BWW Interviews: Melissa Bedinger Hade, A Life in the Theatre

Melissa Bedinger Hade is one of those actors who become totally immersed in her work. She's that kind of director, as well, and throughout her career in Nashville theatre, she's played a wide range of roles and helmed some of the best-loved productions we can remember.

Now working on the role of "Martha" in Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, one of those roles every actress longs for, her resume also includes First Night Award-winning turns as Sally Bowles in Cabaret and as Madame de Tourvel in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Her list of directing credits is even more eclectic: Lady Frederick, Lady Windermere's Fan, O Jerusalem, Quilters, The Tempest, A Winter's Tale and Crimes of the Heart - and that's just a sampling of her multi-faceted list of assignments.

Melissa has been a stalwart of the Nashville stage community for years, winning hearts and accolades alike with her sensitive performances and clear-eyed vision of what works best onstage. She recently took time to consider our questions and offer our readers a look into her "Life in the Theatre"...

What was your first taste of theatre?

My brother, Graham Bedinger, was involved in theatre. The strongest memories are when I would ride up with my parents to see him in plays at Western Kentucky University. He worked with a brilliant Oral Interp professor, James Pierce. I saw adaptations of Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, Farenheit 451, Final Payments, The World According to Garp,and a lovely production about Thomas Merton. The Merton play was the first play I ever directed, Under the Sign of the Waterbearer. When I followEd Graham's footsteps to WKU, I was fortunate enough to work with Dr. Pierce and owe my love of the written word to my brother and that professor.

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

I've made more money directing than I have acting. After getting my Master's in Directing from The University of Memphis, I worked for two years as managing director of Theatre Memphis' Showagon. I learned a lot about myself as an artist working with Showagon. I'm a sprinter not a marathoner...I prefer one project at a time with breaks from theatre in between. I have worked as a teaching artist in the Memphis and the Nashville school systems and I was an NEA Artist-in-Residence in Mississippi. Now, however, I am so content to create theatre on my own terms. I love actors and I love working with them.

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

At risk of sounding undignified...I knew I loved theatre when I startedplaying theatre games in college. I finally discovered a real sense of play. I truly started living when I started doing theatre. I got my degree in Visual Art, but I find drawing and painting too solitary. Theater gave me community and energy, made me excited about creating, taught me to laugh a lot, and I experienced true confidence for the first time in my life.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville?

I always thought the grass was greener. When I went to Memphis, I was in that state of mind, but the grass wasn't greener. Nashville looked really good from there...I gained perspective. Sometimes you don't know what you have until to leave it for a while. I also learned that I didn't have to make money to do theatre. In a way....I was set free and I found contentment. I owe so much to my dear husband, Kirby Hade, who understands my need to create and is so supportive. What are the best parts of working here? Freedom! I can do anything I want to...I am free. Free to fail as well as free to succeed and it's all about the opportunity to grow as an artist and a human being. Also, I love my theater family here...they are da bomb.

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

Right now I am rehearsing Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? I turned 50 this year, and was starting to think the good parts had passed me by. Because I spend most of my time directing, I haven't been on stage much in the last few years. I auditioned for this amazing part and am fortunate to have the opportunity to play it. She is the role of a lifetime. I am really thrilled to get to do the play with such an amazing cast.. I have to thank the director, Michael Roark, for this grand opportunity. (Warning: Shameless Self Promotion: Virginia Woolf opens March 19 and runs through April 3rd, produced by ACT 1 at Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Avenue...for more information: www.act1online.com) On the directing front: I really want to direct The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl.

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

I have no idea. I wrote a biographical play and local actress Amanda Bailey was excellent as me. She's terrific!

What's your favorite play/musical?

Favorite play? The Dresser. Favorite musical? Cabaret.

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?

Ruth Sweet, one of the finest acting teachers I ever had, Ingmar Bergman for symbolism, Michael Shurtleff for opposites and Peter Brooks for the empty space. Sorry, that is a very long list to limit to three.

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?

Love the art within yourself, not yourself in the art. Be fearless!

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