Review Fix chats with playwright and director Melissa Skirboll who discusses what it’s been like to be a part of the Urban Stages upcoming 36 Hour Play Festival on March 15. Creating six plays in just 36 hours is no easy task, but Skirboll and the playwrights, directors and actors involved actually seem excited at the creative possibilities.
For more information, or to buy tickets for the production, click here.
Review Fix: Are you nervous? How are you feeling?
Melissa Skirboll: I’m not nervous – at least not yet! I’m a bit excited and have a sense of anticipation. I think you have to have a bit of an “Que Sera, Sera” attitude if you’re going to do something like this since you have so little control of the events leading up to it!
Review Fix: Have you done any improv or any other quick deadline writing that can help you do this well?
Skirboll: Yes I have done improv and I love it. When I first started writing it actually was an extension of my improv training – I was temping and a bit bored, so started to write with “yes and” as a goal. It got me through some long days and was pretty entertaining. I also have a bit of history as an actress coming in as a last minute replacement – I just did it again in October with “Things That go Bump in the Night”. I was directing one of the pieces, when we lost an actress in another, the day before we opened. The producer knew I memorized quickly and asked if I could go on in her place – I did and it was a ton of fun. More than a few credits on my acting resume are there because other directors knew I could pick something up and pull it off with a minimum of rehearsal – and in some ways I prefer that.
Review Fix: What made you get involved in this production?
Skirboll: Bara Swain, who’s been coordinating the event, asked and because I always love working with her, I had to say yes!
Review Fix: What has the experience been like?
Skirboll: So far I’m excited and really just eager to get started. Until the morning of the 14th, I won’t really know who I’ll be working with or what. We have a meet and greet scheduled at 9am where the playwrights/cast/directors will get matched up and the writing prompts. We directors have been asked to bring 3 random items – two of which need to be incorporated into the script! At noon the meeting is finished and the writer’s start writing. They have until 7 to finish the plays and get them to the actors and directors…and at 8 we start read-throughs and rehearsal! More rehearsal Sunday a.m., teche at 3 and curtain up at 7. It should be very fun.
Review Fix: What have you learned about yourself through all of this?
Skirboll: I do love flying by the seat of my pants!
Review Fix: How do you think it’ll help you moving forward?
Skirboll: Doing a project like this, where there is such limited time, I think will really distill the experience down to it’s essentials. Being able to focus in on what’s important, what’s necessary, what’s really entertaining. Being able to get there quickly can only help make future rehearsals for other projects more efficient and exciting!
Plus, so much of the “business” of theater is about the relationships you make and maintain. By continuing to say “yes” to the opportunities that come along is a great way to meet new people and continue to build relationships with those I’ve worked with in the past.
Review Fix: How do you want your production to affect people?
Skirboll: Well, since I don’t really know what the play(s) will be about yet I’ll stick to the basics – what I always hop happens in theater. I hope that if you come to the show you are entertained. Maybe make you laugh, or cry, or think a little differently about something.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Skirboll: I’ll be participating in the SWAN Day celebration at Abingdon Theater in April. Then I’m producing my one-act Blizzard: A Love Story at Planet Connections Theater Festivity in June. There may be a few other projects between April and June too!
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