During our first annual One Act Festival on June 19th, we’ll be hosting a live viewing party where you'll see a variety of new one act plays performed live, video recorded, or audio recorded.
We reached out to a few of the actors of The Opposite of Entropy directed by Jessica Johnson and written by Terran Wanderer about what this experience has been like.
Matt Edwardsen
1. What are the challenges of performing under these circumstances?
Not feeling that amazing connection and energy of a live audience.
2. What have you found to be your biggest quarantine hobby?
Puzzles and Film/TV watching. (I know...not very original)
3. What makes you most excited about the One Act Play Festival?
Exploring a newer way to present theatre and excited to see how it is received!
4. What is your favorite line from the one-act you’re performing in?
"It is important to remember that our ways of perception are not inherently better just because they are familiar."
5. What makes this experience special for you?
It's my first experience working with the Magnetic! What a unique and special memory of what are hope are many more to come.
Biography
Since moving to the Asheville area in late 2018, he has had the pleasure to perform in productions of Avenue Q, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder!, The Humans, Dinner with Friends, and Miracle at Bedford Falls. While starting off as a theatre and musical theatre performer, much of his professional career was spent in opera across the US and Europe. He is represented for Film/TV by Screen Artists Talent and looks forward to the continued Asheville adventure!
Gabrielle (Gabby) Bailey
1. What are the challenges of performing under these circumstances?
The biggest challenge would have to be making sure that chemistry reads through virtual rehearsals. When you are together rehearsing its easy to bounce off of each other with body language and more subtle voice cues than you can use while meeting virtually. All of the feeling has to be communicated through the voice in an exaggerated way in order for it to translate through the computer speakers.
2. What have you found to be your biggest quarantine hobby?
Honestly, I've been hula hooping. Maybe more, just, Dancing. I've been dancing and moving way more. I'm getting more confident and sure in my performance movement through it. That's for sure.
3. What makes you most excited about the One Act Play Festival?
Getting to work on any project is, honestly, so exciting. I had a very full season scheduled, my first full-year in fact, and the Pandemic wiped out everyone's 2020 season. It was a tragedy for so many of us who use the arts as our life and expression. Getting this offer was a little sign from the universe that a canceled on-stage season doesn't mean complete lack of performance.
4. What is your favorite line from the one-act you’re performing in and why?
"I just want you to know what it feels like to bring life into this world."
Because... Of things. You'll have to wait and listen.
5. What makes this experience special for you?
I am so grateful to be able to take a step into more serious and dark rolls. I get to work with people from the theatre community that I have seen and loved on-stage, but hadn't worked with yet. Its kind of like working with some of my "mini-idols," as I am still pretty new to the Asheville Theatre scene. Also getting to be directed by one of the best stage-managers I've ever gotten to work with. Jess Johnson is a badass. I love her.
Biography
Gabrielle (Gabby) Bailey is a local actress who has starred in shows like "Robin Hood: A Quest for Justice," (Montford, 2019) and "Speech and Debate," (Attic Salt, 2019). An aspiring writer and performer, she prefers to work on projects that make people question their sanity. She enjoys long walks on the beach, and scraping gum off of table bottoms.
Locksley Blanckard
1. What are the challenges of performing under these circumstances?
The challenges - limited cast interaction. Toward the end I felt I was just getting to know everyone.
2. What have you found to be your biggest quarantine hobby?
Catching up on shows and performances I have wanted to read or see.
3. What makes you most excited about the One Act Play Festival?
To see and hear how others have adapted to this new way of producing work.
4. What is your favorite line from the one-act you’re performing in?
“First words are so cliche, don’t you think? You can tell yours to the rats.”
5. What makes this experience special for you?
Starting with a new community of artists who are passionate about keeping theater accessible during this time of need.
Biography
Locksley is happy to be back doing work here in Asheville having previously been in Nemesis Theatre's production of Coriolanus back in February and Montford Park Player's production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. He grew up in Southern Pines, NC and studied acting at UNC Chapel Hill and then spent 8 years living in New York City. Happy to be living in the mountains and doing what he loves again, Locksley would like to thank his parents Roger and Sandy for their constant love and support and Lauren who is the best life partner a man could ever have.
Tickets are now on sale for our upcoming One Act Play Festival on June 19th! Grab yours here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=114699