Anatomy of a Theater Company

co Artistic Director Chad Beckim discusses The Bereaved with playwright Thomas Bradshaw

Chad Beckim, playwright and co-founder of Partial Comfort Productions, conducts a new episode of Playwrights In Conversation as he introduces Thomas Bradshaw whose newest work, The Bereaved will be produced shortly by the company. Thomas is a new member of the company.

Chad and Thomas have known each other for quite a while, first as fellow teachers at Brooklyn College and later as collaborators and fellow playwrights. Chad leads Thomas easily into a discussion of what the play is about and then how Thomas came to work with Partial Comfort. The two talk about Thomas’ previous works and how they work together to make the important decisions about the play and the production. Molly Pearson, also co-founder of the company, is given lots of credit for her part in bringing the play to fruition.

Most interesting is the insight we receive about the difference in self-producing, as Thomas had done frequently in the past, and producing with and as part of an ensemble theatre company.

(Cross posted from NYtheatrecast.com)

Interview

The Bereaved runs September 2 - 26 at 8 pm

The Wild Project
195 E. 3rd Street b/w Aves A & B
$15 tickets &
PAY WHAT YOU CAN WEDNESDAYS!

visit www.thewildproject.com for advance reservations

Member Interviews # 2 - Maria Christina Oliveras

 Okay, here we are with week 2 of the Partial Comfort member interviews!

Name:  Maria-Christina Oliveras
Occupation: Actor
 
How long have you been a member of Partial Comfort? Since 2004

How did you initially find out about Partial Comfort?

A friend/colleague referred me to Robert for an early developmental reading of “MATTER OF CHOICE.”  I subsequently saw Sam’s play, “WHICH WOLF IS WHICH?”

What made you decide you wanted to be a member?

The work and the people:   I loved “…CHOICE,” (finally, a play that actually reflected the DIVERSE, often harsh yet potentially joyous REALITY of our world!) and after getting to know Chad and Molly while assistant directing “PLAY,” it was a no-brainer.  In the midst of this crazy, fickle business, there’s no place like home. 

When people ask you why you want to be a member of an ensemble, what do you usually tell them?

To me, theater is synonymous with ensemble--collaboration is vital.  Everyone should be on board to tell the story clearly, truthfully, and with a sense of joy and generosity.  Ultimately, the play should have the biggest ego in the room.  To be a part of a steady ensemble developing *new, interesting vital* work with people I trust, respect and admire is the ideal playground for me.

What are some projects (readings, workshops, plays) that you've enjoyed working on within the company?

I've been out of town quite a bit, but no matter what project I am in the midst of, I always carve out some time for the retreats.  The developmental process is the most exciting and interesting for me: new pages hot off the press, engaging in a dialogue, improvising and experimenting to explode open the work with fearless artists who are game for anything—it is amazing what emerges.

One of my favorite moments during the one of the retreats was:
Chad was struggling to find a title for his new piece.  Robert was going through which stage directions should be read.  The first stage direction of the piece was "Lights rise on Grace…" and Robert said, "I think you have your title." Hence, a beautiful new play was christened.

What do you find inspiring/exciting about being a company member?

Seeing how much we’ve grown together over the years and the ease with which we work, play, and spar.  Also, I am constantly blown away by everyone in the company, both professionally and personally— not only do we have extraordinary actors, directors, writers and designers, but we have members producing, fundraising, running education programs, running their own companies, entering parenthood, teaching, balancing careers and family —it is truly astonishing and humbling!

What do you find challenging and/or what have you learned?

I wish we had more time and resources to collaborate more frequently.  Never take anything personally.

Talk a little bit about the professional relationships you've formed as a part of this company.

PCP has facilitated amazing opportunities for me. Fredo asked me to be a part of a project which resulted in my signing with my agent.  Robert referred me to Chay, and I subsequently got to work with him on Jose Rivera’s new play at the Huntington.  Frank and I have worked together countless times (most recently at PRTT and Baltimore Centerstage)...the list goes on and on.   I am constantly looking to collaborate with PCP’ers, and whenever someone asks me for a referral, the company is the first place I look.

What projects (with the company or outside of the company) have you recently worked on or do you have lined up? 

I was finally inducted into the Law & Order franchise.  Earlier this summer, I did a run off-Broadway of NIGHT SKY, directed by Daniella Topol.  Currently, I’m in the midst of playing Joanne in RENT at the Hangar, directed by Devanand Janki.

What would you like people to know about Partial Comfort?Any additional thoughts/comments about any aspect of the company/being a member/other members/NYC theater/etc. 

Go see THE BEREAVED!

MEMBER INTERVIEWS. NUMBER 1.

So, I've decided to conduct mini "interviews" (more like questionnaires) with each of our company members. I'll just randomly select a different member each week and post these updates each Friday.

Our website is clearly meant to offer basic information about the company, our productions, our bios, event information, etc. This blog, on the other hand, was created in an attempt to explore and discuss why we are all in Partial Comfort together.

I am very proud of the ensemble that we have become, and of the mutual respect that we share for each other. I know that I'm going to enjoy reading these interviews each week, and I hope that you will too.

- Molly

To kick it off we'll start with ...

Name: Alexander Alioto

Occupation: Actor

How long have you been a member of Partial Comfort?

 I have been a proud standing member of PCP since 2006

How did you initially find out about Partial Comfort? What made you decide you wanted to be a member?

I have known Chad for ten years now. One of my oldest and dearest New York friends.  We were at The Flea together. I secretly envied the work you guys were doing and so in 2005 approached Chad and asked him what I could do to become a part of this fabulous little thing. He told me to hang around, help out and be a presence and we would see what happened. I did, and the rest as they say...

When people ask you why you want to be a member of an ensemble, what do you usually tell them?

Collaboration. It's why I'm an actor. It's, without a shadow of a doubt the most exhilerating aspect of being an actor for me. Sitting in a room with other like minded artists creating the shit out of this thing. I find that oddly thrilling.

What are some projects (readings, workshops, plays) that you've enjoyed working on within the company? 

My two productions - three if you count Lights Rise on Grace at the Fringe, which was a co-production that PCP did. The plays were fabulous, the roles were once in a lifetime, the cast were already great friends of mine, the directors (Kip Fagan and Robert O'Hara) were two of my favorite directors I have ever worked with, and the words I was allowed to play with were almost criminally good. It's fun when, as an actor, the words and the people around you do most of the work, and all you have to do is be in the present and let it flow. That's what acting is meant to be and on its best days that is exactly what it is. I had that big time in Nelson, Main(e) Play and Grace. In spades.

What do you find inspiring/exciting about being a company member? What do you find challenging and/or what have you learned?

Being around other actors and directors and playwrights. Going up on retreat and hashing out these new works and finding things as we go in that collaborative setting. I'm telling you man, that shit gets me off big time. I'd say if there's a challenge it's sort of inherent in a bunch of artists being thrown together. We can be a volatile bunch, most certainly when career comes into play. Feelings can be hurt, fear can be manifested, it's the nature of the game and it becomes amplified sometimes in an ensemble setting. Nature of the beast.

Talk a little bit about the professional relationships you've formed as a part of this company. Invaluable. Artistic relationships I will have for the rest of my life.  Can't stress that one enough and to elaborate too much will cheapen the importance of it. It's been HUGE for me.

What projects (with the company or outside of the company) have you recently worked on or do you have lined up?

Working on a webisode with a couple friends of mine which will be super fun. Going to Berkeley Rep to workshop something next month. Other than that, I really ain't got shit.  Anyone hiring?

What would you like people to know about Partial Comfort?

That we LOVE what we do and that this love always translates to what the audience sees.