A Benevolent Alliance of Mourners 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?
John Baldwin (Director): Just love the 3 plays and the actors that I am directing.
Matilyn Hull (Actor): I've admired The Magnetic Theatre's one act and sketch comedy shows for a while now, and I'm happy to get involved! I'm most excited to work with people I haven't had the opportunity to work with before.
Evan 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?
Matilyn Hull (Actor): I think it's important to produce new works and expose audiences to different stories, ideas, and viewpoints. As an actor, I enjoy working on new works because I have the chance to originate characters and help playwrights to see their works come to life.
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?
John Baldwin (Director): Because new theatre brings focus to things in this world that people need to know and care about.
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!
John Baldwin (Director): Three pieces and they are the ones to which I really wanted to be assigned.
Matilyn Hull (Actor): In A Benevolent Alliance Of Mourners, Alex and Ellie meet at a funeral, and through a short interaction, form a special bond. The script is sentimental and shows the humor and levity that can still be found in various stages of grief.
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?
John Baldwin (Director): The variety of both the plays and the acting.
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 have you loved so far about working with The Magnetic Theatre?
John Baldwin (Director): Always the people.
Matilyn Hull (Actor): The staff and actors at The Magnetic Theatre are multi-talented, often working in multiple facets of theatre, which I find inspiring. I have worked with so many kind, collaborative people at here who are committed to keeping creative process professional and really fun.
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): Everyone has continued to be professional and also a laugh riot simultaneously!!
How did you get into theatre?
John Baldwin (Director): Started in the 2nd grade and I was hooked!
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?
Matilyn Hull (Actor): Hiking Tennent Mountain, spending an evening at Little Jumbo Bar and Nine Mile Montford, antique shopping, Going for long walks (Historic Montford, Riverside Cemetery, Kimberly Avenue - Asheville is full of great spots to walk!), and seeing my friends in their shows.
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?
John Baldwin (Director): Directing “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Hendersonville Theatre next March.
Evan Eckstrom (Actor): Not yet, but I'll get the ball rolling again next calendar year.
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