PBTS: Can you share your vision for “The Revolutionists” and how you plan to bring it to life on stage?

JT: To bring “The Revolutionists” to life on stage, my vision focuses on capturing the play’s vibrant mix of humor, drama, and historical context.

By developing strong, nuanced portrayals, the actors can effectively convey the historical significance and individual complexity of each character

My direction aims to maintain a playful yet respectful tone, ensuring that the humor complements the play’s serious themes. The style is a blend naturalistic acting with moments of theatrical exaggeration to highlight the play’s comedic and dramatic contrasts

The production strives to engage the audience through direct address and breaking the fourth wall where appropriate, making historical events and characters feel immediate and relevant.

By focusing on these elements, the goal is to create a production that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging, capturing the essence of Gunderson’s play while resonating with contemporary audiences.

 

PBTS: What drew you to direct this particular play?

JT: I have loved this play since I first read it in the Fall of 2019. I was immediately drawn to the characters, the historical aspect of the show, and the message. Nothing is better than women taking charge to create their own destiny and fight for the rights of others. On top of all that it stands for, it’s witty and funny. It can make you laugh so hard you cry and then cry so hard you laugh. The arc of the story and the individual characters is something that is so fascinating to me.

 

PBTS: How do you see the themes of “The Revolutionists” resonating with contemporary audiences?

JT: The themes of empowerment and gender I feel will resonate with contemporary audiences especially now with the time that we live in. The play highlights the struggles and contributions women faced in a time where their voice is also marginalized. I think often about the women that have paved the way to advance our society and the work it took for their voice to be heard. The plays discussion of revolution compare to society today with movements. It will prompt reflection on the cost of progress and the complexities of achieving a goal.

 

PBTS: How are you balancing the historical aspects of the play with its comedic and dramatic elements?

JT: We have done quite a bit of character work to bring these characters to life. I have encouraged the cast to do research on their characters to get a better grasp of what they were fighting for. With that in mind, we have been able to infuse those goals into the display of the character. They get to have witty banter and dialogue, but it is rooted in truth. The play integrates historical scenarios with comedic elements, using the absurdities and contradictions of revolutionary politics as a source of humor.

 

PBTS: How do you hope audiences will respond to the play? What do you want them to take away from it?

JT: I think audiences will love this play. How it is written will aid to the enjoyment of the production. I do hope that they take away the message of the piece. The story of these women and the changes they made that have affected our everyday lives. I find myself in the present thinking about our current climate and how so many people before me, who have voiced and fought for me to be where I am at. I truly hope once they watch this show, they go home and do research on these women because the history that each woman has is rich and intriguing.

 

PBTS: Are there any specific influences or inspirations that have shaped your approach to directing this play?

JT: Staying true to Gunderson’s script and its unique blend of humor and drama is crucial. Understanding her intentions and how she balances historical accuracy with theatrical creativity will guide the direction.

 

PBTS: Can you give us a glimpse into a typical day of rehearsal?

JT: A typical day of rehearsal starts at 6:30pm. I love beginning a rehearsal with a “Check-in.” This allows us to not only bond as a production, but allows us to relax and breathe before we jump into the work. We discuss our day, how we are feeling, and anything we feel comfortable with sharing. We usually lay on the floor and breathe to get into the right headspace depending on what we are working on that day in rehearsal. Then we jump into the work. We waste no time in the rehearsal room. This is a great show with great pacing, so blocking is a massive part of ensuring the timing is correct. The cast is very collaborative, so we discuss characters and motivations throughout.

 

PBTS: How has directing “The Revolutionists” differed from your previous directing experiences?

This production is only my second production with adults. I am a high school drama teacher, so my time is occupied directing shows with teenagers. My students are extremely talented, but I spend a lot of time guiding them to make choices in their characters, whereas with this cast, they came ready to explore and take chances. If something doesn’t work then we table it, but for the most part their willingness to take a risk or make a mistake is usually spot on with what I am looking for.