Alex Campbell and Bryan Mittelstadt (who would have played Audrey and Seymour in our production of Little Shop) singing Suddenly Seymour in tribute to what would have been opening night of our show
If you listened to the last Squad Pod, you will have heard us talking about another sector of collaborators that are obviously very crucial to the work: actors. Chatting with Jess and Brittny about how closely costumes works with actors as apart of their process, I couldn’t help but feel a smile spread its way across my heart along with the now familiar sadness. As the scenic designer for Little Shop, I got lucky; I got to do a huge portion of work that I can effectively showcase using digital mediums. For our actors, they barely got through a few rehearsals before they had to halt. I couldn’t get through talking about my work on this show without also telling you, my persistent reader, about the actors I have been blessed to work with in my time at UConn.
See, at first I thought I would only highlight those who were cast in Little Shop, but I kept thinking about all the actors I’ve worked with in the department in the last three years; or seen them in shows as a delighted audience member. The creative team definitely works themselves down to the bone and marrow, and one of the singular joys that makes that worth while is the moment the actor enters into our work and animates it. The second an actor stands on a chair I’ve placed, or leans against a wall like they’ve lived in that space for years….I can’t actually articulate how it ties my chest into knots of wonder. I got lucky in my program; the actors I worked with cared deeply about the work and generously endowed mine with great animation. So, I want to feature them all here, at least, those who are graduating. We all had our final shows and showcases COVID canceled, but we did the work. I hope you take a moment to go look at theirs as you have been so generous to read (and listen) about mine
First, the MFA actors. These people hold a special place in my heart because we all came in at the same time and are graduating at the same time. UConn recruits the MFA actors every three years, so this group happened to be at the top of a recruitment bunch when I entered UConn. I have worked with every single person in this group, count a few as close friends, and all as colleagues. The link below the picture is to their showcase website, which has everyone’s individual website listed. Please, take a moment to explore this talent, I am definitely going to miss working with this crew on a regular basis. All the best to you loves, you’re gonna be amazing!
Next, we have the senior BFA Acting class. Now, while I haven’t worked with every single person in this class, I have had the pleasure of witnessing them in a production as an audience member. Both as collaborators and performers, I have found this group to be generous and daring in their work, as well as gracious in their communication. Their energy is a force to be reckoned with and I look forward to the day that I know will come (especially given how small our industry is) when I can say I have worked with every single one of these individuals. Go take the world comrades!
UConn BFA Actors, 2020 Class