NASHVILLE THEATER 101: Tonya Pewitt, Shawn Whitsell & Denice Hicks

Why on earth would a reasonably well-adjusted, fairly intelligent person choose a career onstage? Are the applause and adulation that come over the footlights from the audience enough to satisfy that which propels them forward? Perhaps there are deeper, more resonant factors that lead otherwise normal, rational people to become part of a creative extended, however dysfunctional, family? We asked several Nashville actors those questions in hopes of finding out the truth and their answers-as unique as the individuals themselves-may possibly surprise you, maybe enlighten you and, quite possibly, inspire you.

Today, in our second installment of Nashville Theater 101, in which we introduce members of the Nashville theater family to the larger theatrical world: Tonya Pewitt, Shawn Whitsell and Denice Hicks. The questions we put to them were fairly basic ones: Why do you do theater? And why do you choose Nashville, perhaps best known as the home of country music, as your home base? What they told us proved to be very telling and very interesting...

Tonya Pewitt is a musical powerhouse, starring in productions as varied as Street Theatre Company's Hairspray (as Tracy Turnblad) and The Keeton Theatre's The King and I (as Mrs. Anna), and delivering a showstopping performance at The First Night Honors 2014: I do theater because it is what I love. I have been drawn to it since I was little. My grandmother and I always watched classic musicals at night and there was something about the music and dancing that just drew me in. When I was around five or six and came offstage from my dance recital, I told my aunt "I want to be on stage forever." And I never let go of that dream.

I have been pursuing theater here in Nashville for seven years. I began right out of college. I was born and raised here in Middle Tennessee and chose not to leave because I love my family; I had no money to move to New York or Chicago; I love Nashville and realize that this is the place for me for many different reasons.

Shawn Whitsell may well be the hardest working man in the theater business; as a playwright, director and producer, he is dedicated to creating original theater for audiences all over the United States, but particularly for lucky Nashville audiences via his own Destiny Theatre Experience (named after his daughter): I do theatre because it's one of my greatest passions. Not only does it fulfill me creatively, but I am also able to use it to educate, inspire and entertain others. I do theatre because I have to. It's a part of my purpose. It's my responsibility and I love it.

I started doing theatre in Nashville in 2002, while living and attending college in Murfreesboro. I do theater in Nashville because this is where I live and I want to deposit something positive and enriching into my community.

Denice Hicks is often referred to as "a Nashville treasure" and is the artistic director for the world-renowned Nashville Shakespeare Festival who has been onstage for virtually every local theater company, including NSF, Nashville Rep, Blackbird Theatre and Actors Bridge Ensemble: I do theater because my mother instilled a love of the art in me when I was very young. She loved it and I caught the bug. I have continued to do it because I believe that this very personal art form can help us retain our humanity. I believe that gathering people together to share in meaningful and stimulating experiences is what this life is all about. Being a part of an ensemble that collaborates creatively to create a new world into which audience members are invited to play an essential role is the most exciting way to live.

I fell in love with Nashville when I moved here in 1980, and have grown ever deeper in love with each passing year. I've considered leaving and flirted with other places, but I love the people, the weather, the lay of the land and the history of this city and am excited to continue to create worthwhile art here. The Nashville theater community is rich with talent, and also some of the kindest and most generous people on the planet. It's a very special place to live, work and play.

I moved here as an actor in 1980, but didn't really consider what I was doing "art" until later. When I was a young actor, I felt like part of someone else's art. The older I got, the more I began to understand and respect the art of acting, and now as a director consider it to be the most phenomenal of skills. I started directing in 1992, and I love watching actors make creative choices as they breathe life into plays. Rehearsal is really some of the best theatre, and I'm always sorry that the majority of people don't get to see that part of the process.

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