An Interview with Michelle Kuchuk

Hello!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Last week during our weekly meeting, Jareth came up with a series of questions for Michelle and for the actors at the CCA SKILLS Program, so that we can give you an inside look at the making of a Daytime Moon show. In this post, I'm thrilled to share Michelle's answers. At the next rehearsal, she'll pass them along to the actors and Jareth and I will share them as well.

So, without further ado... I give you, Michelle and Jareth!

Jareth: Hi Michelle! I thought it would be cool to do a blog post that would give readers more information about Daytime Moon and the show, so thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions. Some are about the show, and some are about you. Let's start with the ones about the show. 

Who comes up with the story of the play?  How do you make the play? What’s the hardest part? What’s the easiest part?

Michelle: The actors actually come up with the story!  Through a bunch of different theatre games, different stories are told and a couple usually start to become popular with everyone.  After we narrow it down to two or three different ideas, we come up with scenes for each choice.  THEN ... one usually becomes the most detailed, and then as a group, we figure out all the details of the beginning, middle, and end!  Between classes, the teachers transcribe what all the actors said in class, and come in the next class with an actual script.  The easiest and most fun part for me is watching the actors come up with the stories and the dialogue themselves.  The hardest part is sometimes narrowing all the ideas down to fit into one script ... but usually we just combine ideas anyway so it ends up being okay!

J: Who casts the show?

 

M: Based on the story we create, the actors cast themselves.  I challenge the actors to come up with the characters we need, and after performing in scenes as exercises, they've already experienced different characters.  After coming up with all the details of the plot, we all discuss who would like to be who.  Everyone walks away happy because each character has lots to do!

J: Last year, I worked backstage on CCA's production of "Peter Pan". For “Peter Pan,” I had to stay backstage and be quiet. Some of my other responsibilities were to read the lines so I knew when things would happen. Then, when that line happened, I knew to open or close the curtain. What will the responsibilities of the crew be? Does the crew need to be quiet for this play, too?

M: The crews' responsibilities are mainly like yours in "Peter Pan," Jareth!  The actors and the crew have to read the lines so they all know when to enter and when a certain scene is ending.  Sometimes, actors backstage might have to say something from offstage, but usually everyone does need to be quiet backstage.  

J: During “Peter Pan,” the actors needed to rehearse their lines and practice. How many times do these actors practice? 

M: We have seven classes all together before the final performance.  Actors usually practice their lines at home once they get the script - but I'm never sure how many times they practice, exactly. They are always prepared, though, so they must be practicing a lot!

J: How long does it take to rehearse for the performance?

M: The actors will have the script for three classes before the show, and then there is a quick rehearsal in the theatre before the audience comes in!

J: Where does the show take place? What is it about?

M: The show takes place in a theatre, actually!  It's about a group who want to put on a Broadway show ... and the rest is a surprise.  

J: How many times will the show be performed? When will it be? How can people get tickets?

M: The show will only be performed once!  It will be held at the Peoples Improv Theater on December 13th at 4:45PM. Once tickets become open for reservations, people can email information@daytimemooncreations.org to reserve seats, which are free.

J: Awesome, and now I'd like to ask some questions about you.

Tell me about yourself. What do you do?

M: In addition to being one of Daytime Moon Creations' staff and teachers, I also am the Literary Director for a company called Nicu's Spoon Theater, and a freelance director.  I also sing, tap dance, and am a Special FX makeup artist around Halloween.  

J: What are your favorite plays? 

M: The hardest question!!  There are so many incredible plays out there ... I really love the plays of Edward Albee, Martin McDonagh, Tracy Letts ... to name only a few... 

J: What is your favorite play you’ve ever directed?

M: Another hard question!  I think the most meaningful directing experience for me was directing a show called Beautiful Thing with Nicu's Spoon Theatre.  

J: How did you become a director? What made you want to?

M: I discovered directing in college (having only performed growing up), and the classes I took completely changed my perspective about directing, the process involved, and what a director can accomplish by merely guiding the actors to her semi-imagined result.  I love how theater and directing and acting is one big collaboration: the more everyone works together and contributes their ideas, the richer the play will be.  

J: How long have you worked with Daytime Moon?

M: I've worked with Daytime Moon for two years!

Thanks so much to Jareth and Michelle for a great interview! Hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at Daytime Moon's latest production. Stay tuned for more videos and stories!

Cheers,
Jenna