Beautiful Cages is showing September 9-24, 2022! We reached out to Amanda McLoughlin to find out more about her and her experience working on this production.
What is this show about in 3 sentences or less?
The ways in which family members can harm one another and control the narrative of their history.
The ripple effect of generational trauma.
What’s your favorite thing about working on this production?
This is my first production at The Magnetic, and I have really enjoyed having a new space to work and create with others. I've met some incredibly talented people, and it has been a joy to see this show come together. I love the excitement of a new environment and new people and being able to tell this story with them.
What are 5 songs you feel embody the mood of this production?
Ah, only five?! Okay:
Journey - Separate Ways
Blind Willie Johnson - Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground
With Pen in Hand - Johnny Darrell
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Please Read the Letter
Arcade Fire - My Body is a Cage (the Peter Gabriel cover is also great and hits that mood for me)
How is this production different from other productions you’ve been in?
My daughter is one of my actors! This is her first time onstage, and it has added such a layer of excitement and pride for me.
What's your most interesting family story?
I don't know if it is the most interesting, but one of my favorite stories involves my great-grandmother. She was a classic Appalachian woman - worked her farm, took care of her siblings, kids, and grandkids. She was a preacher's wife, but she also called my dad "little shitass" and didn't take any guff from anyone. Florence was a real firecracker! Anyway, the story: A family member came down to talk to Florence while she was in the garden digging up potatoes - I think it may have been her sister-in-law, I don't remember exactly who it was. Either way, this person was running her mouth to Florence about something, and Florence got mad and started throwing potatoes at her and told her to go on home. I just cackle at the thought of my tiny little Granny flinging potatoes at someone.
Biography
Amanda McLoughlin (Stage Manager) is excited to be working her first show with The Magnetic Theatre. She has always been enamored of wonderful storytelling, which naturally led to her to answer the call of the theatre. Some of her favorite past shows include THE LITTLE PRINCE with Montford Park Players and SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT with Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. When she isn’t at the theatre she can be found doing fiber art, mothering her adorable offspring, and eating eggplant parmesan. Thank you for supporting local theatre, and enjoy the show!
Beautiful Cages is showing September 9-24 at The Magnetic Theatre in Asheville, NC. Grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=132411