I searched some old postcards, nothing. I looked through my clip art software, not much. I took another look at the script: an adaptation of Truman Capote's semi-autobiographical story about a young boy and his older cousin.
It had a rural setting, so I experimented with small houses, etc. until settling on a pair of trees. The larger one representing the older character, the smaller for the younger. It was stark which I think expressed how little they had, except each other.
Now during the holidays, my natural tendency is to be as low key as possible. Well, I ended up involved in just about every aspect of this show. I was already helping behind the scenes with promotion, set, and seating. But they needed someone to do three other characters, very small, a few lines a piece.
The cast and director of A Christmas Memory.
I had the pleasure of directing Gina and Alan (the main characters) in The Lion in Winter, and working with them on anything is a hoot, so I finally relented. My biggest fear: learning lines. Admittedly, it was quite stupid and selfish of me, because these were very small roles, and I'm ashamed to have been so stubborn.
The characters I portrayed were two (different) elderly women and a Native American named Ha-Ha. Fortunately no costumes, I just had to be dressed in black, and use different voices. Not a problem. For one, I channeled Agnes Moorehead, the other Edna May Oliver. (If you don't know know them, go to www.imdb.com.) Ha-Ha just had to be big and scary with a booming voice and when you're known for playing soft-spoken Brits, this was quite a turnabout, and a challenge.
The director, an emeritus of the theatre department really got a kick out of what I did with the parts, so to have his praise is quite an honor. So much ado about nothing.
Happy Holidays!
No comments:
Post a Comment