The Road Theatre Company proudly presents Michael Perlman's At the Table at the Lankershim Arts Center May 17 through July 7. This riveting play deals with six so called liberal friends who realize on a weekend retreat that they are not as enlightened or diverse as they thought. Every week we will spotlight a member of the cast. This week the light shines on Roadie veteran Avery Clyde.
Who do you play and what purpose does this character serve?
I play Chris. Chris is Elliott’s best friend from childhood and his guest for the weekend. She is meeting the group for the first time. In the opening conversation Chris serves up our title : “ The terms of a conversation are controlled by who’s invited to the table…” Like a gun at the beginning of the play that fires us through to the very last page. I would say my character definitely disturbs the peace that is the annual getaway. Chris is a woman who leans in and does not stay quiet.
What are your challenges as an actor?
The show sometimes feels like Cirque du Soliel, many conversations can happen at the same time. So the challenge was to be ahead of it and to be really connected as a group of 8 and to do this early on. My hope is that you feel like a voyeur, looking through the window on this group of friends, hoping they don’t see you, cause you can’t stop watching.
How are you preparing?
I’d say my process is “jump off the cliff and be more specific”, but I’m method. I love research and real life recall so I start there. I pull a lot of pictures and create a book of that world, I pull music and create a sound track for my character for the run and I create time with my fellow actors.
When you’re an ensemble, time spent makes a huge difference. Nick Marcone and I went on a run, Christian and I spent an afternoon together. As a group we got together multiple times…around an actual table.
What is the theme or message of the play?
A mid-30s search for identity and our words. Chris starts us pondering “Who’s invited to the table?” then as we get deeper into the play it gets more personal, Elliott says “Who is me?”
One of my favorite quotes is Niche- “Know thy self”. We are all in search of that answer.
Talk about your fellow castmates and your director.
To say the cast enjoys each other would be an understatement. “Yes and” it's all over the place!
The two most important characters to Chris are Nate and Elliot. Nate is a surprise to Chris. They end up dramatically changing each others lives. Chemistry is like an egg, ya gotta respect it or it could break. On stage Christian and I just trust each other completely. It’s different and alive every night.
Ray Paolantonio is perfect casting as Elliott and a kick ass producer. I’m a producer outside of ATT so I had a good feeling about the production before we even started rehearsal...because of Ray. Lucky me we get to play best friends.
A little bit of luck and a lot of Judith Moreland created this amazing At The Table cast. You wanna work with Judith Moreland. She’s a dream. An accomplished actress herself, she leads with preparation, wicked smart intelligence and a ton of love for the work and everyone involved. Coming from that place, trust just shows up. The impossible becomes possible and the play abounds. For me, Fridays can’t come fast enough.
At the Table plays at the Lankershim Arts Center 5108 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA through July 20. There is street parking but arrive early. For tickets call 818 766-8838.
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