BWW Interviews: SUE ELLEN GERRELLS Does It All

When asked which of her many "jobs" is her favorite, Sue Ellen Gerrells admitted her answer changed depending on when you asked her. The day of our interview she said it would probably be acting. Since I have personal experience with her directing abilities, I decided I needed to see her acting as soon as possible. So yesterday I headed to Wetumpka Depot Theatre to catch Ms. Gerrells appearing in 'NIGHT MOTHER.

As Artistic Director of South City Theatre for the past three years, she has watched the company grow. Just this month the theatre has moved into a new space in Pelham, Alabama where they will have more room, updated facilities and a more visible and accessible location. Ms. Gerrells credits the mayor of Pelham as being instrumental in helping SCT get into their new space. Hopefully it will be a boost to the city to have a top notch theatre as well as a help to SCT to be closer to metro Birmingham. They will also be nearer to restaurants and on a main thoroughfare. They hope to reach a whole new audience and have an expanded talent pool to draw from when audition time rolls around.

Ms. Gerrells also really hopes to see the children's wing of the theatre grow in the new location. The first thing to happen in the new space is the spring camp for kids. There are also plans for a summer camp as well. Sharing the love of theatre with the next generation is very important to every actor I know and South City agrees.

Another opportunity that everyone sees in the new space is being more visible to attract corporate sponsors. Running a theatre is expensive and without additional income, a theatre cannot survive. Between rent, utilities, and royalties (often more expensive for popular offerings) donations are crucial. Finding a sponsor for a particular show would be beneficial to the theatre and the sponsor.

In the middle of the "big move" for South City, Ms. Gerrells is also busy with other projects. She has just finished directing a Wee Folks production for Birmingham Children's Theatre and she is appearing in 'NIGHT MOTHER. In a collaboration between South City Theatre and the Wetumpka Depot Theatre, 'NIGHT MOTHER was entered in to the Alabama Conference of Theatre (ACT) where it took top honors, not only for the play but for both actresses involved, Ms. Gerrells and Kristy Meanor. These honors made them eligible to perform at SETC (Southeastern Theatre Conference) which is being held in Chattanooga this year on March 4-8. 'NIGHT MOTHER hopes to advance to the national festival which will be held this summer in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

'NIGHT MOTHER is a difficult show to watch and deals with the taboo topic of suicide. Although teen suicide gets a little attention, middle age and elderly suicide rarely does. This play has a few light hearted moments as mother and daughter discuss their lives and how they got where they are, and during those moments you hope the play will take a positive turn. Spoiler alert- it does not. Both actresses seem very comfortable on stage and with each other. Their characters have arguments, loving moments, and shared memories, but through it all the tension builds. I felt the tightness in my chest as Ms. Gerrells tries to change the mind of her middle aged daughter. I felt her panic and emotion as she pleads with her daughter to give up her idea. Both actresses turn in top notch performances and the set (which has to be put together in ten minutes during competition) is very realistic to the situation. As the director said in his curtain speech, I like their chances to advance to the next level of competition.

I see why Sue Ellen picked acting as her favorite on the day we talked- she seems comfortable and more than capable on stage. And although she is busy moving SCT forward into a new era, and she is one of the best directors I've ever worked with, I hope she will continue to act as well. I saw last night what a gift she has.

To find out more about South City Theatre go to www.southcitytheatre.com.

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