Ms. Cline Interview

I recently got the chance to interview our spring play director, Ms. Cline. She is director of many shows in the past, and has directed other Alta productions like Matilda, Blue Stockings and many more. Come with me on a journey through the mindset of the director of Alta’s most technically challenging production ever.

Question 1: To start off, what initially drew you to this show/script?

“I got to see the original company when I lived in New York, when they moved from West end performances to Broadway performances. It’s a style of theater that I really enjoy that I don’t think is done a whole lot… This particular company that had written the show and had originated it…They had done such a great job with the production that it has been on my list of shows to do at some point. It’s a dream show for me in any capacity, like being in it, directing it, tech-ing it. It’s been one of my favorites for a while”.

Question 2: For those who don’t know the premise of the show, what is “The Play that Goes Right?

“‘A Murder at Haversham manor’ is the name of the production, it’s like play-within-a-play… Kind of classic Murder Mystery/Whodunnit. That includes plot twists and a really epic sword fight and lots of great physicality and cool characters. In the world of the show, that’s what is supposed to be happening”.

Question 3: As director, how do you balance the need for absolute, split-second safety with the appearance of total, chaotic danger?

“Safety is always first… So then from there, the questions are, ‘Okay, what are the beats, what is the timing, what is the blocking?’ So that everyone is where they need to be. But they are safe as far as everything goes. And then once that is established, then you let your actors do what they do best. Which is to create their character. And that’s what creates these really fun chaotic moments, but everything is very specifically designed”.

Question 4: This show is very technically difficult. What was your process with picking the tech team?

“One of the things that enabled us to be able to put on this show right now was having help from Dylan Thomas. He’s a graduate of Alta, he’s currently at UVU. And he’s kind of a jack of all trades as far as theater things. He’s actually done this show at a theater. He’s a wonderful technician/designer. So when he and I had a conversation last year, before the show was even approved and announced, he’s like ‘I would love to create a set’ and I was like ‘Yes, Please, Thank you’. It becomes a lot less stressful. So he was a very big puzzle piece in us being able to do the show. And Struiks has developed a really awesome tech program and tech class, so we were able to have that brief student support”.

Question 5: What would you say is the main reason somebody should come see the show?

I mean, in addition to the fact that the whole production company has worked super hard, you’re gonna laugh for 2 hours. Everyone is killing it, everyone is doing amazing. Especially thinking that it’s the depths of winter. So you wake up and go to school or work and it’s dark when you get home. I think that it’s sometimes a time of year when you can feel a little bit down in the dumps. You’re going to just laugh for a couple of hours.

Question 6: For those people out there who want to do theater but are afraid, what is your word of advice for them?

“I always like to say your feelings are valid. Being involved in anything where you’ve got attention on you and your personality can be a little stressful. So don’t beat yourself up if you’re feeling anxious about it. If it is something you are really interested in, go on auditions or submit your resume for the technical aspects, and I would encourage you to not take it personally if it takes a while, or several auditions, or several submissions before you get in. Try to treat the audition itself as a mini-performance and try to like, have fun”.

Question 7: How do you establish an atmosphere in the rehearsal room?

“My main objective in any space as a teacher or director is to make everybody feel safe, both physically and emotionally. So just reiterating that our #1 priority is to keep everyone safe. I’m super proud of our department for that. And I think our upperclassmen have done a really great job at leading an environment like that. We want to make sure that everybody feels safe”.

Question 8: What was the most challenging, high-stakes prop or set piece to make work correctly?

“The walls, right? We have walls that fall down. We have walls that spin. We have walls that partially fall down. And the fact that they’re huge. And so even without being in tech week yet, I’m sure it’s the walls”.

Question 9: If you could describe the show in 2 words, what would they be?

“Interactive, and chaotic”.

Question 10: Why should people come and see the show?

“It is such a fun show. Like we said, especially at this time of year. Knowing that you are going to go and have an amazing time and laugh for a couple of hours…It’s really fun” 

Thank you to Ms. Cline for letting me interview you for this article. I hope this motivates readers to come see this hilarious show.