Behind the Show with Cast & Crew of 'The Brothers Grimm: Spectaculathon'

Eastport Arts Center is abuzz with Stage East's latest—The Brothers Grimm: Spectaculathon. We're pleased to present some 'behind the show' Q&A's with cast and crew members.

Zachary Davis is challenged by narrator Brian Schuth in 'his big scene.' Photo by Manuela Brice.

Zachary Davis, cast member & Juniper Davis, stage hand

So this was your first time acting in a play. Could you share a little about how it’s been to do this?

Zach: Being my first production, I expected to be treated as an inferior, like most professions or roles I have taken on throughout life. However, it was quite refreshing and a relief to be so welcome and equal in Stage East, and have enjoyed being a part of GRIMM, working with all the cast & crew, as well as looking forward to my future with Stage East! 

Juniper, how has it been working backstage?

Juniper: I am enjoying it and having so much fun, and like working with all the cast and crew of Stage East. I'm glad they gave me the opportunity!

How has the process been for each of you? Seeing it come from just words on a page to live theater with an audience?

Juniper: Very easy, and I knew it was going to be an awesome show regardless, because all the people working on it!

Zach: I was unsure how it would all come together, especially coming into GRIMM so late and being the newest (amateur) cast member, so doubted myself until the first show, and then felt like that is where I’ve belonged the entire time… On stage!

Have you made some connections with others in the cast and crew?

Zach: Yes, Juniper and I are so ecstatic to have met such awesome, vibrant, and accepting people and community folks.

What is your advice for someone who has never tried theater? Do you think you’d like to do more?

Zach: Don’t let yourself get in the way of yourself ... I have for years and needed this experience to find a different and better part of me, which has been there the entire time, yet I didn’t have a place to channel it, and Stage East offered that. I hope they allow me to be part of Stage East in the future!

Davis woos Ashley McLaughlin (look for our interview with Ashley below!), as Schuth talks the audience through it. Photo by Manuela Brice.

Marcelina Messin, as Fishergirl, is flanked by narrators Brian Schuth and Arielle Richardson. Photo by Manuela Brice.

Marcelina Messin, cast member

Who are you playing in the show? 

Girl, Fishergirl, Snow White and Queen 

What made you decide to audition? 

I was finishing an 8-week beginner scene study class I took at the EAC with Laura Stanczyk when I learned of the auditions for the Stage East play. I was really enjoying the class and wanted to continue with acting so I decided to go for it. I am completely new to acting but I have stage and theatre experience performing in classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia and Cinderella. I performed regularly as a youth and through my early twenties. 

How has the process been for you? 

Completely transformative. It’s reconnecting me with my roots ( my history of dance performance) but also pushing me to discover parts of myself that have not been developed or realized until now. It’s been almost a waking up of my soul into a new reality. It’s been pretty surreal. I’m working through a lot up there on the stage. I love it. 

Have you made connections with others in the cast and crew? 

Most definitely. The process of preparing for something like this really bonds you with the other cast members. When you act, you’re allowing others to see your strengths but also your vulnerabilities. It really connects you.  The cast is like one big team and you all need to work together to create the show. 

What is your advice for someone who has never tried theater?

If you have the thought to try theater and have the opportunity, go for it. It’s an exciting journey that teaches you commitment and how to show up for yourself and others, and it’s a lot of fun! 

Nancy Tintle (center) faces off against Paula Horvath; Marcelina Messin looks on. Photo by Manuela Brice.

Nancy Tintle, costumer and cast member

What is your role in the show?  I have a few minor parts in the play. But my biggest role with this show has been costumer. This is more complicated and extensive than is the usual case since the characters wear fairtytale clothing.

Making it all the more interesting is the fact that actors play multiple roles, so in some cases, the costume change must be very quick. Finding garments that work for rapid changes has been challenging. 

What is your advice for someone who has never tried theater?

If you are hesitant about  becoming involved with theater,  start with backstage and technical jobs. You will find that you are working with a group of supportive people all working on a common goal. Then, when you are more comfortable, try a role onstage. It is easier than you think.

Tintle, a director, actress, singer and dancer, has for her next project taken on direction of the Arts Center’s 17th Moose Island Follies, a variety show and benefit coming up on July 3. She was assisted by Catherine Lee, Paula Horvath and Susan Ober in the costuming of 'Grimm'.

Stage East alumni Ashley McLaughlin (as Rapunzel) and cast mate/props master Cookie Repp are at work 'using an abundance of caution .... tape!' Above, Cookie talks with director Brian Schuth and Nancy Tintle, a cast-mate and also costume designer; then reacts to a gown shown by cast mate Paula Horvath. Photos by Jude Kempe

Cookie Repp, cast member and prop master

Who are you playing in the show? 

Gretel, the Raven and Chet

What made you decide to audition?

It sounded funny, quirky and fun

And you’re doing props, too? I thought you learned your lesson with the Wild Blueberry Musical extravaganza!

Ha ha ha I'm kinda liking the props thing. Fits with my control freak side. There is the making part which can be fun (Rapunzel's hair and the boat are the ones I had the most fun with), but I am discovering the challenge of  making the props durable enough to withstand their use by the actors. Searching the internet for best already-made solutions that can be bought cheaply is a fun challenge   It is easier to do the props than memorize the lines for sure!

What’s it like combining those roles on a production?  It actually feels quite okay. Can be a bit tricky but it's fun.

Many faces, many hats! Actor and props master Cookie Repp is shown as Gretel, alongside cast mates Paula Horvath as the witch and Colin Shank as Hansel. Photos by Manuela Brice.

Could you give us a refresher of your theatrical background? I remember first seeing you in Away Down East (A Wicked Good Time) … and of course Jeoparody … Scroogeport … That is pretty much it  I had done a bit of community theatre way back in younger days. I started acting in school, college and local community theater.

How are you liking the process with this show?  It's going well I think everyone is working really well together and are very supportive 

Had you worked with Brian Schuth before?  No, this is the first time. I have been in Stage East meetings but not really interacted very much  I like his style of direction.

What are you most excited about (or nervous about) with this show?   Actual performance and not blowing my lines!

What is your advice for someone who has never tried theater? Do it! 

Kristine Gordon, set design & painting

How’d you come to be involved with this production?

A friend announced to me that she would be acting in a play, and I said should they ever need help with painting the sets, I'd be happy to come help. I think it was two days later she forwarded me the email from Brian to say they were in need of artists. Just over a week later I was putting paint to board, and committing to this as much time and energy as possible. 

Could you tell us a little about your artistic practice in general?  

This may be true for many, but I always credit the beautiful area we live in as a continual source of inspiration in my art. It's simply enchanting, and offers so much for the creative eye who wishes to capture it. In practice however, I find that I like that my art is a service and skill set, one that finds expression in commissioned work or collaborations. I love finding that creative spark that comes with getting an idea, tapping into the well of one's creativity and producing the visual interpretation, to do that accurately and in a way that people want is its own reward. 

How’s this experience different from your ’usual’ art-making?

I don't think it's too different from the typical process, especially the prep work that goes into priming and planning, but if anything, I had to rein myself in and consider the scale of the project, what was going to be possible in the time we had and the vision and direction that already existed for those who had been a part of the project longer. 

In short, I found myself in front of 32 x 8 feet of blank space, with the energy and willpower to create a mural, and two wonderful artists to collaborate with, reminding myself that however much I wish we could do something extraordinary we were there with a specific purpose and I needed to channel that to the task at hand.

What advice would you give someone about whether to get involved with a theater production?

Theater is really quite fascinating, there is so much to observe, learn and adapt to. It gives me the impression of the ultimate mixed media art piece, requiring so much energy, skill, commitment, aesthetic ... the list goes on. I'm mostly in awe of how all those elements come together and the generosity of people who so lovingly provide them. It's been so fun to be a part of. I would recommend to any and all to participate because you might just surprise yourself with what you can contribute.

Castmates Colin and Iris Shank (from left) Ashley McLaughlin, Nancy Tintle (who is also costume designer), Paula Horvath, Cookie Repp and Arielle Richardson talk at rehearsal with Director Brian Schuth (right).

Ashley McLaughlin, cast member

Who are you playing in the show?

I am playing Rapunzel and Cinderella, who are very different, but very fun to play in their own rights.

What made you decide to audition?

I've always been a fan of fairy tales and the Brothers Grimm, so when I saw that Stage East was doing a play that obviously involves both, I knew I had to be a part of it.

Could you give us a refresher of your theatrical background? 

Away Down East (A Wicked Good Time) was my first show with Stage East and I've also performed in Dracula: the Musical?, as well as in the Moose Island Follies, where I reprised my role as Columbia in Rocky Horror's The Time Warp from Stage East's Music and the Movies revue. In addition, I served as stage manager and lighting technician for The Glass Menagerie.

I also had some experience in theatre from elementary and high school. At Alexander Elementary, I was in The Velveteen Rabbit (as the titular character) and The Pied Piper. At Calais High, I was in several plays directed by the late Jay Skriletz, including Bedtime Stories, Harvey, and Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. 

Ashley (second from the right) does "The Time Warp" with Brandy Hogdon, Dale Dougherty, Madeline Collins and Rachel Bailey at last summer's Moose Island Follies. Photo by BD.

How are you liking the process with this show?

I've enjoying it very much. It's always great working and reconnecting with those I've worked with before. It's also exciting to meet and work with those I haven't before.

What are you most excited about (or nervous about) with this show? 

I'm both excited and nervous about many of my friends and my partner being excited to come see me in the show. It's always nerve-wracking to perform but even more so when it's people you know in the audience. But that's also what makes it exciting. One of my co-stars, Zach Davis, has told me that to his family, I'm even better than a celebrity that you'd see on screen because they get to see me out in the world so I'm more real to them. Being that kind of role model is very intriguing to me.

What is your advice for someone who has never tried theater?

I would say, "Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. In a small but sprawled out community such as in this area, every little bit you can do to be part of the community helps, even if it's not directly on stage."

Set designer and painter (alongside Kristine Gordon and Damon Weston, with help from Kieran Weston), Éric Messin has enjoyed his labors with this project. Photo by Jude Kempe.