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Brüka Theatre’s The Yellow WallPaper
Actor & Director Interview
Brüka Theatre’s first Podcast “The Yellow Wallpaper” is now accessible through our website on the Bruka Bridge Podcast and on Bruka Theatre Of The Sierra Youtube Channel We hope you will take a moment and enjoy.
Brüka’s Producing Artistic Director Mary Bennett had the extreme pleasure of working with our team: Operations Manager Holly Natwora along side our Technical Director David Simpson on the The Yellow Wallpaper. We hope this is the first of many theatrically style podcasts for your listening pleasure. Mary then took a moment to interview Holly for our audiences.
MARY: Holly - it is such an honor to interview you for The Yellow Wallpaper, and an exceptional experience to be able to work with you as a director. We are truly blessed to have your artistry at Brüka and in our community. I'm hoping we can have a conversation that will open a window to our patrons to a bit of your process and passion as a theatre artist. How long have you been doing "live theatre"? Do you remember the first show that opened the door for you into this world?
HOLLY: My first experience with live theatre was in high school over 40 years ago but I have been actively pursuing a life in the theatre since the 90’s when I moved to NYC. Since then, I have acted in or directed over 70 shows including two summers at Joseph Papp’s Shakespeare in the Park, one tour in Berlin and the first NYC Fringe Festival.
The first show I ever saw was “Evita” starring Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone during it’s out of town tryouts in San Francisco when I was 15. I will never forget how completely blown away I was by the energy coming from the performers, washing over me and transporting me to a world I had never experienced before. It was total magic and I knew that moment I wanted to be a part of it.
MARY: We are so blessed you walked in the side door at Bruka and auditioned upon your Reno return and then joined our staff. You have done wonderful things for the business and the art. Brüka has been closed for a year due to Covid-19. You and I have thankfully been able to stay connected through our art and business. What are some revelations you have experienced during this year about theatre?
HOLLY: I completely understand now that theatre absolutely relies upon the exchange of energy between actors and audience. The magic that I spoke of before happens in the moment. You cannot capture it on film or zoom or even radio. The act of communion is sacred. Human beings need to gather together in groups and have a shared experience. Life is so much better when our hearts beat together and we breathe as one.
MARY: You directed The Yellow Wallpaper as a "Listening Play" for Brüka. You are such a "visual" director. Did anything stand out to you as an audio presentation that is different from live theatre?
HOLLY: The thing I find the most interesting about this project is how it engages the audiences’ imagination in a way that doesn’t happen in live theatre. It is very much the same way our minds create the images when we read a book. America is a very visual society. I dare say the younger generation reads less than a paragraph of text before becoming bored so their powers of imagination are not challenged in the same way as in the past. The audience has to be more active in their participation. I was also surprised that I still directed in a physical way with the voice, meaning I used tempo, duration, volume, repetition-similar to the way a conductor would guide his orchestra.
MARY: Like "Viewpoints" for the ears! I love it! I remember the first time I was given The Yellow Wallpaper, by my Mother. Experiencing the story truly changed my life, which I think she knew that it would. I was very young, had two small children and was really struggling with my place in the world, my passion for art and who I was. Being able to approach the story with you as a director brought a whole new experience and really allowed me the opportunity to embody the experience in a new, yet informed way. Thank you for that. What was your first experience with the material?
HOLLY: I remember reading it (The Yellow Wallpaper) in college, but I don’t remember why. I tend to be drawn to emotional, dramatic material so I’m sure I liked it. I have always had a fascination with strong women who become broken in some way, overcome by their emotional experience. Perhaps it is because I have bipolar disorder and mental illness runs through the women in my family.
MARY: And you have a deep understanding and empathy that really accentuates a characters journey. Then may I ask you personally, If there were no hindrances, and you could embark on any journey, what projects or journies are on your want list at the moment?
HOLLY: I have this incredible yearning to go to Europe and live for a while in Paris or London or Warsaw. Something about being a struggling artist in an attic somewhere and surviving on bread and cheese. I also want to direct a musical someday. I love “Threepenny Opera” and “Sweeny Todd”, and of course “Evita”.
MARY: You always inspire me so deeply. I wish I could keep you in my attic with just bread and cheese, but I don't have an attic and we already call that the "Sub-Bruka" experience. :). Thank you Holly for giving your heart, time and talent to this project.
HOLLY: Ditto. No, seriously, it is always amazing to work with you. Thank you for sharing your heart and breathe with me.
MARY: I am excited to turn the tables and direct YOU in Shirley Jackson's: The Lottery this May!
Holly Natwora is The Operations Director at Brüka Theatre. Her talents include management, directing, acting, teaching and relations. Holly teaches theatre at TMCC and has an incredible resume which includes as a Director: The Crucible, Stupid F*&king Bird, The Diary of Anne Frank, Dangerous Liaisons, Crank: Flirtin’ with the Monster, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Becket. As an Actor: Julius Caesar, Cymbeline, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?, A Doll’s House, Macbeth, The Three Sisters, Orpheus Descending, The Dresser, Dare to Fly: The Story of Amelia Earhart, Hamlet, Good People, Beyond Therapy, Miss Julie. TV & Film: Law & Order, Law & Order Criminal Intent, To Wong Foo…, My Life’s in Turnaround
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