters as well. I try to strip away my immediate impulses of how to play a role. I tend to want to play big and out to the audience, to be showy with my character, when pulling it back inside myself is what is needed to bring the audience to the character and making the bigger bolder moments more enjoyable. In order to make this happen I try to find the essence of the character, the smallest version of it, and then build on that. I think that helps you to create someone with unique characteristics that is still true to the intent of the script.  In film you have a director ... in theatre you have a director, but then you have this amazing thing called the audience. In theatre I feel it takes the audience to help you find out who your character truly is. That is one of the things that makes live theatre so great. The audience is a really important component in helping to perfect and bring life to your character and to the show.
Q: How much do you like working in community theater?
A: I think community theatre is terrific. We have such a wealth of talent in this area and it is important and wonderful for these people to have a venue to show the world what they have. I think community theatre is vital to the communities they live in. It both gives artists (actors, stage crew, set designers, costumers, directors, stage managers, etc., and all the other lovers of the arts that make these shows possible) a place to use their talents as well as the residents a place to experience great theatre at reasonable prices.
Q: What do you like about your role in Pimpernel?
A: The role of Hal has been interesting in that it is not an ensemble role but he doesn't really appear by himself but always with his "bounder" cohorts. The bounders needed to work as a cohesive unit while maintaining distinct personalities. I think we all successfully pulled that off. That we are comrades working toward a common cause was true both on and off stage. We each get our moments on stage but it is less about us and more about the group. I have enjoyed that. They have truly been a terrific group of people to work with.
Q: How do The Concord Players compare to other theaters you've worked in?
Concord Players has been top notch. Every theatre I have worked with has been excellent, though. There have always been great people and everyone works hard to make the show happen. It has been the same here at Concord Players. I have appreciated how hard everyone has worked in the planning aspects of the show. I felt like this production went very smoothly. That says a lot about the director and the behind the scenes and supporting staff. They were also able to attract tremendous talent for this show. It has been great working with this cast and everyone else involved.

TWO PLAYERS WIN IRNE AWARDS!
The Independent Reviewers of New England Awards 2009 for best musical actress and actor went to Shana Dirik and Ben DiScipio for Sweeney Todd at Metro Stage. Shana has been in a number of Players productions, most recently as Mary in Memory of Water, and Ben, who played the role of Billy in Chicago.

WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to our newest member, Susan Schmidt, and  from the Pimpernel cast, new members Andy Swansburg, James Sheehan and Ethan Butler.