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#TBT to Synetic Theater’s Wordless ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
#TBT to our wordless production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and the mischievous Puck played marvelously by Synetic Company Member Alex Mills!
Lucky Number 13 in our "Wordless Shakespeare" series is 'Titus Andronicus', and it's playing now!
Titus Andronicus April 25 >> May 27 Tickets: http://synetictheater.org/event_pages/titus-andronicus/
#TBT to Synetic Theater’s Wordless ‘Romeo & Juliet’
#TBT to the time(s) Synetic performed Shakespeare's 'Romeo & Juliet'. Here are all three of our powerhouse pairings of Shakespeare’s famous star crossed lovers.
Lucky Number 13 in our "Wordless Shakespeare" series is 'Titus Andronicus', and it's playing now!
Titus Andronicus April 25 >> May 27 Tickets: http://synetictheater.org/event_pages/titus-andronicus/
#TBT to Synetic Theater’s Wordless ‘Hamlet’
#TBT to Synetic Theater’s very first production in their Wordless Shakespeare Series, ‘Hamlet...the rest is silence’. Lucky Number 13 in the series, ‘Titus Andronicus’, is playing now!
Titus Andronicus April 25 >> May 27 Tickets: http://synetictheater.org/event_pages/titus-andronicus/
Synetic Sit Down with Paata Tsikurishvili
Paata Tsikurishvili is pulling double duty, as he usually does, as Synetic Theater’s Founding Artistic Director and Director of Synetic’s upcoming production of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus
Q: Why did you want to produce this show? A: It’s been on “the list” for quite some time. ‘Titus’ has experienced a sort of renaissance over the last few decades, but I get the sense that the play’s reputation is still that of an ugly, gory mess. But I don’t think that’s true, and I wanted to prove that. It’s a violent story, sure, but the violence serves a purpose—to highlight the tragedy of a deeply good man and the destruction of a family.
Q: Why do you think Titus is the perfect addition to Synetic’s Silent Shakespeare? A: It’s a very early play, so you can see the “blueprints” for many of Shakespeare’s later characters in ‘Titus’. Lear, Lady Macbeth, Ophelia, Iago—they’re all there, in ‘Titus’. We’ve done so many Shakespeare plays, but in this one, you can see how it all started for him. With ‘Titus’ as part of our repertoire, we’ve now covered all eras and genres of Shakespeare’s work.
Q: What sort of person is going to love this show? A: Hopefully everyone will love it! It’s got something for everybody—stark drama, biting black humor, family intrigue, romance and war, you name it. As heavy as the play is, I think people who are familiar with Shakespeare will enjoy it, as well as those less familiar, because it’s a very early and easily accessible play. It’s got the same appeal as a great horror film: People love to be scared.
Q: What’s challenging about bringing a script to life? A: As always, it’s about finding the core action in each individual scene, each monologue, each line, and figuring out how to translate and adapt the language from the verbal to the visual. In a way, it’s easy because Shakespeare gives us everything we need to work with, but on the other hand, it can also be very difficult to do the words justice and make sure we’re conveying everything possible.
Q: What will the audience be thinking afterwards? A: I hope they’ll come away with a new appreciation for the play, with a new understanding of how it fits into the Shakespeare canon. I think they’ll be pretty shocked and surprised at the events onstage, but they’ll also leave very satisfied because the villains of the piece are finally dealt with in the most… delicious way.
Q: How is this production bringing something new to the story? A: By telling this story in a purely visual medium, we’re letting the audience’s imaginations work as much as possible. They see the action, and they’re free to interpret it and customize it in their own way, without having it explained through traditional dialogue. I think this can make for a very powerful and unique theatrical experience.
Q: What’s going to surprise people about this show? A: What I myself found surprising was how elegant the play was, while, at the same time, being very brutal. The combination of those two things is very surprising and unsettling.
Q: Who in the show is most like their character? A: Philip Fletcher, who plays Titus Andronicus. Like Titus, Philip is as tough and loyal as they come—you give him something to do, he does it—but he’s also got a huge heart.
Q: Who’s the least? A: Audrey Tchoukua, who plays Aaron. Aaron is one of Shakespeare’s great villains, and Audrey—no way; the man’s an absolute sweetheart!
Q: Call someone out by name: Who must come see this production? A: Ben Brantley and Charles Isherwood, the New York Times theater critics. Come check us out!
Titus Andronicus at Synetic Theater April 25 >> May 27 Tickets: http://synetictheater.org/event_pages/titus-andronicus/
Synetic Sit Down with Alex Mills
Alex Mills is performing the role of Chiron in Synetic Theater’s upcoming production of Titus Andronicus - Opens April 25
Q: What sort of person is going to love this show/your character in particular? A: You don’t have to be a Shakespeare buff to know the go-to’s of Titus. Blood, guts, gore, and glory. If you love Titus, it’s being served; but our version is being served just a little differently. In terms of my character, he’s part of a duo, a brother duo. I think it will be interesting to see how the brothers operate together to achieve a shared goal.
Q: How is this character like you? Different? A: I’m a Taurus. Take from that what you will ;-)
Q: Is it easier to play this character or to be yourself on stage? A: Way easier to be this character. That’s what being an actor is all about! You don’t have to be yourself.
Q: What do you love about this character? A: The freedom of it all. Granted, it’s heinous stuff; but just being able to do whatever you want is liberating.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role? A: Really going for it, being actively offensive, and knowing that is part of the story.
Q: Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite scene? A: I’ll be selfish, the “Trio Tango” is great!
Q: Besides yourself, which actor in this production is going to blow people away? A: Irina Kavsadze; so subtle and so poignant.
Q: If you could play any other character in this show, who would it be? A: Tamora
Q: What makes a good scene partner? A: Having that person be your best friend. That sounds so ideal but that is the luxury of what working here provides. (Dallas Tolentino)
Q: When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing? A: Buying chips from subway.
Q: Who’s the funniest person in the cast in real life? A: Dallas, we’re brothers from another mother.
Q: What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up? A: I do a breathing thing and visualize my entrance. I do have a level of OCD, so my rituals develop and change for each show.
Q: Who in the show is most like their character? A: Dan Istrate.
Q: Who’s the least? A: Philip Fletcher; mostly because I can’t imagine him killing his own child.
Titus Andronicus at Synetic Theater April 25 >> May 27 Tickets: http://synetictheater.org/event_pages/titus-andronicus/
Synetic Sit Down with Tori Bertocci
Tori Bertocci is performing the role of Marcia (Marcus in the original text) in Synetic Theater’s upcoming production of Titus Andronicus - Opens April 25
Q: What sort of person is going to love this show/your character in particular? A: I love Titus Andronicus, it is one of my favorite productions. To me, this is one of Shakespeare's rawest excursions. No one is perfect, you feel for characters one moment and then the next you despise them. If you love a good revenge plot, you'll love Titus. If you're into family drama, you'll love this show. Synetic's Titus Andronicus fuses the elements of creative symbolism, passion, and vengeance in a new an exciting way. IF you want to be on the edge of your seat and watching each character’s every step, this is the show for you. I play Marcia (Marcus in the original text). Marcia is the one who witnesses everything. While her family and Rome seem to crash around her, she is one of the only survivors of the play. To me, that is pretty interesting.
Q: How is this character like you? Different? A: I am a Libra and I think Marcia would be one too. We both love balance and want to alleviate conflict. However, Marcia is much more complacent than I am. If Marcia would have only taken action (even if it was against her family) more people would have survived in the end.
Q: Is it easier to play this character or to be yourself on stage? A: No character is easy to me, because of the differences that define them and myself. I believe in finding the differences and then embracing them. That's what makes it fun.
Q: What do you love about this character? A: I love her strength. I love that she doesn't have to have a partner onstage to be powerful. She is an individual, a female leader and Rome and no one questions her authority.
Q: What do you hate about this character? A: I can't hate my characters because I must become them. I disagree with her complacent behavior, but I understand why she acts how she does.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role? A: Learning the power of stillness.
Q: Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite scene? A: I really like the Tryst ;-)
Q: Besides yourself, which actor in this production is going to blow people away? A: The Goth Brother Duo, Demetrius and Chiron (Dallas Tolentino and Alex Mills, respectively). They are killing the game. They play some wretched people but in reality are so kind and goofy!
Q: If you could play any other character in this show, who would it be? A: I'd love to play one of the brothers, Chiron or Demetrius and explore how that changes moments in the story.
Q: What makes a good scene partner? A: A good scene partner listens, shares idea, dives right in even if it is crazy and most of all you trust each other.
Q: When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing? A: Drinking red bull.
Q: Who’s the funniest person in the cast in real life? A: This is not a fair question - we have a whole clown crew! Audrey (Aaron) is hilarious as are Alex and Dallas...And when they are together, look out! Also, shout out to our Stage Manager Marley Giggey and Adaptor Emily Whitworth...they make me laugh all the time!
Q: What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up? A: Take a deep breath and dedicate the performance to my Grandpa.
Q: Who in the show is most like their character? A: Irina is a lot like Tamora, in the sense that she would do anything to protect her family and the ones she loves.
Q: Who’s the least? A: Philip Fletcher is not like Titus. Philip a kind-hearted, loving, and dedicated person, he's just good at playing misunderstood characters ;-) I've always looked up to him.
Titus Andronicus at Synetic Theater April 25 >> May 27 Tickets: http://synetictheater.org/event_pages/titus-andronicus/
Synetic Sit Down with Chris Galindo
Chris Galindo is performing the role of Lucius in Synetic Theater’s upcoming production of Titus Andronicus - Opens April 25
Q: What sort of person is going to love this show/your character in particular? A: Titus Andronicus is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays! In fact, I had the opportunity to play Demetrius years ago. Audiences who love the drama and spectacle of seeing so many well-developed characters endure tragedy, battles, and family crises will enjoy this poignant story.
Q: How is this character like you? Different? A: I have a lot of similarities to Lucius. I am a survivor just like him. I have been through family crises as he has. I love my sisters and would defend them at whatever costs just like him. Unlike him, I haven’t gone through such a spectrum of a journey from bloodthirsty youth to sober leader. I do, on the other hand, wish for my country to return to how wonderful it used to be before certain political figures took over….just like him. However, I have no intentions of ever being that political leader, whereas Lucius would be happy to have that opportunity.
Q: Is it easier to play this character or to be yourself on stage? A: It is easier to be this character. I am extremely shy in real life and I find comfort and freedom in exploring other characters…in becoming another person temporarily.
Q: What do you love about this character? A: I love this character’s journey and arc. He has the biggest emotional transformation in the text and I am looking forward to how it plays out in Synetic’s version! I also love the relationship he has with Lavinia and his brothers.
Q: What do you hate about this character? A: I don’t hate anything about him. I can understand why he makes certain choices by taking his perspective.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role? A: Connecting emotionally to a physically demanding role can be a challenge.
Q: Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite scene? A: My favorite scenes are spoilers, I’m afraid. Let’s just say there is a scene where Lucius has an “altercation” with some guards and a dinner scene at the end. ;-)
Q: Besides yourself, which actor in this production is going to blow people away? A: I think Irinka who plays Lavinia will blow audiences away. Not only is Lavinia the most challenging role in the show, but Irinka has come a long way since the young girl I met in 2008. She has come into her own as a Leading Lady!
Q: If you could play any other character in this show, who would it be? A: I had a wonderful time playing Demetrius and I am thoroughly enjoying portraying Lucius. One day, I would love the opportunity to play Saturninus!
Q: What makes a good scene partner? A: Someone is who is present, reacts in the moment to whatever stimulus I provide, can emotionally connect and commit, and someone who doesn’t have to be one stealing the spotlight all the time. Acting is about giving and taking not just being the center of attention all the time.
Q: When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing? A: If I am not working out, I have succumbed to checking my phone….I hate to admit it! lol
Q: Who’s the funniest person in the cast in real life? A: There are a lot funny people in our cast, but if you pay attention to the ensemble, there is a lot of amusement to be had! Megan K. has a Lucille Ball quality to her in the way she can drop her staff and make everyone smile or make a funny face during an impromptu fall. And then, there is Scott Turner who shares a lot of the bawdy humor that I have as well!
Q: Who in the show is most like their character? A: Anyone who has the chance to get to know Tori Bertocci is lucky. She is as magnanimous, kind-hearted, judicious, patient and compassionate as her character Marcia (Marcus in the original play). It is always a delight to work with her!
Q: Who’s the least? A: Philip Fletcher is nothing like Titus! Philip is a joy to be around, so kind to everyone he meets, and so easy to be around.
Titus Andronicus at Synetic Theater April 25 >> May 27 Tickets: http://synetictheater.org/event_pages/titus-andronicus/
Synetic Theater presents 13th installment of their Wordless Shakespeare series with Shakespeare’s bloodiest revenge tragedy...’Titus Andronicus’
Run of show: April 25 >> May 27
Tickets: http://synetictheater.org/event_pages/titus-andronicus/
