Meet Robert Foran (“Director”)
This play takes place in multiple historical eras. If you could choose a specific time in history to be born, when would you choose?
I would choose to be born in the early 1950’s, so I could come of age in the 1960’s. A time of huge upheaval and change.
Should Christians or non-Christians come see this play?
Both Christians and non-Christians should come, because it is not about Christianity, it is about who we try to portray ourselves to be, and who we really are – and how our true selves are affected by the “roles” we try to play in our lives. Everyone can understand that.
This play shifts from funny to emotional to funny again on a dime. How do you deal with those shifts?
Try to make each moment real. The trap we fall into is we try to “play the crazy”. But the reality is funnier, and harder to obtain. Then you have to let go and just allow the shift in tone to have a real effect on you.
This play explores how you are perceived based on your looks versus who you really are. Can you personally relate to this theme?
I grew up as a red-head in southern California in the 1970’s – are you kidding me?!!?
If you met your character on the street, would you have a beer together? If not, would character would you share a pint with?
I don’t think I would want to hang out with the Directors from Act 1 or 2, they are a little too high strung. The Director from Act 3 would be cool. I think I would like to share a pint with the Carpenters, that might be fun.
Do you have a favorite moment in the play?
No, because it keeps changing every time we run it. Currently it is the scene with the Machinist and the Carpenter.
What’s the biggest challenge for you in this production?
To make it real and not go into silly.
What do you connect to in this story?
A deep sense of silent desperation. The struggle to transcend my fears and really connect with people.
What excites you about this story and why should people come see it?
I feel strongly that those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. That is at play here, in a personal sense more than a historical sense. Meaning that humans have been wrestling with these issues for hundreds of years. I am also fascinated watching the human struggle to transcend ourselves: our selfishness, fear, anger, worry, pettiness. This play is about all of us.
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