Dry Weather Wind, by local playwright Kai Elijah Hamilton, is part of The Magnetic Theatre's New Play Development program. It will be presented as a "live" reading on Zoom on Friday, October 2nd, 2020 at 7:30 pm. We reached out to actor Lara Hollaway with a few questions about this production.
1. What are the challenges of performing under these circumstances?
Specifically, in a reading, you are not able to see the faces of the other actors. This is especially challenging when so much of acting involves reacting, and creating moments with the other actors on stage. You have to merely rely on the inflection in their voices. I love the intimacy of creating a world with other actors, and over Zoom, that is removed. Not gonna lie...it's difficult. It's an entirely new medium!
2. What have you found to be your biggest quarantine hobby?
I have started a YouTube channel teaching people who are stuck at home how to tap dance, with a focus on giving back to those in need across the globe.
Lara Hollaway- Tap Tutorials
You can check it out here! :)
3. What makes you most excited about being a part of this project?
I sooo miss our theatre community here in Asheville, so even in the more difficult "Zoom" environment, having the opportunity to get together to rehearse and create has just been a God-send, and great for my soul!
5. Why and how did you get into theatre?
When I was 10 I saw the movie Annie and knew from that moment on that I wanted to be an actor. My parents took me to audition for the first professional production of Annie in the South, and I was cast as the Understudy to Annie. Robert Alda and Fannie Flagg were my Daddy Warbucks and Miss Hannigan. It was my first experience on stage and I've never looked back.
6. How is working with The Magnetic Theatre different from working at other theatres in the area?
I love that the Magnetic is so focused on bringing new works to the Asheville area. It often allows us, as actors, to be a part of the creative process from the get-go. It's a rare and exciting position to be in!
Biography
Lara Hollaway (Billie) - Lara is thrilled to return to The Magnetic after appearing as Helena in Indecent last summer. Regionally, Lara has appeared in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), Pirates of Penzance (Kate), 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), Gypsy (Agnes) with JoAnne Worley, Peter Pan (Lost Boy) with Cathy Rigby, Bye Bye Birdie (Helen), Cabaret (Texas), If I Forget (Ellen). Favorite Asheville performances include: The Odd Couple (Cecily), Avenue Q (Kate Monster), Dinner With Friends (Karen), Awake and Sing (Hennie), The Constant Wife (Marie-Louise), Speech & Debate (Jan), and most recently the North Carolina premiere of the Zoom play Couples (Cynthia). Lara is represented for Film/TV by Screen Artists Talent and you can follow Lara on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lara_hollaway/.
Grab your tickets for Dry Weather Wind on October 2nd, 2020 at 7:30 pm by clicking here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=116201