GTA Blog

By Jeilianne Vazquez & Ethan Baez

On the opening weekend of The Secret Garden, we had the pleasure of speaking with seniors Alexis Trammell, Devin LaPointe, and Eric Nabeth about their experience with this final show of the season and their last semester in college.

Alexis Trammell is a BFA Musical Theatre major and is playing Mrs. Winthrop in The Secret Garden, and is the understudy for Mrs. Medlock.

Tell us about your role in the show?

I’m part of the cast that starts out as the Dreamers. We become ghosts and we haunt the mansion. Then, I am Mrs. Winthrop later on in Act 2, who’s the headmistress, and she has her moment to shine because she’s trying to get married.

What’s your approach to play multiple roles?

It’s pretty simple for me because I’m a Dreamer for all of Act One, so I only have to focus on that role, and then Mrs. Winthrop for Act Two. Then, I go back to being a dreamer for the finale, so it’s actually not really that hard for me to go back and forth from character to character. For most of Act One, we’re just trying to scare Mary and we’re just kind of living our lives as ghosts. Well, I guess technically not living but, we really just get to float around and do our things. So it’s pretty simple. It’s a lot of fun.

What has the rehearsal process been like?

As we were doing the read-through Dr. Tracey gave us our blocking to speed up the process, then we had music with Paul (musical director, Paul Tate), and then we started putting the blocking and the music together. Hearing the songs so much, you pretty much catch on because we record it and listen to it all the time. Most of the songs I hadn’t even heard before, but I’m a really fast learner, especially when it comes to music.

How do you approach ensemble acting in a musical?

As the Dreamers, we had to figure out who we were before we died. Most of us are married in the show so we had questions to answer: What was our life like as a couple? Did we hate each other? Are we happy? In those moments, we’re supposed to be telling a story even though we’re completely still; while the principles are doing their thing. We have to figure out what story we are telling. Marcello Valencia is my partner and we decided that in the moment we go up the stairs, I’m losing my child. That story creates our still moment when we’re up on the platform. It’s things like that, just figuring out who I am and what my story is as a Dreamer, and how do I show that to the audience without taking away from the principal actor’s performance.

What’s your favorite part of the show?

I would say the song “Lily’s Eyes.” That’s Eric Nabeth and Sammy Nelson’s duet, and they sound absolutely beautiful. I just love being on stage getting to hear them sing it every night because I’ve always loved that song. I also love Savion Gates’ song, “Winter’s on the Wing,” because he’s just incredible and I cannot wait for everyone to see him. I’m a sucker for males that can sing! I feel like most of the recent GTA musicals have had female leads, so I’m glad that the guys get to have their time to shine. We have some really beautiful voices in GTA.

What should people expect from The Secret Garden?

The show challenges your sense of curiosity and imagination. I feel like the audience will be just like Mary, curious to see what the garden is and why it’s a secret. That’s just sort of who Mary is, she’s a child and she’s very curious. Most of us are. It’s not necessarily a feel-good musical but there are things to be happy about. So prepare to feel all kinds of different emotions throughout the show.

What’s it like being a senior?

Very stressful, to say the least. It just doesn’t feel real. It’s kind of weird, I definitely don’t feel like a senior, but graduation is getting so close now, so that’s really strange. It’s really stressful trying to figure out what you’re gonna do, like auditioning and marketing yourself to get booked, but it’s nice that we have faculty members with contacts and things like that so I’m not completely in the dark.

How have you grown as an artist in your time with Gainesville Theatre Alliance?

Just staying true to myself. I used to be scared when my professors or directors asked me about my character, because I felt like they wanted a specific answer, and if I didn’t give them that answer, then I was a failure or they were gonna think less of me. But since I’ve been in the program, I’ve discovered there’s not always a correct answer. Professors and directors really just want to pick your brain and figure out what you’re thinking, so they can share with you what they’re thinking and then you can collaborate. Before GTA I treated those questions like it was some sort of quiz and I got really nervous that I might give them the wrong answer. My confidence has definitely increased since freshman year. I still don’t have as much as I would like to have, but I’ve definitely grown a lot, especially when it comes to being confident in my responses and what I’ve discovered about a particular part that I’m playing. I’m more confident in sharing that with people and showing them how the research I’ve done affects my performance on stage.

 

Devin LaPointe is a BFA Design & Technology for Theatre major and is the the Assistant Scenic Designer for The Secret Garden.

What are your responsibilities as Assistant Scenic Designer?

I worked with our Scenic Designer, guest artist Dennis Maulden, on the creation and realization of our set. I got to create a digital Vectorworks model for the shop and a foam model for the director. I also sourced and edited the images for the doilies that hang at the top of the set.

What is your favorite part of the show?

I love how the lights make the set come to life.

What are you looking forward to most after graduation?

I’m looking forward to using my skills in a professional environment and studying more about set design.

What is something you’ve learned about yourself in GTA, both as an artist and a person?

GTA has taught me how to be more confident as a learner, as a leader, and as a creator. I’m grateful that GTA has let me put my hands into as many mediums as possible. I’ve learned to embrace being a “jack of all trades.”

 

Eric Nabeth is a BA Theatre major and plays Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden.

How did you approach the role of Archie Craven?

This role has been one of my most challenging roles to fulfill so far at GTA. I always approach a role by finding something within the character that speaks to me the most in an honest and vulnerable way. This acts as the bridge that connects the character and me. The more things I fall in love with within the character, the more I can present myself through that character in the most honest way possible. Otherwise, I would be just speaking words and standing with no purpose. Once that purpose is found and channeled, it’s up to my presence and the given moment within the scene to take the audience on the journey that is my character within the show.

What has the rehearsal process been like?

The rehearsal process has been extremely enriching. My style of finding a character is always on the organic side. I believe it is the actor’s job to provide the gift of their individuality and creativity that drives the scene forward. The character is based on how well I did my homework and script analysis of the work, which is always a must. That mindset and attitude has been reflected in this rehearsal process quite nicely and the room is very open to the foundation of the work of the actor.

What do you love most about this show?

Its honesty and absolute beauty. It’s truly one of my favorite musicals of all time and is a strong love letter to the more classical style of musical theater. This show is truly a must see!

By Jeilianne Vazquez & Ethan Baez

Emmanuel Cologne is a senior BA Theatre major who recently made his professional debut as Paul in A Chorus Line at City Springs Theatre Company. We spoke to Emmanuel about the audition process, rehearsal process, and what learned from this experience.

What was the audition process like?

It started all the way back in October 2021 with an open call video submission to City Springs. I sent it in mid- to late-October, and I didn’t hear anything for a while. I saw that they were having the Atlanta callbacks the first week of December, and I hadn’t gotten called back at all for that. I was like, “well, that’s that’s weird,” but I remembered that on the sign-up sheet, there was a place to check if you’re a local, and I was like, “well, I live an hour away, so I guess I’m technically not a local,” so that was a stupid mistake. Essentially, I didn’t find out I got called back for the show until maybe a day or two after New Years. I got the email and I was like, “oh my god, I have to go to New York City!” That was a big thing, that the callbacks were in New York City, and I had no idea that they were in New York.

I called my dad and said, “Hi Dad, Can you loan me some money for a plane ticket?” and he did, so I just dropped everything. I went to New York, had my first professional callback experience at Ripley Greer Studios in New York City. You look out the window of the studio, and the Empire State Building is right there. Turn a couple blocks past Times Square, and you’re in the theater district. It was just really surreal for me to be there.

I arrived in New York a day before and then I prepped everything for the next morning. I go in to the audition and a lot of people who already know each other are there and I’m the only one that’s like, “I literally don’t know anybody here right now.” It’s my first time ever “breaking out into the industry.” So I sign in, I warm up and then we go into the dance call and there’s Baayork Lee with her four-foot-ten self just standing there ready and excited to teach us the opening combination and the ballet combination. I was like, “Oh my god, I don’t care what happens at this point. I’m just really excited to be here.”

We learn the opening and she works us to the bone. We do it over and over and over and it’s in this very encouraging environment. It was very exciting. That’s the first round and then they ask you to stay and sing. So I dance my heart out, did everything and we eventually had to do groups of two. We go to the holding room and we wait to see if they want us to sing for them. I got called back to sing and I said, “Oh great, made it pass the first round!” That’s fantastic. That’s what everybody wants. I went in and sang and it went great. After that, I just let it go. I said, “Whatever happens, happens.” Later, I got the email that I got called back for the role of Paul San Marco. I was like, “Well, this is everything that I wanted fully. Holy crap.”

So I get prepped with the sides, the whole monologue, the song, everything. I go in the next day, I’m not called until like five o’clock. Mind you, my flight is at like 7:30-7:45pm. I go in and they see us—it was me and two other guys called back for Paul. We go in one by one. We do the song, the monologue, everything. I thought it went okay, I did what I could do. I was really nervous because when Baayork was right there and you’re doing this iconic piece, you’re freaking out.

I ran all the way through midtown Manhattan to get to the airport. I didn’t hear for two days and then I got the call that I had gotten a part as a swing and understudy for Paul, Mark, and Larry. I was like, “Oh great, I’m in the show!” I get to be in the opening and I get to understudy three principal roles. Then, a week later, I got a call and they asked me if I would like to take on the role of Paul. Like, are you kidding me? Yes! Oh my god. It was crazy. I was freaking out, I had my dream role.

I was so nervous about the process. You get what you’ve been asking for for such a long time, but now I’m having this huge case of imposter syndrome because I’m gonna be in a room full of people who’ve been in Broadway shows and they’ve been in national tours. They’ve done the thing. I’m this random guy from Gainesville, Georgia, who’s never done anything like this before. I’ve been wanting it for a long time, particularly this show. I’m prepping mentally and everything. Then we have the first day rehearsal and I’m so, so nervous. But everyone was really nice and welcoming and I just ease myself into the process.

What an incredible story! How did you celebrate your achievement?

Well, when I initially got the swing understudy contract, I remember I was at Allie Hill’s apartment with Grace Deedrick and Abby Hand (all GTA students) and we did a toast and it was cute! But then when I got the call that I got Paul, I was in the car. I was in the parking lot of the Hosch and the first person I tried to call was my mom but she was at work, so she didn’t answer. I called Allie Hill and I said I got Paul! She was on her way to go to Michael Jablonski’s tap class and she went to the Hosch saying, “Where are you? We’re gonna go tell Michael!” So we ran to Michael’s class and I was like, I got the part! Then I took the tap class.

How was the rehearsal process different from your classes or being in shows with GTA?

I would say that GTA prepares you for professional setting. However, these were very professional people that were on top of their game. The good thing is that Baayork allowed us room to make mistakes. She really made it clear that this is rehearsal, and it’s okay to make choices. If you make a mistake, you’re in rehearsal for a reason. There was this huge sense of professionalism that was really inspiring and really motivating. It made you really want to step up your game every time you were in rehearsal. But of course, we’re still theatre people. During our breaks we joke around, laugh, talk. It wasn’t all super serious.

How long was the rehearsal process?

It was a really, really quick rehearsal process. I think we had maybe three or four weeks until we went into the theatre. It was super quick to get all the material in. It was really nice because we learned everything and then we had time to clean everything up.

Did you feel that GTA prepared you to work professionally?

I felt pretty prepared. The only thing that was in the way for me was just those nerves and imposter syndrome. But, once you get through those hard days, I realized I do belong here and once you get through that and you do the work and you do all the preparation. I feel like GTA, and the faculty especially, really prepared me to carry myself as a professional versus just a student.

What have you learned from this experience?

I wanted this role for the longest time and I resonate so much with a role like this. This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, I was very vulnerable. I’m on stage by myself for like 10 minutes, and it feels like centuries, in one of the few moments in the show where it’s complete silence and it’s just me speaking. I learned how to be very vulnerable and very okay with flooding my emotions out to thousands of people and being comfortable with that. I’m sure there will be roles in the future where I will have moments of, “Should I even be doing this?” But I think now I feel very confident going out there and getting what I want in terms of auditioning and just pounding the pavement. Of course, there’s always still gonna be those nerves, right? For an audition, they’re always will be. But I feel very confident and where I’m going in life in terms of being an artist.

Do you have any advice for your fellow students who are looking to work professionally?

I think one thing this experience has taught me is to trust your gut. If you have that burning feeling inside of you that there’s something that you want to do and there’s something you want to pursue, it’s possible. Just remember that you have to be your biggest advocate, and no one’s gonna put in the work but you. You need to go into the studio, go into the practice room, and use all the resources that we have on campus. Read books about theatre, engulf yourself in what you love to do. Do the work and great things will happen. Talent is great, but it’s not enough. Once you go out there into the real world, talent is the bare minimum. Many people are talented. But are you a hard worker? Can you put in that work? Are you a nice person? Are you kind and get along with people? That’s what matters. Just stay inspired. Keep going.

By Jeilianne Vazquez

 

“Wherever women gather together, failure is impossible” – Susan B Anthony

 

March is Women’s History Month! In celebration of this month, I spoke to senior BA Theatre major Katelyn Zeller and freshman BA Theatre major Emily LaPollo to discuss what it’s like being a woman in theatre.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you ?

Katelyn: I believe it is about acknowledging all of the great achievements women have made throughout history and celebrating the importance of what it means to be a woman.
Emily: To me, it means a chance to celebrate some of the most amazing people in the world. It is a time to bring awareness to the struggles that women have faced and continue to face to this day. Women literally make the world go round. They are strong, independent, and fearless. We deserve a month at the very least to be celebrated.

 

If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be?

Katelyn: I would like to have dinner with Morgan Marcell, Meryl Streep, and Lily James. I look up to these people for their work in the arts.
Emily: Eva Noblezada, Megan Thee Stallion, and Rihanna

 

What is your experience being a woman in theatre and the arts? Have you faced any barriers and, if so, how have you overcome them?

Emily: Being a woman in the arts is not easy. I have found that in the past I have not been taken seriously and that is something I have to be aware of. I think comparison is my biggest barrier, not just in theatre but in everyday life. I constantly compare myself to other actresses and their styles and I wonder if I’m good enough. In today’s society, social media is notorious for being detrimental to confidence. There are so many women with the “perfect” skin, bodies, clothes, etc. on their feed and the rest of us have to scroll and feel horrible about ourselves. However, I remind myself that all I am is enough and I have to remind myself how amazing I am. We are all perfect in our own ways and a little self love goes a long way.

 

What’s the most important piece of advice you’ve been given?

Katelyn: Always trust in your abilities. Trying and failing is better than never trying at all.
Emily: The most important piece of advice I have been given is that it’s okay to make mistakes. Failure is inevitable and life has become so much easier now that I have learned to accept that.

 

Who has inspired you and helped you become who you are today?

Katelyn: The person who has inspired me the most has been my grandmother. She always encouraged me to follow my aspirations in life and remind myself of how much power I could hold if I just believed in myself.
Emily: Both my mom and my grandma are such strong and beautiful women inside and out. My grandma came here from Italy with my grandfather and they built a life for themselves out of nothing. They have always given us everything, but they didn’t always have everything. That has been super humbling and it taught me to appreciate things more. My mom has always put me first and worked really hard to support me, as a single mother. Both of their sacrifices have helped me to become the best self I can be.

 

What made you choose to study theatre?

Katelyn: This is a question I have always asked myself time and time again and my answer has changed constantly throughout the years. But to me, theatre shows people hope, what life can be, and shines a light on what the world is like.
Emily: I have a general anxiety disorder and it is actually therapeutic for me to take on a role and escape my reality every once in a while. It has become my safe place and makes me feel like I belong.

Costume Designer Pamela Workman is an Assistant Professor at Brenau University. She is the costume designer for GTA’s upcoming production of The Secret Garden, and recently designed costumes for Lexington Children’s Theatre‘s Shooting Stars YouTheatre production of Rapunzel. We ask Pamela to tell us all about this professional opportunity and her process of creating costumes for a fairytale story.

How did this project come about?

This design opportunity came about because I had worked with Octavia Biggs, the director, years ago on another TYA productions. I heard she was in need of a costume designer, so I sent her a text saying “Heard you need a designer. Want to work together again? Call me anytime.” She was instantly on the phone with me and we agreed to work together on Rapunzel.

Did the actor’s ages influence your design choices?

Theatre for Young Audiences focuses on the ages of the audience. You want lots of color and texture and shapes in order to keep Elementary and Middle-School-aged kids interested.

Where did the inspiration for the costumes come from?

The director chooses the final concept for a show. I can offer my input as a designer, but the director has the final stamp of approval. Octavia was pulled towards cubism artwork that was created by the Shooting Stars YouTheatre students. She presented this to the design team and we ran with it.

What elements of the script are shown in the costumes?

The only real descriptions in the script were the long blonde hair that keeps growing. Rapunzel starts the show bald and then her hair keeps growing until it is about 20 feet long. The other description is when Rapunzel dyes all her hair purple and then cuts it off. The main thing about this script is that it rhythmically moves fast and the actors never leave the stage.

What is the process you usually use to approach shows and how did that relate to this one?

I always start with reading the script, then move into a concept meeting. Then multiple design meetings with research, sketches, paperwork, renderings, and troubleshooting. The main obstacle for this production was how to deal with the wigs. I posted in a couple of Facebook groups to get some ideas. In the end, I came up with my own solution of a series of braids that clip on. Twenty-six yards of silk were used for the braids and I used Shibori dye techniques to create them in my kitchen.

How often are you in contact with the director?

I was in contact with the director via meetings every two weeks until the designs were approved. Once the cubism style was chosen, Octavia pretty much let me go with what my brain gravitated towards. Then I worked on my own and built the show. Fellow GTA faculty Terri Becker and Celeste Morris, along with my kids, helped me paint the final looks.

What is the nature of the costumes, in terms of build? Did you get overalls and paint/design over them, or did you build overalls from scratch with designs printed?

I had to invent the Thai fisherman pants. Those don’t exist in life. For the overall dress and overalls I used patterns from JoAnn Fabrics. I took the children’s artwork that was commissioned for this project and had them printed on fabric. Those were strategically placed on the bleached muslin shells, then I drew out and painted to continue the children’s artwork through the entire costume. I never saw the costumes on the actors until I showed up in Kentucky for first dress. That was the first and only time they were fitted into costumes.

The GTA New Works Festival is over for this year but we are still thinking about the beautiful, original work we saw! On Saturday night of the festival, GTA Shorts featured seven short plays written and directed by students and two awards were presented. The Playwright’s Choice Award was presented to Jeilianne Vazquez for her play Mi Familia, and the Audience Choice Award was presented to Halli Rider for her play Truth or Dare. Both winners received a one-year membership to Working Title Playwrights, a new play incubator and service organization providing playwrights with development opportunities, workshops, and networking events. We sat down with Jeilianne and Halli to discuss their plays.

 

Tell us about your play, Mi Familia.

The play is about a Puerto Rican family who are having dinner. Abuelo is back from Puerto Rico while his daughter is separated from her husband, and we see how that affects the two older kids and their relationships with each other.

What inspired the script? Were you drawing from your real life?

They are based on my family, extended family, my latino friends family–basically every family I’ve ever known. I wrote it my freshman year and submitted it to a play festival honoring Latinx playwrights in Atlanta. Unfortunately, it wasn’t chosen, but when it was time to submit for the New Works Festival, I decided to look at it again and give it a second chance. I made some edits and here we are!

At the time you wrote the script, did you already have a writing method, or was this project a step towards creating that method?

This wasn’t my first script for the GTA (I had a play in last year’s festival) but I did have a different approach. This year, I just wanted to write what I know. My process is evolving and I’m discovering what works for me.

What was it like being in the audience of your own play?

It was great! I think if I hadn’t seen any rehearsals I would have been very nervous. But, I was able to go to two of the last rehearsals and I was in awe of the work that had been done. The actors Michelle Stover, Marcello Valencia, Madelyn Moreno, and Juan Suarez were absolutely incredible and were guided by the great Otis McDaniel (director). I was fully confident in them and they exceeded my expectations.

Congratulations on winning the Playwright’s Choice Award. What was going through your head when you won?

I was just in shock! I was extremely happy and grateful. I was just so proud of my cast and director. All the hard work that was put in and they shined! I was just so happy. Latino stories were being shared and honored. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

What’s next for you? Are there any scripts that you are working on?

Right now, I’m working on a full-length play for next year’s New Works Festival. I have some other short scripts I’d like to polish and possibly expand. I haven’t decided if I want Mi Familia to be full-length. We will see!

 

Tell us about your play, Truth or Dare.

Truth or Dare is about two newly found anxious and odd roommates who find themselves out of food and an internet connection. After ordering pizza, they decide to play a friendly game of truth or dare to pass the time. 

What inspired the script? Were you drawing from your real life?

I definitely pulled from my life in small aspects. I was rooming with one of my best friends when Covid first hit, and we both are very anxious people by nature. That is kind of what sparked the idea, and then it kind of snowballed from that.

Something that I would like to point out is that Hollis and Charlie are gender-neutral in the script. I did this keeping high school theatre programs in mind. When I was in high school, we would often have to gender-bend characters because we didn’t have enough guys. I wrote the characters as gender-neutral to allow anyone to be able to play them!

At the time you wrote the script, did you already have a writing method, or was this project a step towards creating that method?

When I first started writing Truth or Dare, I was in my first playwriting class. I had never really written anything before (aside from small creative writing projects) so the idea of playwriting was really new to me. Needless to say, I didn’t have any method for writing. In the class, we had to complete a one-act play as our final, which is where I got most of the material for Truth or Dare. It actually comes from my one-act entitled Hey, Sorry to Bother You!, where the characters play truth or dare in the last ten minutes of the play. My process is still currently evolving, as I am still very new to writing, but I am slowly finding what motivates me and what doesn’t!

What was it like being in the audience of your own play?

At first, I was really nervous because it was the first time I was going to see it all the way through with props and on the Ed Cabell stage. So, it was a little scary at first, but as soon as the actors started, they had such an easygoing energy about them (which is exactly what I felt when I was writing the characters), I was able to enjoy it. A lot of that ease came from the director, Dellan Short. He directed the heck out of it. During the rehearsal process, I tried to make it to rehearsals whenever I could, but I never felt worried that the show wouldn’t be good. I never had to worry about whether or not something in the writing would get lost because Dellan pays such close attention to detail, and makes sure choices from the actors are clean and well read from an audience’s point of view. However, while he pays attention to details, he also allows the actors to find their own version of the character. He’s great at making sure he gives the actors freedom to play while making sure it works for the character.

Congratulations on winning the Audience Choice Award. What was going through your head when you won?

It was a very overwhelming, yet exciting feeling. I’m not sure what to call it. I was honestly just super proud of the people I got to work with (Dellan Short, Molly Van Buren, Olivia Leslie, and Corbin Adriano), cause they all worked so hard, and they made a show that I wrote come to life in the best way possible.

What’s next for you? Are there any scripts that you are working on?

I actually just finished my first full-length play this past semester. It’s called A Spoonful of Chaos, and it takes place in a tiny ice cream shop in Tennessee. It was super challenging to write in one semester, so it is currently in the revision stage. However, I’m going to be submitting it for the New Works Festival next year, and if it gets chosen then you can learn more about it!