Two actors based in Campbell River are pivoting to directing in the Rivercity Players' upcoming production, One Acts 2024.
Dennis Hawkins-Bogle and Melony Larre are veterans of performing on the Rivercity Stage but are now trying something new. Hawkins-Bogle will direct Still Stands the House by Gwen Pharis Ringwood, a drama taking place in the Canadian prairies during the winter. The play is a psychological thriller, with a family struggling with the decision to sell the family farm.
The director saw the play around ten years ago in Williams Lake.
“This experience has been great,” says Hawkins-Bogle. “I have really enjoyed working with the cast and crew to bring this together. When we first started, I shared my vision and that I wanted this play to be a collaboration to build this together artistically. This is my first time directing, and I have really liked working with everyone.”
He explains that he likes to bring people into a process where they feel that they are part of something bigger and create as a team. He especially enjoyed seeing the actors portraying their characters and bringing them to life saying, “The dramatic tension and emotion is so good to watch.” He feels audiences will be moved and leave thinking about the human condition and motivations – why people do the things they do.
Larre is directing The Real Problem by Bruce Kane. Five women from Shakespearean plays get together to discuss love and men, which Larre describes as a satirical comedy.
“It is wildly funny,” she says. “A little bit sassy and a little bit eerie”.
Her first time as a director has been a great experience, she says.
“I have really enjoyed using my imagination,” said Larre. “When I read the play, it was almost like a movie. I could play out the scene in my mind, with ideas for music and costumes. It has been fun to see the set come alive and the cast develop into their characters.”
When asked what advice they would give to new directors, both agreed that it was important to know the play inside and out.
One Acts 2024 also includes the play Life Line by Douglas Craven and sketch comedy by the Dark Knight Players. The production runs at the Rivercity Stage on September 18, 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m. and September 21 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased at rivercityplayers.ca/buy-tickets. Warning: mature subject matter.
