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 Dwight Chiles who is featured in Treatment Play directed by Daniel Moore and written by Bret Murphy about what this experience has been like.
1. What are the challenges of performing under these circumstances?
My biggest challenge is now getting to actually watch myself perform! When you're onstage you go through the play start to finish. If shit happens, shit happens. But when you record the performance and then watch it back...ugh. you notice EVERYTHING. And as an actor/perfectionist...it can really make you crazy. So I just record it all at once and push send. Then I will go back and watch it, make notes for the next recording. But I try not to allow myself to get wrapped up in doing the "perfect take".
2. What have you found to be your biggest quarantine hobby?
The biggest quarantine hobby has been...painting and cooking. It has been nice to pull my paints back out. And I love to cook and now if you wanna eat...ya gotta cook, lol. Also, David and I have started studying a Shakespeare Sonnet once a week and that has been really great. Just to workshop some text with a friend. I have probably been in more contact with him than Asheville folks, and he is in Atlanta now!
3. What makes you most excited about the One Act Play Festival?
Just doing theatre! It has been so nice to memorize lines(ish) and get into character. Figure out a costume from my closet. Get direction. Ahhh. The good stuff.
4. What is your favorite line from the one-act you’re performing in and why?
Favorite line...hmmm...well, this is a 9-page monologue so...there are A LOT of lines. Fave would be..."Would you rather be cooked in a tub of boiling water or would you try to make a run for it and get burned alive?" As for why...you will have to watch the show to figure that out.
5. What makes this experience special for you?
I really don’t know when I will get to be on a stage with my friends again. The "work" is a huge part of what defines us as artists. 3 months ago we were told we couldn't do the "work" anymore. But we have found ways. And we continue to brainstorm and figure out new ways to make sure we can continue the "Work". I am very thankful full to be doing this Festival with the Magnetic and look forward to figuring how to do whatever is next.
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