BACT Spotlight On - Actor

In just a few days, Mercy Watson to the Rescue opens at the Freight & Salvage. This show is based upon the popular Kate DiCamillo book series, and features a loveable pig named Mercy who loves buttered toast. For this blog post, we got to interview the actor behind the pig, Patricia Austin.

---

BACT: How did you begin getting involved with theatre?

Patricia: I have been doing some sort of theatre since I was wee: School plays, Christmas pageants, children's choir. But my first real audition was in the 5th grade for the Sound of Music with Little Town Players in Bedford, VA. I played Gretl and had the time of my life.  

BACT: Is theatre your main job, or do you have another job as well?

Patricia: I have ALWAYS had some sort of day job from waitressing to admin work until this past August.  Now I teach, costume and act. I still cobble things together, hustle for work and my calendar looks like a game of Tetris, but the work is all theatre-related and that makes me very happy.

BACT: What drew you to audition for Mercy Watson?

Patricia: I knew that BACT was having their generals but wasn't sure which show I wanted to focus on.  Then Melissa, the casting director, asked me to come in for Mercy Watson.  I read the play and the first book, and just went for it.  

BACT: Had you done children's theatre before this? 

Patricia: I came to the Bay Area from Chicago where I did a fair amount of children's theatre. My first production with BACT was The True Story of The Three Little Pigs.  Another pig role.  So maybe I have a calling for Children's stories about pigs?  Hmmmm . . .

BACT: Well, we're glad to have you playing this porcine wonder! How would you describe Mercy Watson? 

Patricia: I think she is a lovable character who LOVES!  She loves her family, she loves adventure and meeting new people, but most of all she LOVES TOAST? 

BACT: How are you similar to her?

Patricia: [I share] Her sense of play and adventure.  We also share a love for toast.  I just prefer mine with jam.

BACT: What is the best part about playing Mercy Watson? What challenges did you encounter? 

Patricia: The best part about playing Mercy Watson is that she is a lot of fun. She is high-energy and physical, and she is definitely not afraid. The biggest challenge at first was to figure out what Mercy means when she says "butter"or "toast"or "cookie".  Does she really want butter and toast all the time or is she also trying to convey other things using a limited vocabulary? So, early in the rehearsal process we made certain distinctions about when it was actually toast or when it was really something else.

BACT: Is it easy or difficult playing an animal character?

Patricia: Hmmmm.  I would say that that playing an animal character is more physically driven than textually driven, especially Mercy.  But as far as easier or hard I don't know.  You still have to make them real. And you still have to make people care about them.  So in the end, you still have the same challenges as when you are playing people.

BACT: What do you hope kids and their families take away from watching Mercy Watson to the Rescue.

Patricia: A deep and abiding love of toast!  And butter.  And live theatre!

BACT: Got any fun behind-the-scene stories?

Patricia: This cast and crew are the best! We have a lot of fun and are still collecting stories.  Early on in rehearsal we would crack each other up so much (from our "schmackting") that at the end of whatever scene we were rehearsing we would lovingly say "all the awards." 

BACT: If you're having that much fun in rehearsals, it sounds like we're in for a fun show! Thank you so much for your time!

Tickets for Mercy Watson to the Rescue are on sale now at our website!

BACT Blogger Genevieve Interviews Actor Derek Collard

Genevieve is back with another interview! This time, the young blogger got to chat with DerekTravis Collard who plays Frog in A Year With Frog and Toad, currently playing at Bay Area Children's Theatre. Genevieve is eleven years old and in fourth grade at Kensington Hilltop Elementary. She attended her first live theater performance at three years old. Genevieve also enjoys acting, particularly in musicals, playing the piano, writing, reading, traveling, and playing sports with her friends. She lives in Kensington with her parents and two younger siblings.
If you are age 9 and up and want to write a blog about your experience with BACT, email nina@bactheatre.org.

---

My Interview of Derek Collard
By Genevieve, Age 11

     Okay, first off, I have to say that the newest Bay Area Children’s Theatre (BACT) production, A Year with Frog and Toad, was amazing! There was great singing and acting and it captured the feeling of the books. The scenery and costumes were really cool, creative, fun, and looked a lot like the original artwork by Arnold Lobel. I laughed out loud so many times! Thank you to all of the people who put time into this musical…the work really showed!

Actor DerekTravis Collard

     All right, now on to the interview with Derek Collard, the actor who has been in many BACT productions, this time playing Frog in A Year with Frog and Toad. Derek is also the Development Coordinator for BACT. Derek is an amazing actor and is really funny and exciting.

      A Development Coordinator is the person in charge of fundraising for the company. They work on getting donations from people and getting attention for, in this case, a play. Derek Collard says that his most successful fundraising project was the kick starter video he created for Ivy and Bean.

      Derek started acting at the age of eight. His first play was Peter Pan, which was a world premiere, so he traveled around the world as a Lost Boy. It took two years, so Derek had to have tutors on the road.

      If Derek could act in ANY play, which would it be? The answer to that one is simple: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Derek was in it once before, playing the character Snoopy and thought it was a lot of fun.  

DerekTravis Collard as Frog.

     In A Year with Frog and Toad, Derek was allowed to pick any part he wanted. He chose Frog because he thought Frog was levelheaded and a good friend. He also wanted a part that was a little less physical; last production he was the Dad in Knuffle Bunny, and that had a lot of running around, pulling on a stubborn little girl, and loud songs.

     Everyone in A Year with Frog and Toad rehearsed five days every week for five weeks! That is a lot of practicing, but once the plays start, there isn’t any more rehearsing because they’re so busy putting on the productions!

      When Derek was a child, he loved to read, always having a book under his arm everywhere he went, so of course by the time he was seven he had read the sweet Frog and Toad books.

     This musical was one of my favorites of the BACT productions, and I once again thank everyone who put time into this awesome play, A Year with Frog and Toad. A special thanks to Derek Collard!

BACT Spotlight On - Actor

With BACT's brand-new show The Gold Rush Musical! getting ready to embark on its Bay Area school tour, we decided it would be exciting to get to know one of the cast members: Khalia Davis. Khalia is also a teaching artist with our Youth Education Program, teaching theatre and drama at three different school locations.

---

BACT: You have worked with BACT in many different capacities. Can you outline those roles for us?

Khalia: My first introduction to BACT was last summer when I performed in their show Click, Clack, Moo as Cow #2 at Children's Fairyland in Oakland. At that same time I was also their musical director for their summer theater camps. We did Annie, the musical. I had such a wonderful time that when I was asked to come back for this past summer, I couldn't say no! I played Sally in The Cat in the Hat at Children's Fairyland and at Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley. I also worked at the same summer camps but this time wearing a different hat: choreographer. I was way more in my element and comfort zone in that role, as I have more experience directing and choreographing for kids. Currently, I am gearing up for the fall school tour of The Gold Rush Musical! as well as workshopping the new children's musical, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy (based on the hit book series). While being a performer, I am also the director for two different after school theater programs: Wildwood Elementary School in Piedmont and Alamo Elementary. I am also assistant directing and doing the choreography for Disney's 101 Dalmatians, Kids at Beach Elementary School in Piedmont!

BACT: Phew! That is a lot! Do you consider yourself an actor first? An educator first? Or a combination of the two?

Khalia: That is a great question! I have always been passionate about acting and performing. It wasn't until about 4 years ago that I realized my true passion is in children's theater and entertainment. I have been teaching drama and dance to kids since I was a kid. It is a blessing that while trying to make a full-time career as a performing artist in family entertainment (theater, television, web, and film all included), my other jobs are revolved around teaching kids theater!

BACT: How does your acting inform your work as an educator?

Khalia: I think teaching kids is what has fueled my ability to perform for kids because I get to witness first-hand all their antics and adorable shenanigans in class. As an actor, you take on many roles that help tell a story. As a teacher, you take on many roles to help these children grow and learn. Sometimes I have to be stern and authoritative so my children can understand the importance of the lesson and the respect they should show me and each other as ensemble members. Then, there are times when I am the nurturer that lends a sympathetic ear to a child who is reticent to audition or perform due to shyness or nerves. Other times I am the goof ball who shows my class how easy and fun it is to just let loose and be silly and over the top. Acting is such a wonderfully freeing art form and getting to showcase that for the kids is awesome!

BACT: What do you most enjoy about being an educator? An actor?

Khalia: As an educator, I love seeing the process my children go through in creating a show. The final product is always a wonderful way to showcase how much hard work, energy, and heart these little ones put into it. I enjoy facilitating the use of their imaginations or finding ways to get kids to come out of their shells. Some of my favorite times being an educator are when I get students who have behavior problems but by show-time, the same kids find a way to be helpful whether by knowing their cues and lines or gathering props or sets.

As an actor, I love telling stories. I have the opportunity to affect an audience. I have always loved performing for people even when I was little. I started as a professional child actress and model, and I couldn't get enough of being on stage or in front of a screen. When you are acting, you are not yourself anymore. There is something very magical about that transformation. There is also something magical when an audience allows themselves to be transported to that time and space you have invented for them to enjoy. Being an artist means I never have to lose my imagination and love of creation. Being a children's entertainer means I never have to grow up.

The Gold Rush cast: Khalia Davis, Alex Lydon & Steven Shear

 

BACT: You are in the midst of rehearsals for The Gold Rush Musical, which will tour schools in October. What are the differences, if any, in preparing for a touring show versus one of our mainstage shows (i.e. Cat in the Hat, Click Clack Moo)?

Khalia: The major difference I have found are the added responsibilities that we have when prepping for a touring show. We are not just the talent but also the stage hands and facilitators for discussions after the show. We have to be in charge of setting our own costumes, props, and set pieces. After a mainstage show, we may go out to the audience for a meet and greet but with this tour, we will be holding talk backs that provide kids an opportunity to ask us direct questions about our show, characters, and educational content. Mainstage shows operate in the same theaters all season long, but with a school tour, we travel all over the Bay Area and perform in all sorts of spaces. Some of the schools will have an actual auditorium with a stage. Some schools will use their multipurpose room with no stage space. We have to be ready to make those adjustments on the fly. The time it is taking us to mount this production is also significantly faster than for a mainstage show. We were required to be off-book before we even started rehearsals so that we could start immediately with working on our feet.

BACT: What are you looking forward to the most performing with BACT this year?

Khalia: Being a young woman of color, I was always looking for the black actress in anything I saw as a child. I wanted to see a representation of myself up on stage because then I could believe it was possible for me to do it too. I am so honored that I get an opportunity to travel to all different types of diverse schools this fall hopefully inspiring other young girls of color who have the same dream I did or at least giving them a reason to relate to the material being performed. It is very special for me.

BACT: What words of encouragement, insight or wisdom do you have for the younger generation who someday hope to do what you are doing?

Khalia: Training hard, being professional, and having a positive attitude are what will get you ahead in this business. If you believe in yourself and what you have been called to do, then do it. Give it everything you've got, and support and encouragement will follow. Bring positive energy into any work environment because people will notice you and your light will shine the brightest.

Partners in Fun

Bay Area Children’s Theatre and MTC join for new Theater Series for Young Audiences
A Guest Blog by Daunielle Rasmussen, Marin Theatre Company's Director of Education

I love theater for young audiences. It is a joy to see how young ones light up when they experience the magic of live theater. They are so engaged and present, connecting deeply to the story being told in front of them. One of the values that Marin Theatre Company holds that drew me to this organization is their belief that every child should grow up experiencing great theater. We want to produce great work that inspires audiences of all ages.

Ivy + Bean was the first show BACT brought to MTC!

When I first came on board at MTC, Jasson and I decided that it is a top priority to create extensive programming for families. Knowing that it will take several seasons to build the infrastructure needed to support producing a full season of plays for youth, I started to think about potential partnerships that would allow us to serve our young audiences more fully today. Up until this year, we produced one to two School Tour productions each year that toured throughout Marin County and the Bay Area. A few years ago, we also started presenting the School Tour onsite at MTC to engage neighborhood families in the experience.

Due to logistical challenges, I realized last December that we weren’t going to be able to mount the MTC run of our The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe School Tour in March and April 2013, but I didn’t want to lose our one slot in the year where we had been presenting work for children and families. That’s when the light bulb lit up in my mind and I thought that this might be an opportunity to pilot a partnership experiment to see how Marin County families would receive it.

When selecting a partner, it is important to find someone who shares similar values and whose work you respect. For me, I knew right away that I wanted to work with Bay Area Children’s Theatre. I first encountered BACT when I attended their production of Junie B. Jones and A Little Monkey Business in 2006. I was dazzled by the show; it was a magical experience made by people who have what it takes to make meaningful work for children that doesn’t pander or wallow in didactic language. Their work is smart, funny and innovative, engaging families with each other in creative experiences. Those are the values we hold in our own work.

The Cat in the Hat kicks off the partnership with MTC!

I reached out to Nina and she thought to bring Ivy + Bean, the Musical to MTC. I loved the idea, and the benefits of working together were very apparent for both organizations. With every show sold out, the MTC run of Ivy + Bean went even better than we had anticipated, so continuing the partnership seemed to be a no-brainer.

We are excited about this partnership as it creates the opportunity for us at MTC to provide a full
season of quality theater for young audiences in Marin County with a partner who, over the last ten years, has created a home for Bay Area children to engage creatively with their families and their imaginations.

We look forward to seeing you and the young people in your life this season!

BACT Spotlight On - Actor

In less than two weeks, we will be kicking off our 10th Anniversary season at BACT with the opening of The Cat in the Hat! This re-telling of the Dr. Seuss classic will be playing at Children's Fairyland in Oakland. We recently interviewed Doyle Ott, the talented actor who will be starring as The Cat in the Hat.  In addition to his work as a performer, Doyle runs the youth theatre at Children's Fairyland, teaches at Sonoma State, and also works as a freelance director and dramaturg.

---

"An incredible adventure comes through the front door..."

BACT: Did you read Dr. Seuss when you were a young reader? If so, what impact has Dr. Seuss had on you?

Doyle: I remember lying on the rug in a library and reading through every Dr. Seuss book I could get my hands on. I think, for me, his books were a little subversive, and some of them were among the first I "discovered" for myself.

BACT: Describe your experience getting into the character of The Cat in the Hat. What has your process been like? What has been most challenging about it? Any surprises as you were exploring the character?

Doyle: It's been fun playing with finding little bits of cat behavior, and figuring out how they live in The Cat's body. Right now, I'm asking myself a lot of questions about how The Cat instigates things. How much is deliberately mischievous, and how much is accident? Does he know what's going to happen when he lets the Things out of the box? A fun, simple obvious surprise came in thinking about what The Cat wants and why he's there. Part of it is just a cat wanting in out of the rain.  Right now, I think the biggest challenge is distilling all the great stuff we've come up with as a cast and making it clear.

BACT: Why do you think The Cat in the Hat is such a popular story?

Doyle: The book really is just full of stuff for children and for parents. A lot of the classic elements of myths and fairytale journeys are there -- the parents are gone, and an incredible adventure comes through the front door. At first, it's fun, then it gets out of control, and the children have to figure out how to control it. I love that the book ends with a question that's basically about ethics. Would you tell your parents if something totally unbelievable happened while they were gone? As a parent and a teacher, it reminds me of the amazing things that children go through on a day-to-day basis, the daydreams and make-believe games that are so engrossing. It's easy to forget the value of the adventure that led to the mess. And I can't think of anyone who doesn't want The Cat's mess-cleaning machine.

BACT: How does this production compare with the book, or other appearances of The Cat? Has the production stayed true to the book?

Doyle: The adaptation that we're working with is the truest to the book that I've read. The words are all there. For me, the old Chuck Jones animated version (which Dr. Seuss was involved with from beginning to end) will always be the standard to meet as far as adaptations go. Because people tend to read the book over and over, the images are icons. So the challenge is to make as many of those images come to life as possible, while keeping the same spirit of play the book evokes.

BACT: What do you hope audience members take away from this production of The Cat in the Hat?

Doyle Ott, the man behind The Cat

Doyle: I'm using it as a reminder to embrace all the wonderful opportunities and adventures that walk in the front door every day. If this encourages anyone to let the world in a little more, that would be a victory. In terms of bringing the book to the stage, I'd love it if they leave feeling like nothing's been left out, or maybe feeling like they've seen one of those "find the differences in the pictures" puzzles.

BACT: Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Any final thoughts on The Cat in the Hat?

Doyle: I'm just grateful for the chance to be working with such a talented, committed cast and production team!

BACT Blogger Genevieve Interviews Stage Manager Christina Larson

Genevieve returns with a fun interview with Christina Larson, Bay Area Children Theatre's resident stage manager! This time, the young blogger learns what it takes to stage manage a show like Knuffle Bunny, which is currently running at the Front Row Theater in San Ramon. Genevieve is ten years old and in fourth grade at Kensington Hilltop Elementary. She attended her first live theater performance at three years old. Genevieve also enjoys acting, particularly in musicals, playing the piano, writing, reading, traveling, and playing sports with her friends. She lives in Kensington with her parents and two younger siblings.
If you are age 9 and up and want to write a blog about your experience with BACT, email nina@bactheatre.org.

-----

My Interview of Christina Larson

By Genevieve, Age 10

 

              Recently I went to the newest Bay Area Children Theatre production…Knuffle Bunny! First of all, I was very surprised that Knuffle Bunny was pronounced Kuh-Nuffle. My family and I have always thought that it was pronounced Nuffle!

              The play was funny and exciting. I loved the silly dad, toddler Trixie, the un-trusting mom, and the fun ensemble. Trixie did an awesome job acting like a baby, and the dad did a great impression being frustrated and determined. I loved it when he went in the washing machine and fought all the types of clothing. Trixie’s babble was hilarious, and her little song was heartbreaking. The mom was funny and superior. The actors were all wonderful!

One thing that I noticed right away was the awesome scenery, with the painted black-and-white book-like background, the opening washing machines, and of course the lighting that helped the mood. Everyone did really silly dances and moved around the stage in a fun way. None of this would have happened if it weren’t for Christina Larson, the stage manager and the most recent person I interviewed.

Christina is from the Bay Area. Some of her family members live there, too. She goes to every practice to help people know where to move around on stage. She is in charge of lighting, helping the actors and crew get along, and…well, everything. Christina is a very big part of putting on a production. She works with everyone. The designers, the directors, the actors, and anyone else involved in the play. Christina also works as a receptionist at another theatre, but she really enjoys stage managing.

There are several challenges of being a stage manager. As I mentioned before, she has to manage the people and make sure all technical things like lighting and sound effects are running smoothly. She has to make sure that the set designer is doing what the director pictured. Those are some hard challenges to face.

But what else does she do? Christina is the person backstage behind the counter with all the buttons and screens. She’s the one who presses the ‘go’ button for the next exciting thing. She helps with sound effects. A stage manager is a HUGE part of putting the production together. That much is obvious.

The gigantic Knuffle Bunny dances with Trixie!

Something that I always wonder is…where do they get those awesome props? Well, that was interesting to ask. Christina tells me that they hire a prop designer and work together with her to make sure everything is perfect. A prop that I was curious about is the gigantic Knuffle Bunny. Instead of having it be a costume, they made the huge stuffed animal be a bit like a puppet, with a person behind it, holding it. I asked Christina why they would do that, and she said the director wanted it like that. It would be quicker, because if it had been a costume, the person inside it would have very little time to change. It was easier to make, also.

I thank everyone who was a part of making the play possible, from the actors to the crew. Especially Christina, who spent time with me to do this interview, which turned out to be so cool and interesting. The play was so awesome. I loved it, and, once again, THANK YOU!!!

10 Years - Imagine That!

Bay Area Children’s Theatre is about to embark on our 10th Anniversary season. I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited about the shows we have lined up!

The Cat arrives at Fairyland in June!

We open the season with a new and innovative interpretation of Dr. Seuss’ classic, The Cat in the Hat. This production uses the words from the book as the dialogue in the show, while adding hysterical audience interactions accompanied by live sound effects and musical instruments. The incredibly talented cast will bring to life the mischievious Things, Sally, the Boy, the Fish, and, of course, the Cat. I can’t wait to see the delight on the faces of our youngest audience members as the world of Cat is revealed on stage at Fairyland.

Coming to a school near you!

This fall, we will tour local schools with The Gold Rush Musical!. BACT is commissioning this show to directly address the California Content Standards for social studies. This fast-paced, comedic, musical adventure through the history of California will be designed to educate and entertain elementary school students throughout the Bay Area.

The beloved classic returns!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we will be revisiting one of our all-time favorites, A Year with Frog and Toad. I adore this heart-warming story about friendship, and the music is captivating for all ages.

Meet the porcine wonder!

In January, I cannot wait to bring to life one my son’s absolute favorite book series, Mercy Watson. If you are not yet familiar with this “porcine wonder” do yourself (and your family) a favor and pick up a copy of the Mercy Watson books, by Kate DiCamillo. You will giggle the night away as you read about Mercy and her escapades.

A magical journey in ancient China!

Following Mercy Watson, BACT is proud to bring to the stage another new musical by Min Kahng (book, music and lyrics for Tales of Olympus). This time, Min will be creating an original musical adaptation of the Newbery Honor book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. I picked up this book and read it one night after I heard from a librarian friend that she couldn’t keep it on the shelves at their school library. And I am excited to see it realized on-stage next year!

Let your imagination fly!

Finally, we close our season with another world premiere! Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical will be written and composed by local musician, Julia Norton. The show is a celebration of the power of imagination—a theme I hold near and dear to my heart.

We hope that you and your family are as psyched about the season as my family is. My son keeps asking me, “When is the Cat coming to town?” Well, the Cat arrives in June. Looking forward to seeing you at the theatre as we embark on the next 10 years!

- Nina