Local Actors Share Their Experiences

Cast and crew members from the Redlands Shakespeare Festival shared their experiences during a panel discussion Saturday at the A.K. Smiley Public Library. 

2011 was the Season of Controversy, with performances of Titus Andronicus, As You Like It and Merchant of Venice. Each show had a twist, including vampires in Titus Andronicus, As You Like It presented as a western melodrama, and The Merchant of Venice in the comedia dell’arte style.

Led by Artistic Director Steven Sabel, seven performers from the three plays gave their thoughts on everything from directorial styles to how they got their start in acting. It was the last of several workshops that members of the festival took part in during the course of the season.

“I’m very proud of our joint mission of not only presenting plays, but doing active outreach and workshop programs,” Sabel said.

Just finishing up its eighth season, the Redlands Shakespeare Festival saw its largest company, with 65 cast and crew members - 15 more than last season. Some were first timers, while others are veterans, having been part of the festival for several years.

“I’m very proud of the wide variety of talents and experiences,” Sabel said. “These actors all added to their repertoire and skills set.”

The actors shared how they got their start; Michael Eastman was one of the most experienced, having started in the third grade, while high school English teacher Monty Joham was in his first production ever.

“You’re constantly meeting new people, new faces, new ideas,” said Eastman. “I’ve been doing this since third grade, but I’m still learning new things.”

Nathan Lindsay had taken a break from performing, and was glad to come back.

“If you love it enough, it’s like being a fish in water,” he said.

The performers discussed how they gear up for a production, and how they choose which characters to try out for.

“You look at aspects of a role, not necessarily the size but what it means to the play,” Sabel said.

Julia Hoover studied theater and psychology while in college, and shared that both enhance her acting.

“I think psychology helps me delve into characters,” she said.

Sabel was one of two directors this season, along with Ron Milts. The cast discussed what it was like switching back and forth between directing styles, and Sabel spoke about his experience as a director.

“Directors share so much with actors, and delve into the depths of the characters to find the story within,” he said. “It’s more rewarding than the solo work of developing a character.”

Whatever the role, all the participants agreed that they finished the season more experienced, yet still learning.

“You are forever a student of the art,” Sabel said. “It doesn’t matter how many shows you’ve done, you still constantly and forever are a student of the art form.”