ARVIND/MOMMY #2

When I walked into the UT Lab theater last night for rehearsal there was something new.  Electrifying energy with lots of crew, cameras, staging. Arvind in command on stage directing people, consulting, and a complete cast!  We ran the play twice learning blocking, transition, rhythm and rhyme, how to be with one another, and I came away feeling so good about this production.  The chemistry between this ensemble of actors felt so right, so authentic.  Everyone took direction from Arvind with serious thought and reflection, changing what he asked.  If I had questions I always asked and never ever felt like I was bothersome.  I loved giving back story to new actors who weren't quite sure about the facts. This is truly one of the most exciting and interesting collaborative efforts I have been involved in since beginning to work with actors at UT.  I am so grateful that 3 of the lead actors are students of Laurel Vouvray.  The  actors who have been trained not to act bring this production the authenticity that it deserves.  I will always remember my experience with a 16y.o. writer/director as one of the most important experiences in my journey to becoming an actor.

ARVIND/MOMMY

I attended an unusual audition some time ago at UT.  I signed a waiver informing me my audition would be taped.  And then I auditioned for a theater performance written by a 16 y.o. And present at my audition was a bunch of teenagers while an award winning documentary filmmaker was far away filming the entire event.  I came prepared for the part of the grandmother but the playwright/director asked me to read for the mother...his mother.  He told me to throw away the script and say the lines as I remembered.  How refreshing!
I loved the audition, was busy with other projects and figured I'd show up in the doc as an actor auditioning.  But that was not the case.  Weeks later I was cast by Arvind Hathaway to play the role of Susan, his mother, in his play MOMMY.  Little did I know how extraordinary this project would become.  Evan Roberts is a wonderfully warm, talented and intelligent filmmaker.  He cares deeply about the issues and conflicts young people face. He just helps people become.  That's the best way I can put it.  And Arvind???  When you can get over the challenges of his adolescence he is one creative, intelligent and sensitive director.  I just love love love working on this project.  It has allowed me to explore the human condition broadly, empathetically, deeply.  It has changed me.  How grateful I am.