The Road Back: A Welcome from the Core Company

We asked APT's Core Acting Company their thoughts on the upcoming season. See what they have to say in this week's The Road Back.

Rehearsals started this week for The Mountaintop, and An Improbable Fiction rehearsal isn’t far behind. As APT’s Summer Season begins to look less like a dream and more like reality every day, we wanted to check in with the Core Acting Company to see what they’re looking forward to, what they've missed this past year, and what they want to tell you, our audience, about the rapidly approaching season.

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What are you most excited about as APT prepares to have an in-person season?

James Ridge
I’m most looking forward to our audience. Sharing a story with the APT audience is like breaking bread with family...hearts and minds and spirits get nourished, and I’ve missed that communion.

Melisa Pereyra
I cannot wait to be around this amazing group of artists again. I very much look forward to all of us learning how to make art together under different circumstances. As our audiences know, we are lucky to have people in this company who have been at APT for decades; I confess that watching my colleagues do what they do has always been one of my favorite things about being at APT. Out of all the things that will be different this summer, I am happy to say that part will remain exactly the same.

Brian Mani
I’m excited to get back to my colleagues at work. I’ve missed tossing ideas in with others to make a play. And I’ve missed being in a room with my fellow actors. Being physically in the same room will be such a relief.

Colleen Madden
Honestly, I think I'm most excited about being with theater people again: Rehearsing, horsing around, being stretched by my fellow artists, kibbitzing, playing.

Jim DeVita
To be on our grounds again, in our spaces, with our colleagues and our audience. We’ve all grown up together, so it really feels like we’ve been banished from family for over a year.

Tracy Michelle Arnold
Acting on a STAGE again!

Tim Gittings
I'm most excited about getting to go see a show again! I love walking up that hill and settling in under the stars for play. It's been a huge part of my life for 30 years now and I'm overjoyed to get it back this season!

David Daniel
Gathering. Being in the same room. Nothing between us.

Marcus Truschinski
I’m most excited about being in a room with the people I know and love. I’m also so ready to be in front of the best audience in the country. It’s been far too long. I yearn for the moment we can all be together.

Kelsey Brennan
Without a doubt, it's performing for an audience. I think we have adapted as well as we could during this time, but nothing beats doing it live in front of people!

Gavin Lawrence
I'm most excited about creating in a space with real bodies/people again and not their electronic image.

What do you see as the biggest challenge to returning to the stage?

Melisa Pereyra
I can’t know for sure, but I suspect that feeling like I am an actor again will take some time to adjust. I suspect, for me, being vulnerable in front of an audience after an already vulnerable year will come with its own set of challenges. But I know that being surrounded by the trees, while sharing space with an audience, and feeling the energy of my colleagues (in person), will also be its own kind of miracle.

Tracy Michelle Arnold
Oiling up the rusty instrument I walk around in—it’s got some serious work to do to rebuild its up-the-hill stamina! (Cue: ROCKY theme song.)

Brian Mani
Not sure if this is a challenge, but it will be interesting to be with hundreds of people who have gone through these many months of COVID. The saying that was put forth was, “We’re all in this together.” Yes. But separately. Together, but separately. We will gather together NOW, and get to know each other again.

David Daniel
Oiling the wheels. Mine feel rusty and stiff.

Colleen Madden
I think it's possible I will be terrified to perform. On the other hand, I might throw my nerves to the wind just to get to FEEL that COMMUNION with our audience. Also, I think we will all have to re-strengthen our vocal pipes and diaphragms in order to reach the back of the house!

Kelsey Brennan
The culture of APT will undoubtedly be affected by the social restrictions in place due to COVID. I think our biggest challenge will be creating the same kind of vibrant community that makes being an artist at APT so special. PEOPLE.

Jim DeVita
Remembering that this 25% capacity is only for this season. It will be a challenge for the audience, and everyone at APT, but we need to grow the capacity responsibly and support each other in doing so.

Marcus Truschinski
The biggest challenge is worrying about everyone’s safety. I want us to be able to be open vessels to the stories and be able to truly take in the beauty of what APT has to offer.

Tim Gittings
Besides a nagging feeling that I may have forgotten how to do, well, everything...The biggest challenge for me will be to follow the quarantine protocols at the same time everything is opening back up and getting back to normal. One of my favorite parts of the season is hanging out with everyone, getting to know folks, catching a show at the Shitty Barn, having drinks at The Shed, and just being part of the community.

What have you missed most over this past year?

Tracy Michelle Arnold
HUGS and FACES.

Melisa Pereyra
The privilege and luxury of inconsequential circumstances.

David Daniel
The physical business of work. Walking up and down the hill. Passing people on the paths. Listening to stories in the green room. Random baked goods.

Gavin Lawrence
I've missed being in shape artistically. Yes, sitting in front of a computer screen trying to "act" or direct for hours on end was draining (and at times more physically draining than in-person work), but I didn't feel like my entire creative being was getting a workout in a way that leads to growth. I was just hanging on. Don't get me wrong - I was grateful for what we were able to do, but the experience of a star-lit night after a zoom reading was a bit underwhelming when compared to stepping out of the dressing room after an up-the-hill performance and looking up.

Colleen Madden
I've missed having a place to go, having artistic goals and deadlines!

Tim Gittings
Rest. I feel like this whole last year has been a constant pressure, a grinding-down, a weight that I can't get out from under. I don't think I've felt wholly refreshed or nourished after sleeping for over a year. Part of that is just not being able to connect in person with family and friends. It takes its toll.

Jim DeVita
Everything you could imagine—or not imagine:). People and storytelling.

Marcus Truschinski
Audiences in the summer. Hugs.

Was there something positive you were able to do or accomplish in 2020 that you might not have experienced in a normal summer? Anything you learned?

Gavin Lawrence
Ironically, I was able to get married during the COVID-19 summer. Because of all the restrictions and safety measures, we were able to do it easily with only a few family members for whom it was safe to travel.

James Ridge
Last summer was the first time in our sons’ lives that we were able to travel and camp as a family in the warm months. We swam in lakes that were refreshing rather than numbing, and I spent time as the assistant coach for the high school soccer team. Blessings in disguise.

Colleen Madden
Our industry's slowing down taught me that I need structure, and I hope to revel in the work inside of the structure this year. I missed structure! However, 2020 brought my family closer, and we got to have our first ever proper summer vacation trips with the kids; we twice spent a week camping up north! ! I also had the opportunity and flexibility to join two film sets as a lead, and a TV series as a co-star! So, there still was a lot of learning and a lot of living.

Jim DeVita
I won’t ever take for granted that walk up the hill again.

Tracy Michelle Arnold
Oh gosh, yes. I’ve learned so much about my personal privilege and continue to work on UNlearning behaviors that have contributed to oppression and inequity.I got to spend every day with my two favorite people: my husband, Marcus, and our son, Gus, for a whole year! That was a serious treat. I’ve also learned how to make a damn fine carnita and can barista like nobody’s business.

Brian Mani
I got better at cooking over this year. I’ve broadened my repertoire. And therefore, I’m better at doing dishes, as well.

Kelsey Brennan
What a great question! I certainly had more time in 2020 to focus on coaching and building a Professional Learning curriculum. I'm excited to continue sharing this program with our patrons and partners.

Marcus Truschinski
I was able to really work on things I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the time for. My band has been working on some recording projects and I’m part of a group that’s writing a musical!

Tim Gittings
Absolutely! The challenges of this past year have pushed me to grow as a person in a lot of ways. I've learned a lot about what is really important to me and what I can let go of. I've also been working as a facilitator for an international group on a year-long study of Resmaa Menakem's My Grandmother's Hands, which has been incredibly nurturing, challenging, and satisfying.

Melisa Pereyra
I said yes to a lot of things in 2020; writing, directing, acting projects, voiceover work, things that I would never have had the time to add to my responsibilities in a summer season. Personally, I learned that out of all the stories I tell; the one I tell myself can make or break me. I learned to give myself the time I needed to choose either option on purpose.

Is there anything you want to say to the APT’s audience?

Marcus Truschinski
I love you, I miss you!

Kelsey Brennan
Thank you for our faith in us. Having had more than a year away from a live theatre experience, I can honestly say I would not continue to do this without you.

Melisa Pereyra
I am so grateful for all of the love and care I have felt through each and every project APT put forward. I was so scared that I would not be able to make something you cared about during this time, but you proved me wrong and that inspired me to keep going. Thank you for watching, commenting, writing, listening. Your love and care was felt.

Brian Mani
I want to say, Welcome Back everyone! This year has shown how fragile we can all be. Our lives are precious. Work is precious. Our families are precious. Let’s all embrace the performing arts as we begin to emerge from this pandemic.

Colleen Madden
I'm glad you're here. I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad we're here.

Tracy Michelle Arnold
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your incredible generosity and kindness throughout the past year! I’ve missed you more than I can say. Xoxoxo

Tim Gittings
The support we have felt from our audience during all of this has been absolutely amazing! Thank you to everyone that has kept us in your hearts and thoughts. We couldn't have gotten through this without all of you. I can't wait to see you up the hill again!

Jim DeVita
We’ve missed you.

David Daniel
Hang in there. You're loved. You're missed. Better get to your seats, the show will start soon. Just a few more minutes.