BWW Interviews: Maryanna Clarke, A Life in the Theatre

It seems as if Maryanna Clarke is always in motion: As the founding artistic director of the Nashville-based Tennessee Women's Theatre Project, she always has multiple irons in the fire. As the mom of college student Kate (upon whom she dotes -- and of whom she is justifiably proud), she has all the responsibilites of motherhood on her shoulders. And as the wife of Chris Clarke (her theatrical partner-in-crime aka producer), she's got the wife role down pat!

Originally known in Nashville theatre circles as an actress, Maryanna first gained notice, both critical and otherwise, for her roles in Guys and Dolls, Blithe Spirit and Steel Magnolias, working for a whole slew of local companies, including Mansker Players, ACT 1 and Circle Players, during her acting career. Now, however, she's best known for creating the Tennessee Women's Theatre Project, which has gained notoriety in its brief existence for tackling works heretofore unproduced in the area, giving voice to new playwrights and allowing local actors the opportunity to get in on the ground floor, as it were, of some compelling original theatre.

Somehow, Maryanna found time to answer our questions and to give Nashville.BroadwayWorld.com readers a glimpse into her "Life in the Theatre." And here's a little nugget of information left out of the interview: Maryanna's New Year's resolution is to work outside of her TWTP environs -- maybe even direct a show outside of her adopted Tennessee home -- in 2010. Any takers?

What was your first taste of theatre?

The first taste of theatre that I remember was when I was a freshman in high school - a school trip to see Shakespeare (I can't remember what play) at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. That memory may be why I am so fond of McCarter - that and their glorious, annual Christmas Carol, which we faithfully attended when we lived in New Jersey.

What was your first real job (or responsibility) in the theatre?

My first real job was as an actor. In high school I played Zaneeta Shinn in a production of The Music Man.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theatre?

My husband, Chris, and I moved to Nashville to be involved in the music business - I was a singer at the time and had gotten some interest from a couple of record labels. So, we packed it up and moved here to build our "team." I struggled - a thousand miles away from our support system of family and friends who believed in us, I felt terribly alone.

Then I started to have voice problems, which went misdiagnosed for years. We'd been here for a few years, and I had a day job as a temporary legal secretary at a big downtown firm. It was a lovely spring day, and I was sitting on the steps in front of the building. I'd just finished my lunch and had closed my eyes to do some "visualizations" - you know: imagining myself in the successful career for which I'd been planning for years. Suddenly a strong voice inside me said, with absolute clarity, "it's not there for you." My eyes popped open and I looked around to see if maybe I had overheard someone's conversation. No one was there. Yikes!

I continued to pursue the music career - I didn't know what else to do! I had a voice coach, Phoebe Binkley, who had seen me struggle with my voice for a while. During one lesson, she suggested I give myself a break. Singing had become so difficult. She said I should not worry about singing for a while, and do something else creative. She suggested taking an acting class. So, I looked for a beginners class and took it. It didn't take long for me to realize where my true creative home was - in the theatre. That was over 20 years ago.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here?

I came to Nashville as a country/folk singer because this is where that part of the music industry is and because the record labels were calling. I stayed here because it's an easy place to live, work, meet people and raise a child. Bloom where you are planted - I got transplanted here, and here's where I have bloomed.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why?

I started my theater career as an actor. The same voice problem that ended my singing career also ended my acting career. When I started to answer this question, I thought I would pick a play I love or a role I've loved and let the actor in me choose something I can no longer do. But, you know, if I had it to do over, with the exception of the lack of a voice, I wouldn't change the outcome. I direct what I want, mount the productions that I want, meet talented actors, make friend with wonderful playwrights, and don't look back - only forward. I don't know what show I want do because I'm always looking for new works, and chances are I haven't discovered it yet!

Who would play you in the film version of your life story?

Isabella Rossellini

What's your favorite play/musical?

Oh, gosh - like asking a parent to choose their favorite child! There isn't one, but I'll give you the short list of the ones I love most and equally (in alphabetical order): Almost, Maine, Arcadia, Guys and Dolls and Kingfisher Days.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the THEATRE, who would you choose and why?

Miss Adelaide from Guys and Dolls (because she is my favorite character in musical theatre), Susan Coyne (because she is a talented playwright, who has become a friend but lives in Canada so we've never met) and my husband, Chris (TWTP's producer and "lifter of heavy things") because I know he'd like to meet them both, too!

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own theatrical dream...what would you say?

Go to college (not a conservatory program, but a real liberal arts college) and get your degree! I don't care what you get your degree in. You may think that you don't need to go to college to be an actor. You are wrong. You will have opportunities in academic theatre that you may not have for many years (playing older people), or that you may never have in the "real" world. You'll work more in a semester (in scene study and acting classes, as an actor for students studying directing, etc.) than a struggling actor may work in a year or more. And working is where you get your chops. Your brain will be stimulated in college in a way that it will never be anywhere else. You will have to take classes and be forced to think about things other than theater -- that's good! Intelligent, well educated, well-rounded individuals make fine actors - and fine actors get the work. There's the additional benefit that you will make contacts with people whose careers will grow with yours - people who are also beginning their professional careers. 

 

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