ART = Fun Times

Third-year Conservatory student and Actors Repertory Theatre 2009 member Felice Moody takes a break from preparing for the company’s first show to share some thoughts.

We just finished up our third week of rehearsals in ART and I’ve been having a great time. It took me a couple of days to get back into the groove of things because the “undergraduate” program ended for me in December. I totally love my ensemble-mates: Danny, Dena, Jeff, Jashima, Patricia and Robert. We’re doing some great things together and I know we are gonna have a blast. The staff and faculty as always have been great so I’m looking forward to things to come.

The thing that I love about The Conservatory is the instructors are all working in the business. Nan is stage managing just as she does so well. Doug is the ideal director because he has a tremendous amount of experience as an actor and director. He pushes us and gives us great advice. He looks at things from an actor’s standpoint and that of a director. Our ensemble had a few rough patches at the start, but I think we’ve worked through that. Doug says this is going to be an awesome show and I know I can speak for everyone when I say I was relieved to hear that, because we are most critical of ourselves.

Right now we’re in rehearsals for Echoes of Troy. This is our “transition play,” easing us into the more rigorous advanced program, which means it’s all about learning and all about the real world at the same time. Nan and Doug are like a mama bird gently pushing her young off the nest, assuring them she’s given them all they need, they just have to use it. I’m grateful for this transition. I need that reassuring push. Of course, the truth about ART is that it’s all “the real world,” but still a excellent learning opportunity to ask questions, work some things out and get support and resources. I made it my personal goal to focus on ART solely to get all that I can from it, and once I graduate in December, I will have strengthened wings and will be ready to fly high.