2013 Bard Talk Series Begins

One of APT's most popular events returned on Sunday: the Bard Talk series. With just under a dozen talks over the course of the summer, APT Bard Talk audiences learn more about the season's plays through discussions with members of the cast and crew. To kick-off the series, 30 audience members arrived at APT early on Sunday to enjoy a talk with the cast of Molly Sweeney: Colleen Madden, David Daniel and Jonathan Smoots. It was a quick 45 minutes of non-stop chatter as the actors discussed the play in great length, and answer questions from the talk's attendees. Colleen Madden shared the history of the play and its Irish writer, Brian Friel and his influences. She also commented on her research to learn how to play a blind woman, and the endless possibilities available with this particular role. APT's director of education, David Daniel elaborated on the unique dialects of the characters in the performance. He and Colleen learned a northern Irish dialect for their middle-class characters. However, Jonathan's character, a doctor, uses a southern Irish dialect as a result of the social class differences. Event attendees were eager to try and distinguish between the two dialects when attending the show. Finally, Jonathan Smoots commented on director Kenneth Albers unusual rehearsal process for the show. Molly Sweeney, he explains is never conversations between the characters, but rather three separate monologues. To prepare for this, Kenneth had the three actors rehearse separately for two weeks so as to learn not to let the other monologues interfere with their own. If you missed this one, no worries, there are many more Bard Talks to come. Tickets for the talks are $5 and can be purchased by calling the APT Box Office at 608.588.2361. Unless otherwise indicated, all talks take place in the star tent. Here's a look at the 2013 APT Bard Talk schedule: Saturday, July 20 at 1:00pm - Two talks: Matt Schwader on playing Hamlet in the star tent. Voice and text coach Sara Becker on the art of voice training at APT in the pavilion. Sunday, July 21 at 4:00pm - Two Talks: Matt Schwader on playing Hamlet in the star tent. David Frank on the art of voice training at APT in the pavilion. Saturday, July 27 at 1:00pm - A chat about the APT property and native plants with Facilities Supervisor Justine Myers. Sunday, August 11 at 4:00pm - The business of being an actor with Travis Knight, Will Mobley and Christopher Sheard. Sunday, August 25 at 4:00pm - Actor, director and playwright Jim DeVita discusses what it takes to adapt a script for the stage. Saturday, August 31 at 1:00pm - Making the Keller family of All My Sons with Marcus Truschinski, Jonathan Smoots and Sarah Day. Sunday, September 1 at 4:00pm - Join John Pribyl, Paul Bentzen and James Pickering, the band of actors from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, as they explore what it was like to be a traveling actor. Saturday, September 7 at 1:00pm - Two Talks: The care and keeping of APT's cast and company with company manager Carey Cannon in the star tent. Producing artistic director David Frank shares his insights on language and APT's mission in the pavilion. Sunday, September 8 at 4:00pm - Two Talks: The care and keeping of APT's cast and company with company manager Carey Cannon in the star tent. Producing artistic director David Frank shares his insights on language and APT's mission in the pavilion. Please order your tickets in advance as some events sell out. Join the conversation and enjoy the 2013 APT Bard Talk series!