Front Row Reviewers Interview
Interview with Beth Bruner, Silent Sky‘s director
Front Row Reviewers (FRR): What is the most creative way you can think of to summarize the plot of Silent Sky?
Beth Bruner (BB): For every woman who’s been told not to use all of her brains. For every man who’s ever fallen in love. For every sister who’s ever been left behind. Oh, and they’re mapping the sky. And it’s funny.
FRR: If you had to describe the process of putting on this show with one word, what would it be and why?
BB: Exhilarating. This cast is so intelligent and so willing to dig into the minutia of every line!
FRR: What is the most wonderful thing you’ve learned while working on this production?
BB: How wonderful it is to have a costume designer with a true concept and the time and energy to build those costumes.
FRR: What do you do right before each performance to get ready? Right after each performance?
BB: Before a performance I try to leave the actors alone so they can do their own individual process. After, I try to connect to everyone to let them know how great they are.
FRR: What is your favorite inside-joke from the show? Quote/line? Costume? Set piece? Etc.
BB: The Little Mermaid is rehearsing upstairs. One of the leading lady’s lines is a crowing “and I hear there’s lobster!” One night as soon as she said it the words “under the sea” came floating down from above.
FRR: What is your favorite aspect of this production?
BB: Honestly everything. The history, the actors, the amazing painter who did our floor (Corie Sorensen), the stunning lights (David Bruner), the beautiful costumes (Cheryl Cripps Richardson).
FRR: Tell us about your cast.
BB: These five actors have blended so well. They are all SO much fun to work with, and they have created realistic relationships. And they each have a wonderful sense of the comedic, so we’ve brought out a lot of laughs.
FRR: What is your background and training as a director?
BB: I earned an Honors B.A. in directing, playwrighting, and theater history back in the dark ages (in Ohio). In Utah I’ve been directing for 30 years, from Box Elder County down to Utah Valley. This is my 91st full production.
FRR: What is the biggest challenge of directing in general?
BB: Getting the right production team, designers, and cast. If you have those, everything else will fall into place.
FRR: What is the biggest challenge of directing this show?
BB: Ignoring the places where the playwright changed the history. I always try to be thorough in my research, and once I was done, I had to set aside some of the things I knew to live in the world of the script. But the scientific stuff is all accurate!
FRR: What are the surprises and delights you’re finding in directing this show?
BB: Almost everything. To quote a friend who saw a dress, “I knew they could act, but I didn’t know they could ACT!” I have an incredibly talented bunch of actors and designers who I knew were great, but have stepped up their game to magnificent and it’s just been a delight at every turn.
Silent Sky is playing at the Empress Theater in Magna. See website for more info.
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