Review Fix chats with Kristine Niven who discusses her new production, “Buried in Time.â€
About the Production:
Kristine Niven’s BURIED IN TIME will be presented by A.N.D. Theatre Company, running April 26 – May 7.
In BURIED IN TIME, Charlotte Donohue returns home to Guthrie, PA, population 6000, for the funeral of her father. She meets her high school/college boyfriend, his niece, and a childhood mentor. As they prepare for the funeral, we discover everyone has something to bury, put to rest, or uncover.
This production is performing “without a net,” here’s why: The script has been given to 5 teams of directors and actors. The directors have cast the play with a team of five actor/improvisors and each team has rehearsed the play in their own unique way. At no time during rehearsal will the separate casts communicate with each other. For each performance, one actor/character from each team will perform. Actors are kept isolated from each other and meet one another in character – for the first time on stage.
25 performances by 25 different casts… every night an opening night! Without a Net! Bet you can see just one. Get tickets here. Donate to our Indiegogo campaign here.
Schedule: Mon-Saturday, 7p & 9p; Saturday & Sunday, 3pm at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th floor, NYC.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Joan Kane: I analyze the script and conceptualize my approach to it from the point of view of being the audience’s advocate. What needs to happen to get this story across in an entertaining way? Then I work with the designers and actors to deliver that vision on the stage.
Review Fix: What makes this [play] different or special?
Kane: This play is about coming home again. I think that is universal in that most people have the experience of returning to where they grew up and finding themselves feeling somewhat like a foreigner. That happens to many of us, but how that works is completely different for each of us because of our individual uniqueness and our own complicated relationships to the people and places that once defined our homes.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Kane: This particular show was a real treasure for me because the people I got to work with were all so professional and pleasant. That does not happen on every project. Most shows have some folks that are great and some that are not so much fun. This one was thumbs up all the way.
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of something like this?
Kane: It feels great. I find it a little tough to explain how the actors do not know from performance to performance who will be on stage with them until they get there. The normal process of rehearsals for this show was very satisfying because all of my cast are good friends and the people in the crew that were new to me were a joy to work with.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?
Kane: This is my first time working with Artistic New Directions and I hope the relationship will continue to grow. I just love creating theatre and always will. I hope to work with more resources as opportunities permit, but my soul roots will always be in New York City independent theatre.
Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?
Kane: The “hook” of this project is that the actors know their lines and characters and have rehearsed blocking, but they do not know what the other actors are going to do. That is real life. You know what you are thinking, but not what anybody else is. I think the audiences will like the potential for awkwardness that can happen at any moment.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Kane: I am scheduled to direct Finishing the Suit by Lawrence Aronovich in a festival here in New York this summer. I will direct Moonage Daydream written and performed by Mary Monahan in the FringeArts festival in Philadelphia September 19 to 23. I will also direct One Woman by Cecilia Copeland in the United Solo festival November 5.
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