Macb - Experience2

Reneé O'Connor in Macbeth

My Experience, Part II - 7/6/02

I have just now returned from my third viewing of "the Scottish play," and my head is splitting. So much information, so much to process, so little time to do it before my memory goes caplooee!

This evening, I embarked on a mission: to obtain an interview with Reneé. Which I got! However, in the attempt, I ended up talking with and interviewing several other individuals, three actors and the director at length, and a few more during the meet and greet to offer congratulations. Only three did I audio record, which I've written out and put on separate pages (read on). Here, I will do my best to relay my experiences of the evening as a whole:

I arrived a good 3 hours before curtain - with the hope of catching Reneé early enough to offer up my request. As a result, I was there before the actors and crew. Therefore, 1) I got a good seat - 3rd row center (yes, the first two rows, center, were already filled!), and 2) I was able to watch everyone arrive and build the set. However, before that started, the first arrivals congregated on the stage, waiting for the others. The actor who plays Macduff, Kent, was one of them. Last weekend he struggled with a severely hoarse voice both nights I saw the show. At the time, I worried that with all the yelling he had to do, he was seriously hurting himself. So tonight, I took the opportunity to go up and ask him about it.

He explained that during one of the tech rehearsals he blew out his voice while doing one of his yelling scenes. He originally thought that in a few days, it would heal, but with the weekend performances, his voice wasn't given time to mend. He apologized to me for not having a voice last time, and assured me that with the full week of rest he had his voice back. He has a very nice, deep voice that has a slight raspy quality to it anyway, but I could definitely hear a difference. Tonight I heard a much more healthy voice.

We then continued talking about acting Shakespeare. He marveled that this was the third time I had come, but I simply said, "Well, I came for Reneé." He smiled, "Oh you're a fan of hers?" I nodded. He continued, "I don't get to work with her much, just a moment in passing... but she's great." I then added that I'm also an actor, who loves Shakespeare, and that this is such a fascinating play; I want to study it more. We talked about the character of Macb and how some people mistakenly see him as a villain or evil. However, as Kent pointed out, he could easily see his character, Macduff, doing the very same things if he were put into that situation. I commented how it's important for the actor to know what it is they are saying in order for the audience to be able to understand as well. I noted how well Patrick, the actor playing Macb, uses the words as well as his physicality to relay the meaning to the audience. Kent mentioned his scene with Taso, who plays Malcolm, and how at one point they had to stop fretting over the words and just "do it!" - focusing on the emotions of the scene. He said with great enthusiasm that he and Taso have gotten to a point where they are interrupting each other. "It's an argument!" he declared. And the trick is to make it as natural as possible. I watched that scene tonight a little more closely and could see exactly what Kent was talking about. They do a wonderful job with it.

While we were jabbering away, I off-handedly noticed a few other actors arrive behind me, only to catch a glimpse of red hair turning the corner towards the side of the building. Reneé had walked up in back of me, been greeted by Patrick, and the two of them were heading off to get ready. HA! So engrossed was I in my discussion with Kent, that I missed my opportunity to ask Reneé for my interview. Nevertheless, I made a lovely new friend in Kent, who was a delight to chat with. I let him go back to his Subway dinner and went to my seat to think of another way to get Reneé's attention.

After a few minutes, I decided to take a walk and see what would present itself. Low and behold, as I walked the perimeter of the park, taking in the beautiful views of the ocean, I discovered that Reneé and Patrick were off a ways, talking under a tree. Not wanting to intrude on their pre-show preparations, I kept my distance and continued my walk. As I returned to the theatre area, some minutes later, I noticed that the two of them had broken off their discussion and were heading back to the building. "Here's my chance!" I told myself. So, with a deep breath, I walked over to them. They had started talking with another actor, so I paused and waited for a break in the conversation. Suddenly, Reneé looked at me with questioning eyes. I apologized for interrupting, and with a slight shake in my voice said, "but I was wondering if I could get an interview with the two of you for my website." (The "two" meaning her and Patrick.) They looked at each other, a bit surprised and nonplused; no doubt, not knowing what to say to this complete stranger. "... at some point, when you're available. I don't want to interrupt--" I stressed. "Actually, I could give you five minutes now," she offered. My heart jumped a beat. Now?? *gulp* I tried to tell them that I didn't mean right then. I didn't want to intrude on their preparations, but Reneé explained that she wouldn't have time later. "What website is it?" she suddenly inquired. "I'm with The Tavern Wall," I said shyly. "Oh, right." Does she actually remember me from last week? She certainly remembers the TW. Woohoo! I'm in! Thanks guys!!! (Ok, so the TW is not my site, but I did all of this for you, my beautiful TW family. So, I hope you don't mind my little white lie, Netgyrl.

) She suggested that she could spare five minutes now, and maybe Patrick could give five minutes after that. Patrick agreed and headed to the theatre building to help set up the stage. "If that works for you. Do you have what you need... a recorder or something?" I said I did, thanked her, and scurried off to get my tape recorder and notes.

Click here for Reneé's interview.

Click here for Patrick's interview.

After the interviews with Reneé and Patrick, my head was spinning! I walked back to my seat thinking, "HA! I did it!! ... HA! ... Oh my god!" Then immediately I started racking my brain to remember every detail, but realized that once again, it was all like a dream. So surreal! Did that just really happen to ME?! Shit! Why didn't I pay more attention to her! Why didn't I let myself just LIVE the moment. Be in that moment and time with no other thoughts or worries. I was so frelling glued to that damn notebook, trying so hard to get out all of my questions ... to be calm and articulate ... Time was ticking, after all. I was interrupting her work, intruding on her time! Nevertheless, she gave that time to me. Out of the kindness of her gracious and generous heart, she gave me five minutes of her precious time. (To be honest, it turned out to be more like ten. Sorry Reneé!)

THANK YOU RENEÉ!!! YOU ARE A GODDESS!

As I sat and pondered all these things and more, Anna Andersen, a tall, beautiful woman, came up on stage and announced that SBTS's educational outreach programs for kids are still going strong and that some of the instructors were in the back booth to provide information for anyone interested. I recognized her name as the director of Macb, and since Patrick and Reneé spoke so highly of their experience working with her, I thought it would be nice to get a picture of her to share with you folks. I scouted her out, introduced myself, congratulated her on the show and asked if I could get a picture. She apologetically informed me that she's just the director and that that decision isn't hers to make. I smiled in sheepish amusement, touched her arm and corrected her, "No, I mean your picture... to post on my website. Would you mind?" She laughed in surprise and embarrassment, "No, not at all." She posed and I snapped a picture. I thanked her, to which she replied, "Oh sure, with my tea and everything." I assured her the picture would be fine, thanked her again, and went on my merry way.

A little while later, Anna came over and knelt down next to me, and asked me how I knew she was the director. I told her I had read her name in the program and that she told us her name in her earlier announcement. "Oh, right." She got embarrassed again and protested, "Still, I don't know why they'd want to see a picture of me." I insisted that it would be greatly appreciated. She smiled and gave me an "Ok, if you say so" look while going back to her seat. Then after a couple minutes, it dawned on me how great it would be to get her perspective on the show ... the choices she made ... working with Reneé, etc. Therefore, I went over to her and asked if I could interview her at intermission. She agreed, and I went back to my seat for the pre-show activities, ecstatic at my good fortune this day.

I hurriedly scribbled down some questions, watched and participated in the pre-show, and during the first half, noted a couple more topics to ask Anna, regarding specific elements in the play that caught my eye. Then at intermission I found Anna and we went off to a quieter spot in the park and had a wonderful interview that took up all fifteen minutes of the intermission.

Click here for Anna's interview.

The show on this night was very dynamic... more so than last week. The actors are definitely getting more comfortable in their roles. They are filling them out more. There's a greater understanding coming through from everyone. I ended up noting Patrick's performance in particular. After talking with him about his approach and ideas on Macb, I gained a better appreciation for his work on stage. His interpretation is curious and unexpected upon first view, but this time I got it. His flare for the language is obvious, and his use of gestures and mannerisms - the whole physicality he creates for the role - is very affective in pointing out the meaning of the words. Quite enjoyable to watch!

It was also fun watching Reneé and noting the differences in her performances... in attitude and energy, line readings, physical business. Watching Xena eps over and over is great, but you're always watching the same performance. But with this, each performance is different. It's wonderful to see new things each time!

After the show, I didn't bother Reneé again. I instead made the rounds of the rest of the cast. I found Patrick, who greeted me with a big smile and a hug (what a sweetie!), and I thanked him again for the interview. He said it was a pleasure and I promised I'd be back to see the show again. I then gave my, "Great show. I really enjoyed it," salutations to several of the supporting players; commenting to a few how much fun they seemed to be having up there and that I so wanted to join them. One even offered an invitation, "There's so many of us up there... who would notice?"

I found Kent, who eyed me in the crowd and smiled. I pointed at him as I approached, "Your voice is back! Very nice." We laughed, and he asked me how the show compared to last week. I enthused about the higher energy levels, to which he countered that he thought they were sluggish at times. I assured him, however, that they may have started out a little off, but it quickly picked up speed and was very exciting to watch. It was like seeing the show for the first time. A lot of new things were being done in certain line readings, physical business and the like. I commented that the understanding thing he and I had talked about earlier was coming through much stronger than last week. However, I attributed that to first weekend nerves. He heartily agreed. He asked if I would be back next week and I confessed that I didn't know. It depends on whether I can get any of my friends to bring me. I rented a car to come last week and this. He was shocked, "You rented a car to come here? You really are a fan [of Reneé's]." I just nodded, "Yup." As I was about to take my leave of him, he thanked me for coming and hoped to see me again. Very dear man!

As I turned to go to my last victim (

), I was headed off by Anna, who asked about my website, so I gave her the address. ("Hi Anna!"

)

Last, but not least, I went to talk to Taso (Malcolm) again, whom I chatted with last week. As I made my way towards him, he saw me and got a look of intense thinking on his face. "Sally?" he pointed at me. "Sarah. But very close. Good for you." I teased. He introduced me to Shauna, one of the witches, whom he was talking to. "Sarah's an actor, too," he explained. "This is her second time here." "Third." I corrected. Shauna marveled at this as Betsy, the other female witch, joined us. "You guys were really popping tonight," I gushed. "I picked up on things I didn't get last time. Each time I see it I understand more and more. You guys are great!" To this, Taso grabbed me in a shoulder hug, "I love her!" Then he turned to me, "You didn't come to the class. I want you to come. We can work together." I then asked him for more info about the acting classes he had recommended to me last week. He highly praised the acting coach there, saying that it's classically based and that he is very gentle and supportive. Taso prefers the smaller, intermediate class to that of the bigger advanced class. As a result, he's been taking the former for several years. You get to do more scenes that way, he said. Needless to say, he sold me on the idea. He then inquired as to my repeated attendance to the show. I told him I was a fan of Reneé. "You like Reneé, huh? Xena and all that, right?" I nodded. "Who was she? A sidekick or something... Was she the villain?" I said no, she was the other star of the show. "Who was the blonde? The one with the short hair?" he asked. I smiled and pointed to Reneé. "That was her." "That was HER. Oh." It was very amusing. We then said our farewells and he turned to be greeted by Anna, while I made my way back to the stage area.

I took a moment to simply watch the remains of Reneé's fans in line waiting patiently for the autographs and photos. Before the show, I over heard a woman wondering if Reneé was getting annoyed by the fact that she was separated from the rest of the cast after the show, and not in on the discussions about the play. For Reneé it had become all about the Xena fans. It made me think, "Is that the price of fame?" As I watched her, I recalled this notion, yet couldn't help but love Reneé all the more for being so gracious and patient with everyone. A sweet smile on her face, a kind and appreciative word for each person... A Goddess! As I headed out, the Xena fan, Honey, who had posed the question of Reneé's possible annoyance, caught me and asked what all the interviewing I'd been doing was for. I explained about my growing expose on the show. She asked, "How did you get an interview with Reneé?" "I asked," answered I. "You've got guts. Good on ya!" she exclaimed.

Well, I've got something, that's for sure. Don't know where it came from. Something just came over me the other day, and my path was set. I opened myself up to the Universal energies, and grabbed any and all opportunities presented to me... "come what may." Not only did I get to talk one on one with the goddess herself, but I was also fortunate to meet and talk with four other very talented and wonderful individuals.

My deepest thanks and love to Patrick, Anna, Kent and Taso! You all ROC!

And once again... Reneé, you may never read this, or even know or understand the gift you gave me this day, but I will forever be in your debt. Thank you!

With Love, Sarah

P.S. I can now die a happy person.