FRIDAY 5 (+1): REALLY REALLY Director Natalie Risk of 2SST

Tonight ushers a new theater company into existence: Second Stage Student Theatre, dedicated to providing opportunities for students to tell culturally relevant stories from the diverse perspectives of their generation. 2SST was founded by three college students from Nashville who wanted to create work for their peers and the Nashville community outside of the normal educational offerings provided at their universities. This is the first, fully-staged production from 2SST and we are excited about the future ahead.

2SST debuts Really Really tonight at Actors Bridge Ensemble's space at Darkhorse Theatre, featuring a cast that includes Virouna Elia, Connor Weaver, Scott Patrick Wilson, Haley Sue Pearson, Sam Kell, Becca Risley and Kwame Marah, all under the direction of Natalie Risk.

Hell week or no, Natalie Risk somehow found the time in a crazy week of technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and classes to sit down and answer our slate of six Friday 5 (yes, we know the name is confusing - not to mention it's Thursday) in order to give you some insight into what makes her tick, theatrically speaking, and to explain why she thinks you need to come see her new show...

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? My parents have always been giant theater nerds, so I've been exposed to theater all my life. The first show I remember seeing and really loving was this Egyptian play called (translated) The School of the Mischievous. It was my parents' favorite play and they had a recording of it from when it first premiered that we still watch sometimes. I think I've seen it at least 20-30 times by this point. It's really funny.

As far as being a part of a show, we did this school show when I was in kindergarten that we kind of wrote about professions and I played a chef. It was weird and honestly not very good, but it was a lot of fun to be a part of and the rest of history.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I really love coffee and I always order coffee before every rehearsal and performance. I feel like every show has a drink and honestly just smelling it pulls me into that world. Caffeine is also generally a strong factor in my ability to do anything, so that's a part of it too. Really Really has been a black Americano or a light roast.

What is your favorite "the show must go on" moment? I stage managed The Compleat Wrks of Willm Shakspear (abridged) at Lipscomb last year and there's a rap section that has really loud, fun music underneath. One night, an actor's mic went out and there was no chance for us to switch it out. Because of how loud the music was supposed to be, there was no way we would have been able to hear him, no matter how loud he tried to be. So, Nat McIntyre (he directed the show) grabs a handheld mic from the booth, runs down through the audience and onto the stage, hands Andrew the mic, gives Andrew a quick pat on the back, and runs off and we continued the show.

Who is your theatrical crush? Ramin Karimloo. I saw him play Jean Valjean in the Les Miserables revival a few years back and I was shaken.

What is your dream role? That's ever changing, as it is for everyone. Recently, I've been reading a lot of Lorca and I desperately want to direct either Yerma, Blood Wedding, or the The House of Bernarda Alba.
I also really want to play Eurydice in Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice. That show is shockingly underrated.

Why should people come see Really Really? I've been doing theatre for a very long time and I have never worked on a project I believe in this much. We started Second Stage Student Theatre to create art about our generation that pushes boundaries and explores themes that are necessary points of conversation for our culture. It's very easy to become desensitized to statistics and articles, which is why storytelling in any format, but particularly theatre, is so powerful and influential. This is a story that is aching to be heard. We get to use the power of theatre to shed light on themes that have been shrouded in guilt and shame and fear. My hope and my prayer is that this show pulls back those veils and ignites a discussion that spreads across Nashville. This is a difficult show to digest, but since when has safe art pushed us forward?

About the show: Second Stage STUDENT THEATRE (2SST) in association with Sideshow at Actors Bridge presents...Really Really by Paul Downs Colaizzo at the Actors Bridge Ensemble Studio at Darkhorse Theatre. There will be post-show talk-backs each night after the performance.

Show dates: March 23rd, 7:30 pm; March 24th, 7:30 pm; March 25th, 7:30 pm

Tickets: $15 online in advance or at the door.
$5 STUDENT RATE AVAILABLE WITH STUDENT ID
http://tinyurl.com/2sstreallyreally
(contact secondstagestudenttheatre@gmail.com for student discount code)

When morning-after gossip about privilegEd Davis and ambitious Leigh turns ugly, self-interest collides with the truth and the resulting storm of ambiguity makes it hard to discern just who's a victim, who's a predator, and who's a Future Leader of America. All that's certain is when the veneer of loyalty and friendship is stripped back, what's revealed is a vicious jungle of sexual politics, raw ambition, and class warfare where only the strong could possibly survive. ADVISORY: The production includes strong language and mature content including sexual violence.

Starring: Virouna Elia, Connor Weaver, Scott Patrick Wilson, Haley Sue Pearson, Sam Kell, Becca Risley and Kwame Marah

Directed by Natalie Risk; Stage Managed by Brooke Bethel; Lighting Design by Will Scroggins; Scenic Design by Billy Ivy; Costume Design by Robyn Smith; and Sound Design by Natalie Risk. Producers: Scott Patrick Wilson, Morgan Bowling & Bekah Purifoy

About 2SST: Second Stage Student Theatre is dedicated to providing opportunities for students to tell culturally relevant stories from the diverse perspectives of their generation. 2SST was founded by three college students from Nashville who wanted to create work for their peers and the Nashville community outside of the normal educational offerings provided at their universities. This is the first, fully-staged production from 2SST and we are excited about the future ahead.

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