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  • 5 Questions with John DeMerell

    How did you get started in acting? I began performing at a very early age. I used to sing along with 45" records (Google it, youngins) and watch myself in the mirror and lip sync to the recordings. At 3 years old, I got up on stage in Frankenmuth and started to sing. I wouldn't leave and they had to take me off kicking and screaming! My family swears by this! I began performing routines in public at 5 years old and lip synced, sang, or told jokes, in the Elementary Talent Show, every year. In 4th grade I played Prince Charming in Snow White then nothing until High School where I joined the Choir and then was promoted to the Show Choir. My Junior year, I performed Rocky in DAMN YANKEES, which I would eventually perform two more times, Professionally. I went to College and Majored in Theatre Performance and took all the singing and dancing classes I could. You’ve been acting quite a while. What challenges and advantages do you find in the Metro Detroit acting scene? Advantages: 1. Familial ties: Most of my close friends and siblings live here. 2. Reputation: Because I have been acting a while, sometimes I am asked to be part of a project without auditioning. 3. Fun colleagues: I have worked with so many actors that sometimes doing a show with them is like a Reunion! I have been guilty of taking a role just so I could work with a friend, more than once! Merrick is a pivotal character in "The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence," embodying both historical significance and fictional intrigue. How do you approach researching and understanding Merrick to inform your portrayal? Since Frank Merrick the Inventor ("Victorian Merrick") was presented in a Melodramatic Style, there was no need to approach the role as being Historically correct. I could not find any audio recordings of him, so I wanted to give the idea of an accent by not strictly adhering to a regional dialect. This lead to experimentation with pushing the boundaries of the accent for comic effect. Modern Merrick was my own creation based on dialogue and how it sounded out loud. Also, I tried to choose different body mannerisms for "Modern Merrick" and "Victorian Merrick", such as sitting, hand gestures, facial ticks, posture, and walking around. More than anything, I had to convince myself as the actor that his craziness makes perfect sense to him! The modern Merrick undergoes significant emotional growth and transformation throughout the play. How do you navigate portraying his journey from an angry divorcee to a more emotionally engaged character, while maintaining consistency and authenticity? The script tells us Merrick has had about 10 plus months to deal with the break up. I believe he has been focusing on himself, building a shed, etc. He basically states he went through Hell, but with any type of broken relationship cycle their needs to be the drive to move on. He had to divorce himself from the hope of getting back together with her and live his own life again and then she called him... This production involves a wide range of styles from melodrama to modern realism to existentialism. How do you navigate these styles while still maintaining a feeling of truth to your performance? Luckily, I had a great director who helped me! With any role you have to commit to the truth of that character 100%. It doesn't matter what the style or circumstance is, it is REAL for them! If not, you are doing a disservice to the playwright, the role and the audience. FINAL WEEKEND! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

  • A Conversation with our Esteemed Director (Full version) of

    Jeff Thomakos is the founder and producing artistic director of The Inspired Acting Company. Currently, he is working on IAC’s next project, The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence, a painfully funny, time-traveling adventure of love, intimacy, & technology. We sat down with Jeff to ask him about his thoughts about directing this Pulitzer Prize-nominated play. What drew you to direct "The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence" by Madeleine George? There’s a lot that drew me to this play. First, it’s funny. The wit and dialogue in this play are excellent. Scenes go to unexpected places and sometimes the scenes are just plain hilarious while still reinforcing its themes. Second, it’s unpredictable. One never knows quite why one scene follows the other until its themes become obvious and the dialogue begins to repeat itself. Things don’t go in a straight line and it leaves you breathless as you try to figure out what’s happening and why. Finally, while it’s incredibly smart, it still aims straight for your heart and leaves you feeling for these incredibly flawed people, especially Merrick and Eliza who make so many profound mistakes (like all of us) and come out wiser at the other end. What about this play resonates with you personally or artistically? I think what resonates the most with me is the theme of control vs. vulnerability. Both Merrick and Eliza try to exert some level of control over their relationships mostly through embracing technology. Like so many of us, they use technology as a substitute for real human connection. As someone who used to be addicted to social media (I’m better now), I know how tempting it can be to think that we are truly connecting with other people through the various mediums, but my personal opinion about all that has evolved considerably since I first went on Facebook in 2005. Now, I’m more apt to embrace face-to-face interactions. I like being in the room with people and sharing something with them in person. I guess that’s why I love theatre so much. There is no substitute for the experience of and in-person interface. Madeleine George's play explores the relationship between humans and technology across different time periods. How do you plan to navigate the shifts in time and space within the play to create a cohesive narrative? There are four very distinct time periods and styles in this play. There is the “main” story-line which follows Josh Watson and the love triangle that forms between a modern-day Merrick and his ex-wife, Eliza. We are playing this in a style of a modern romantic comedy. Then there is the story of Dr. Watson, Sherlock’s right-hand man, who investigates the strange markings left on Victorian Eliza, wife of wealthy industrialist and nefarious inventor, Frank Merrick. This is done in the style of 19th century melodrama. The lines between good and evil are clear, the acting is a little more presentational, and there is even some direct address to the audience. Third, we have the radio program of the 1930s in which Thomas Watson, assistant to the great Alexander Graham Bell (“Watson, come here, I want you.”) is being interviewed by Eliza about the famous invention of the telephone. We are approaching this as a 1930s comedy. Coming full circle, there is Eliza’s interactions with Watson, the IBM program that Eliza may or may not have stolen as a basis for her own AI invention. This is more of a sci-fi feel for us and that’s the way we’re trying to approach it. I think the change in acting styles, the character work the actors are doing, along with lighting shifts will make it pretty clear to the audience where we are in space in time, even if they are not quite sure how it all fits together until the end. The play features multiple characters named Watson, each representing a different era of technology. How do you envision differentiating these characters while maintaining a cohesive vision for the production? We have been doing character work since the very beginning of the rehearsal process. Not just Watson, but all of our actors have the challenge of playing more than one character. I am confident that our excellent actors, Dan Johnson (Watson), Maggie Alger (Eliza) and John DeMerrell (Merrick) are more than up to the task of delivering nuanced and unique portrayals of each of their characters and I think the audience is going to be enthralled with each of their changes. ”The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence" delves into themes of artificial intelligence, love, and human connection. How do you plan to balance these complex themes to ensure the audience remains engaged throughout the production? I think that work has already been done for us in the writing. Madeleine George’s script is one of the smartest scripts I’ve ever read. There is so much subtle repetition in dialogue, theme, and feeling peppered throughout the script. Each scene contains so many easter eggs that it makes you want to listen carefully so you don’t miss them. The play incorporates elements of comedy, drama, and science fiction. How do you plan to approach the tone of the play to ensure it resonates with the audience while staying true to the script's intentions? As I mentioned before, there are four parts to this story: the main love story, the Sherlock Holmes detective story, the 1930s radio interview, and the interactions between Eliza and her AI invention. In rehearsals, we are trying to incorporate different styles within each part of the story. We believe this will help the audience know exactly what part of the story they are in efficiently and quickly so they can focus on how each part of the story unfolds. In short, the tone will change with the characters so that you can follow along and enjoy. Madeleine George's writing incorporates intricate dialogue and nuanced character development. How do you plan to work with the actors to bring out the depth of each character while maintaining the pacing of the play? Having directed a lot of Shakespeare, my go-to approach to pacing is to leave it for the latter days of rehearsal. What’s more important is that we are hitting each moment of the play with clarity of objective and characterization. Once that has been firmly established, then we start to think about tempo which tends to speed up naturally over the course of rehearsals anyway. Again, my cast is pretty terrific and I’m not worried about pacing being an issue at all. The set design for "The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence" can vary greatly depending on the director's interpretation. What are your ideas for the set design, and how do you plan to utilize the space to enhance the storytelling? When moving quickly between time and place in theater, I think it’s best to keep the set as simple as possible.Tim Pollack, our set designer and builder is putting together a simple, but beautiful design utilizing backing flats, projection, and different furniture pieces to create different environments quickly and efficiently. Additionally, mirroring the repetition in dialogue, the set will also repeat. For example Eliza’s office will mirror Merrick’s office in a very literal sense. The coffee shop of present day will be pretty much the same set as Mrs. Kemp’s Pie Shop of the victorian age. And so on. If you’ve been to our theater before, you know how intimate it is. I think our set design will use that intimacy very effectively creating an unforgettable experience for our audience. Collaboration is essential in theater production. How do you plan to work with the creative team, including the designers, stage managers, and actors, to bring your vision of the play to life? Indeed, theater is an ensemble art. At The Inspired Acting Company, we try to make a creative space for everyone involved. It’s really important to us, that the actors, designers, backstage staff, and house staff feel like we are all moving towards a mutual goal. While we are new, I do think word is getting out about our creative vibe and we hope that attracts artists, designers, staff, and even audience members that are attracted to our brand of inclusive creative individuality. Certainly with this show, it’s something we are always thinking about. What do you hope audiences will take away from their experience of watching "The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence"? How do you plan to engage and challenge them with this production? I was talking to a patron the other day and she asked if I felt if this show would appeal to an average audience member. My answer was a resounding “YES!!!”. While the narrative structure is a little different from what you might see in most plays, the story is very accessible, especially in today’s world where the desire to have control over all aspects of our relationships with others is so prevalent. The unpredictability of our relationships with others can be terrifying and we have tried throughout history to create something that will serve us only when, and in the way, we want. I think what this play is trying to tell us is that there is more to life than what we want and the real joy in being alive is listening, connecting, and giving to others unselfishly and joyously. And if there is anything I would want the audience to take away from this play, it’s that.

  • Meet the Director of Cadillac Crew, Ny'Ea Reynolds

    Ny’Ea Reynolds is a Director based out of the Metro Detroit area. Through theatrical and cinematic storytelling, she approaches the world of entertainment with an eclectic and innovative lens. Ny’Ea’s love for Directing started right in her own backyard as a child. Even before she could fully understand her gift, she always knew she was destined to tell stories. That childhood passion blossomed into acting and she spent her high school years training professionally at Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. She then went on to earn a degree in Broadcast Cinematic Arts in 2019 at Central Michigan University. During her college years Ny’Ea deeply explored other art forms like writing, post-production editing and voice acting, which unveiled a whole new lane of opportunities. Post-graduation, she spent time learning how to act for the camera and jumped into the film/commercial industry. But still, her heart longed for even more, and so she took it a step further and began developing her directing skills for the camera as well. Glowing with purpose and passion, Ny’Ea’s gifts have taken her all across the U.S. But she believes, without a doubt, that she's been called to remain rooted in her community. She is part of the next generation of multi-faceted Directors who are rising out of Detroit and making space for new voices to be heard. She continues to enter uncharted territory while allowing her child-like imagination to run free and come to life both on stage and on camera. Aside from Directing, Ny’Ea is the oldest of three siblings and her favorite hobbies include dancing, listening to music, spending time with loved ones and traveling.

  • 5 Questions with….Joseph Sfair

    Joseph Sfair plays Elyot in The Inspired Acting Company’s premiere production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives. 1. What first drew you to acting? The first thing that drew me to acting happened a long while before I set foot on a proper stage... My parents did a pretty good job of letting me pick out children's films at the local Blockbuster. We rented Peter Pan staring Mary Martin so often it eventually made more sense to buy it. I may have watched it so much that I broke one of the tapes. I didn't want to grow up! 2. What is your favorite role you have done? It's not difficult to pick a favorite role. Sometimes the right thing just comes along at the right time, right when you need it. For me, that was Henry V. Second favorites are a bit trickier... Tom in Glass Menagerie? Tartuffe? Maybe the character Calahan from a sci-fi short I did a few years back? Barry Champlain in Talk Radio? Hard to choose, but Elyot is more than a bit different than most of them. 3. What excites you the most about your role in Private Lives? I am most excited to play Elyot in Private Lives because it's been so long since I've done a proper farce! He has an animus I find intriguing and a bit strange that I'm looking forward to putting on display for the Walled Lake and the world to ridicule. 4. How has your journey been working with The Inspired Acting Company been so far? The Inspired Acting Company has been a welcoming environment to make discoveries and try new things. There is a lovely crew on this project that has, at every turn, impressed me with their professionalism and ability to be giving. 5. What are most looking forward to when the show opens? When the show opens, I'm most looking forward to hearing the response. I think people familliar with the show will be rather surprised at some of the choices we've taken with it, and those unfamiliar with the show or Noël Coward in general might simply be shocked at the turns he takes to tell this story. Either way, it's sure to be a fun time.

  • 5 Questions with….Leanne Young

    Leanne Young plays Louise in The Inspired Acting Company’s premiere production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives. 1. What first drew you to acting? I've been playing "dress up" for as long as I can remember. I think being the only child in my house growing up caused me to develop a vivid imagination and that has naturally steered me toward seeking those same experiences as an adult. 2. What is your favorite role you have done? Unfair question! I do have a passion for Noel Coward pieces. Elvira in Blithe Spirit and Joanna in Present Laughter come to mind. 3. What excites you the most about your role in Private Lives? The wonderful opportunity to surprise the audience and possibly steal the show late in the game! Louise is quite the character, n'est pas? 4. How has your journey been working with The Inspired Acting Company been so far? "Wouldn't you like to work a little closer to home?" Hamilton I'm so excited to be part of a new theatre company on the West Side! Jeff Thomakos has been a gentle and generous director and I love playing with the rest of the cast and crew. 5. What are most looking forward to when the show opens? The first laughs from the audience. Always, the audience. There is nothing like the relationship between actor and audience and without them, we are literally nothing.

  • 5 Questions with….Jeannine Thompson

    Jeannine Thompson plays Amanda in The Inspired Acting Company’s premiere production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives. 1. What first drew you to acting? My first experience with acting came about in high school. I had some friends that were involved in the theatre program and they convinced me to audition during my junior year. Once I got on stage I never wanted to leave. Those friends definitely changed my life. 2. What is your favorite role you have done? It's hard to pick a favorite role. There are so many reasons for loving a particular character. Sometimes it's the journey the character takes or the lessons that they learn or even the message that is conveyed. Playing Nora in A Doll's House, Part 2 was one of my favorites. It was a joy to play such a strong woman who had ideas far ahead of her time. I love shows that make you think and inspire conversations. I also love shows that simply entertain and make you laugh. 3. What excites you the most about your role in Private Lives? What excites me most about playing Amanda in Private Lives is her rapid changes in mood. One moment she is poised and fully in charge of herself and the situation and the next she's lost all control and is completely raw in her desires and needs. 4. How has your journey been working with The Inspired Acting Company been so far? Working with The Inspired Acting Company and Jeff Thomakos has been wonderful. The atmosphere is open and welcoming. I've learned so much from Jeff and my fellow cast-mates. It's all about creativity, community and exploration. It's been a safe place to play and grow. 5. What are most looking forward to when the show opens? I'm looking forward to sharing this show with all of you. My hope is that we entertain and inspire you. And that you leave the theatre feeling happy that you came.

  • 5 Questions with….Arden Walker

    Arden Walker plays Sybil in The Inspired Acting Company’s premiere production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives. 1. What first drew you to acting? I saw a production of Oklahoma! at the local high school when I was 4 years old. I was mesmerized. I dressed up as Laurey for Halloween that year and never looked back. 2. What is your favorite role you have done? I played Beth in Little Women. Singing “Some Things are Meant to Be” every night and feeling the beauty of the relationships between the sisters was very special. And who doesn’t love getting to die onstage? 3. What excites you the most about your role in Private Lives? I’m excited to play Sybil in the moments when she really loses it. Ingenue characters are often very restrained or just sweet and we don’t always get to see an outward expression of what they are feeling. 4. How has your journey been working with The Inspired Acting Company been so far? It has been lovely! From the audition to rehearsals, everyone has been very kind and committed to creating a great working environment. 5. What are most looking forward to when the show opens? The new energy that the audience will bring to what we’ve been rehearsing.

  • The Inspired Acting Company opens inaugural season with Private Lives by Noël Coward

    Walled Lake, MI (March 9, 2023): The Inspired Acting Company, Oakland County’s newest professional theatre opens its inaugural season with Private Lives byNoël Coward. First produced in 1930, Noël Coward’s Private Lives is a timeless, classic. A sharp and witty commentary on the battle of the sexes, the play revolves around Amanda and Elyot, who, after a tumultuous marriage, have divorced and remarried new spouses. When they unexpectedly reunite while honeymooning with their respective spouses in adjoining suites at a hotel, their mutual passion reignites, and they abandon their spouses to run off together. As they settle into their rekindled romance in a Parisian flat, their relationship is once again tested by their volatile personalities. Meanwhile, their spurned spouses, Victor and Sibyl, track them down to the apartment and complicate the situation further. As the quartet squabbles and argues, they reveal their true feelings for each other, with hilarious and heartwarming consequences. Private Lives is a timeless exploration of love and passion, highlighting the absurdity of human relationships and the frailties of the human heart. With its clever dialogue, elegant settings, and unforgettable characters, Private Lives remains a must-see for theatergoers of all ages. Directed by Artistic Director, Jeff Thomakos, Private Lives featuresDennis Kleinsmith, Joseph Sfair, Jeannine Thompson, Arden Walker and Leanne Young. The production and design team includes Michael Collins (scenic design), Harley Miah (lighting design), Eli Cavaliero (costume design, stage manager), Jeff Thomakos (sound design), Diane Hill (Associate Artist), and Brittany Connors (Assistant Director). Private Liveswill run April 21 through May 7, 2023 at The Inspired Acting Company (1124 E. West Maple Rd, Walled Lake). Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m, and the first two Sundays at 7 p.m. The third Sunday will be a matinee at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $35. Tickets may be purchased online at www.InspiredActing.org or by calling (248) 863-9953. Seating in the theatre will begin 30 minutes before each performance. There is ample free parking. The Inspired Acting Company’s mission is to provide professional theatrical productions and acting training that inspire empathy, generate positive change, and promote discourse and life-long learning to our diverse community. Noël Cowardis widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century, known for his sharp wit, elegant writing style, and satirical commentary on society. Some of his most famous works include "Private Lives," "Hay Fever," and "Blithe Spirit." In addition to his work in the theatre, Coward also wrote over 300 songs, many of which have become standards. Coward was knighted in 1970 for his contributions to the arts, and he passed away in 1973 at the age of 73. His works continue to be celebrated and performed worldwide, solidifying his place in the pantheon of great 20th Century playwrights. Jeff Thomakosis an actor, teacher, director, and producer as well as a certified Master Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Technique through The National Michael Chekhov Association and The Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. He also holds a Certificate of Completion from MICHA, The International Michael Chekhov Association. This makes him the only tri-certified teacher of this technique in the world. In addition to a professional acting career spanning three and a half decades, he served four years as Artistic Director of Royal Oak Shakespeare (formerly Water Works Theatre) and is a master improvisor, having studied for many years at Second City Chicago, IO Chicago, and Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis. Jeff also runs a YouTube Channel, "The Inspired Actor" which features ten-minute acting classes and talks about the theatre, film, the local industry, and more:www.youtube.com/c/TheInspiredActor. For More about Jeff, please go to his website;www.jeffthomakos.com. ### FACT SHEET WHO: Cast: Victor Prynne: Dennis Kleinsmith Elyot Chase: Joseph Sfair Amanda Prynne: Jeannine Thompson Sibyl Chase: Arden Walker Louise: Leanne Young Production Team: Director: Jeff Thomakos Set design: Michael Collins Lighting design: Harley Miah Costume design: Eli Cavaliero Sound design: Jeff Thomakos Stage Management: Eli Cavaliero Assistant Director: Brittany Connors WHAT: Private LivesbyNoël Coward The Inspired Acting Company, 1124 E. West Maple Rd, Walled Lake, MI 48390 Box office: 248-8/63-9953, www.InspiredActing.org Tickets: $35 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: PRIVATE LIVES byNoël Coward April 21 - May 7, 2023 Fri, Apr 21st at 8:00 p.m. Opening Night Sat, Apr 22nd at 8:00 p.m. Sun, Apr 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Fri, Apr 28th at 8:00 p.m. Sat, Apr 29th at 8:00 p.m. Sun, Apr 30th at 7:00 p.m. Fri, May 5th at 8:00 p.m. Sat, May 6th at 8:00 p.m. Sun, May 7 at *2:00 p.m.*

  • The Inspired Acting Company offers acting classes for children and adults.

    Walled Lake, MI (February 22, 2023): The Inspired Acting Company, Oakland County’s newest professional theatre company, announces in-person acting classes beginning in April 2023. Jeff Thomakos, producing artistic director, will teach courses in acting and improvisation for adults, and acting sessions for children will be taught by children’s acting specialist, Kelly Boczek-Petrie. Course offerings include: The Inspired Acting Class: In this course for adults, students will learn how to build objectives, find relationships, and listen to their inner artists to create compelling work on stage and in film. Improv for Everyone: Also for adults, a fun and spirited introduction to the foundations of Improvisation. Students will learn how to create improvisational scenes and characters, think on their feet and improve teamwork and communication skills. Appropriate for all skill levels. Inspired Acting Classes for Kids: Each two-hour class will focus on imaginative play, role-playing, and theatre games, culminating in a final workshop performance for parents. Adult classes run for eight weeks and are for students 18 and over with all levels of experience and prior training. Price is $300. Children’s classes run for eight weeks for children, ages 6-12. Price is $200. The acting studio is located at 1124 E West Maple Rd, Walled Lake, MI. To learn more about class content, instructors and schedules, go to www.inspiredacting.org (http://www.inspiredacting.org) or call 248-863-9953.

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  • Announcing Auditions

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 12/9/22 CONTACT: Jeff Thomakos, Artistic Director and Diane Hill, Associate Artist at The Inspired Acting Company, inspiredactingcompany@gmail.com The Inspired Acting Company, Walled Lake’s newest professional theatre announces auditions for first two shows of their inaugural season. The Inspired Acting Company, Oakland County’s newest professional theatre, is announcing AUDITIONS for TWO SHOWS: "Private Lives" by Noёl Coward and the musical “john & jen” by Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald. AUDITIONS are Saturday January 21st with appointments from 12-4pm. Sign up for your audition appointment here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949AFA72EA0FDC25-auditions PREPARATION: If you are only auditioning for “Private Lives,” please prepare two contrasting monologues no longer than three minutes total (one with a British dialect is preferred). If you are auditioning for both shows or just “john & jen,” please present one contemporary monologue and 32 bars of a musical theatre song in a style appropriate for “jon & jen.” No accompanist will be provided. Please bring your own accompaniment recording on a flash drive or bluetooth capable device. Auditions and performances will be held at The Inspired Acting Company building, 1124 E West Maple Rd, Walled Lake, MI For those who cannot attend the in-person audition, video submissions will be accepted. Submit videos through an unlisted YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, or Google Drive link to inspiredactingcompany@gmail.com by January 20th. Please slate your name, if you’re local to the area, if you are a member of Actors’ Equity, and then perform your audition. The Inspired Acting Company believes that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. To that end, we are strongly committed to anti-discriminatory practices in our casting and hiring. Actors will be consered regardless of sex, race, color, ethnicity, disability, religious-affiliation, sexual orientation and gender identity. We STRONGLY encourage actors of all backgrounds to audition. Stipend for non-Equity actors is $150 per performance week of three shows and $50 for each rehearsal week. Up to two Equity Special Appearance contracts may be available for each show. ABOUT THE SHOWS: SHOW: Private Lives by Noёl Coward Directed by Jeff Thomakos SYNOPSIS: A 1930 comedy of manners concerning a divorced couple who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, discover that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Despite a perpetually stormy relationship, they realize that they still have feelings for each other. SHOW RUN: 4/21-5/7/23. Performances are held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. REHEARSALS BEGIN: 3/28/23. CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: Elyot Chase (he/him)- mid-40s to mid-fifties, Rich, cheeky, hedonistic, and a touch amoral. He is on his honeymoon with Sibyl at the start of the play. Full of cutting wit; formerly married to Amanda. Refusing ever to be serious, his philosophy, if any, is his belief that in the long run everything is “nonsense”, nothing lasts and the intelligent response is to live for the moment. However, Elyot has his insecurities, and is not unaffected by social expectations. Sibyl Chase: (she/her) Early to mid 20s, Sometimes childish, at other times sprightly. Somewhat shallow and superficial, she is not given to particularly deep thought. She is several years younger than her husband, Elyot, deferring to him and denying any intention to “manage” or run his life (although that is up for debate). Amanda Prynne: (she/her) 40s-50s.A beautiful second-time bride (she was formerly married to Elyot, and is now married to Victor). with a fiery temper, quick wit and a tendency toward impulsive behavior. Strong, intelligent, and well-spoken. She has a tough exterior but that's only to protect a vulnerable inner-self that Elyot can crack easily. Victor Prynne: (he/him) 30s-60s. Amanda ’s second husband, formal and dignified, though somewhat dull. Steadfastly conventional and self-consciously masculine, he is the conservative counterpart to Elyot’s rebellious flippancy. He is very pleased to describe himself as “normal. Louise: Any Age, The French maid at Amanda’s Paris flat, she speaks only French. Exasperated at the English nitwits making a mess of her work. MUSICAL: john & jen by Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald Directed by Jeff Thomakos and Music Director TBD SYNOPSIS: Set against the background of a changing America between 1950 and 1990, this is the story of Jen and her relationships with the two Johns of her life: her younger brother, who was killed in Vietnam, and her son who is trying to find his way in a confusing world. SHOW RUN: 7/7-7/23/2023. Performances are held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. REHEARSALS BEGIN: 6/13/23 CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: Jen: (she/her) Protective and controlling, yet deeply loving. This character arcs from a wide-eyed new sister to a free-loving hippie and finally a mother accepting her son growing up. To play ages 6 through 44. Vocal range: F3 to F5 John: (he/him) Fun, energetic, fresh, and exciting. The character arcs from a newborn brother to a high school graduate going off to war and then, a young son challenging his loving mother as he grows. He will play two different Johns, Jen’s brother and son, ages 0-19. Vocal range: Ab2 to C5 Email inspiredactingcompany@gmail.com for more information. https://www.inspiredacting.org/

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