But Where Would They Live? is one of our one act plays being produced in our upcoming One Act Play Festival! We reached out to some of the people who made this production possible to find out more about them and this exciting festival!
What about the One Act Festival are you the most excited about?
van Eckstrom (Actor): I can't wait to be part of the hubbub backstage while we transition between so many shows per evening!
Why is being a part of this project important to you?
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): Supporting the other people putting so much work into every technical and performative aspect of these shows.
Do you feel that producing new work is important? Why?
Lauren Otis (Actor): Yes! There are so many unique and talented voices out there that deserve to be read, seen and heard. New work is vital to ensure theatre stays fresh and continues to evolve.
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): Yes! It keeps live shows lively to bring voice to works and writers who haven't gotten the chance yet.
Tell us about the piece(s) you’re working on rehearsing for the One Act Play Festival!
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): I've been cast in 3. One is an encounter outside a funeral. One is set in a pet store. The last is set in a car line of parents waiting to pick up their kids. Lovely variety!
What's your favorite thing about the piece(s) you're working on?
Lauren Otis (Actor): Both of the pieces are so different, and I always love the opportunity to explore various themes and styles in short pieces like this. You get the chance to go big in a short period of time, which is fun.
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): Working with multiple directors during the same rehearsal process is pretty neat. I also love getting to perform with people in the community I haven't worked with yet.
What made you want to write this piece?
D.L. Siegel (Playwright): I love the challenge of telling a story with big feelings that has to be wrapped up in a neat 10 minutes, and it was so much fun to take an old adage and use it as the jumping off point for a play. 'A bird may love a fish, but where would they live?' (But really...where?)
Tell us about your writing process.
D.L. Siegel (Playwright): I'm inspired by myths, fairytales, folklore for everything I write. Sometimes a play starts with a single line or image, other times it's a refraction of a memory or a dream. I rarely start off knowing what genre I'm in, but if I can make the audience laugh a little while still feeling something real and significant, then I consider the play a success.
What have you loved so far about working with The Magnetic Theatre?
Lauren Otis (Actor): The people: warm, welcoming, inspiring, innovative, and just so cool.
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): Everyone has continued to be professional and also a laugh riot simultaneously!!
How did you get into theatre?
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): Elementary school kicked it off, then OKLAHOMA my freshman year of high school really sealed the deal.
What are your top 5 favorite things to do in Asheville?
Lauren Otis (Actor): Burger Bar karaoke, sunset drives on the Parkway, soccer and football at Olde London Road, Axeville, and seeing as much local theatre as possible!
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): In no particular order: Play pinball at Level 256, camp out in the wilderness with my honey and our dogs, drink coffee by the river at High Five, play volleyball with my frands, and cook elaborate dinners/breakfasts!
Do you have any upcoming projects we should check out?
Lauren Otis (Actor): I will be reprising my role of Lydia Wickham in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, AND The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley!
The Magnetic Theatre’s Third Annual One Act Play Festival will be showing November 4-13, 2022! Find out more and grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=magn