Deborah Mitchell Journal

Deb, why you think we chose you for your role:
"I'm not really sure, but I hope I was chosen because you had confidence that I could embody the qualities that you imagined the character of Cariola to have. She is a mother figure, a simple woman of great caring and heart, a protector."

Articulate why YOU think you are a good choice and tell us what you feel you can bring to the role both in terms of your skills/training and also your "personal touch"
"I have a certain facility with speaking verse and I really love exploring text of this kind, and I have a keen imagination, an inquiring mind, and a big heart--all are needed for this role. It also helps that I am a mother, for Cariola is really a mother to the duchess, having been her nursemaid since her birth."

Tell us why critics might think you were a poor casting choice for the role.
"It has taken me years to silence the negative voices in my head that make me question my abilities and I am not willing to imagine what they might say now!"

What are you most looking forward to about playing this role?
"I jumped at the chance to play this role because I was keen to work with Bernard Hopkins and with so many people I have never worked with before."

What do you feel will be your greatest challenge in playing this role?
I don't have many lines but I am on stage for quite a few scenes; listening actively, in a fully-present way, reacting in the moment to the other actors and the dramatic situations, that is my greatest challenge. It takes a lot of energy and focus!

Following Malfi's run in February, please give us the details of your next project(s):
I will be playing Cassie in "Her Wake", May 26-28 and June 2-4, for Pacheco Theatre at The Arts Project on a double bill with a another one act play presented by Passionfool Theatre Company. We already presented this new Canadian comedy at a fundraising evening at The Palace Theatre in November. The response was electric--the best time I've had on stage... ever! Can't wait to do it again! I am also looking forward to playing Lady Macbeth alongside John Turner for Alvego Root's October production of "the Scottish play."

What do YOU think would be an interesting aspect of a theatre production to feature in the film? Knowing the public is largely ignorant of how these shows come together, what do you think would be the most valuable information/experience we could share with a viewer?

"Somehow I think it is important to convey that the actors, artistic staff and crew are all just regular people from various walks of life, who share a passion for theatre and come together to cook up something extraordinary that takes them beyond their everyday lives. Sometimes when I'm watching a production and I think about this, I tear up. The power of human beings to create is extraordinary. Also, on some level I'm also proud that, while I have a job and a family, I have managed all these years to keep my creative spirit alive by continuing to act, direct, and produce theatre. Most of my friends don't understand what drives me to spend so many nights out, when my life is already busy, but it feeds my soul. If I'm completely honest, there is also an element of approval-seeking going on that I'm not as proud of. But, hey, we humans are complicated!"

What do you want the public to know/understand about theatre
"I would want the public to understand that the work we do in creating a theatrical production is intellectual, psychological, emotional, collaborative, not always easy, and sometimes very exciting--it is an exploration of what it is to be human."

If you could guarantee that our auditorium audiences would leave changed by the experience of watching our production, what would you want that change to be?
"It would be great if people who thought they didn't like "old plays" would think: there is something here for me that I can connect with today."

Thanks Deborah!

Deborah Mitchell Journal - The Magic of Malfi

JordanMorris	Latest page update: made by JordanMorris , Jan 15 2011, 2:26 PM EST (about this update About This Update Edited by JordanMorris 5 images added view changes - complete history)
	Keyword tags: None More Info: links to this page

Threads for this page

Post a new thread

There are no threads for this page. Be the first to start a new thread.