BWW Interviews: Artistic Director Michael Driscoll at Alliance Repertory Theatre Talks SMUDGE

New Jersey Theater has several companies gearing up for the fall season. Today we are talking with the Artistic Director of one of those about their season premiere, the play SMUDGE by Rachel Axler at Alliance Repertory Theatre. Welcome Michael Driscoll! Celebrating 14 years this season. That must be exciting.

Michael Driscoll: It is very exciting to enter our 14th season. When I took over Alliance Repertory in 2006 with $234 in the checking account I wasn't sure how long we could survive quite frankly. But we have prevailed thru hard economic times and look forward to a new season that includes our new 2nd home: the Wharton Music Center.

It is a true testament to any arts organization to survive that long, especially during tough economic times. Congrats. I see you are starting with a dark comedy. Tell us what made you choose SMUDGE?

The story of SMUDGE intrigued me. SMUDGE is not just a play about a unique baby, it’s about shattered expectations and the struggle to determine what constitutes a "quality" life. These are the issues at the heart of this play. Plus my technical director Ed Pearson is always looking for a challenge and he sure has got one with this show.

Did you see it when it ran at the Julia Miles Theater in NYC in 2010?

No I did not but I wish I did. I'm a big fan of Cassie Beck who played Colby.

What has the rehearsal process been like working with your three actors?

The 3 actors, all company members, have been a delight so far. And we are all on the same page, which is a boon to any director.

That is absolutely great when it gels in that way. I love that you find these smaller shows (sometimes small casts) that everyone may not know. You've always chosen such a diverse line-up at Alliance. What has been your mission since starting the company?

Alliance's was formed by Jerry Marino and Jeff Streger back in 1999. Their mission at that time was to produce thought-provoking, challenging cutting Edge Theater. I have tried to honor that by producing such shows as BLACKBIRD, MATCH and REASONS TO BE PRETTY, to name a few.

It’s wonderful you carry on their original mission. Are you personally drawn to a certain type of play or do you think about what your audiences want to see?

I try to find plays that both entertain and make people think. I think people are tired of the same old, same old. We offer them something different.

We hear so often the difficulty of arts organizations to find an audience, stay afloat during this economy as you mentioned before. But you are part of the professional alliance in NJ. Can you tell the readers about that?

I'm not gonna lie, it has been difficult. Despite winning awards like Top Ten Plays of the Year in 2011 and best Comedy of the Year in 2012 both from the Star Ledger, most of the theater going public has yet to discover us.

New Jersey has so many theater companies producing such amazing work, there is always much to choose from. But it’s wonderful you receive the awards you have. Do you feel a comradeship among those groups to maintain the overall outlook of the arts for the state?

Yes I do. Nowadays a young couple can venture into Manhattan to see a show and by the time they are done spending on tickets, tolls, parking, dinner etc it’s close to $500, if not more. But right in their backyard is Quality Theater at less than half that cost. That is the message the professional theaters in NJ wants to get across.

We are certainly glad you continue to bring such wonderful live arts to the northern NJ area. What does the rest of your season look like?

Up next is JAILBAIT, a play about 2 young teen women who dress older to get into a club to meet older men, and the changes it has on all of them. THE DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY concerns a student's death and the effects it has on his family, friends and teachers. In 100 SAINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW both a priest and his cleaning women deal with issues of faith and religion, one moving closer to them, the other away. MATT AND BEN begs the question: what if 2 of Hollywood's golden boys really didn't write ‘Good Will Hunting’ but had some sort of mysterious help? Also we will have PUSS IN BOOTS in March for the children.

Michael thanks so much for taking time away from rehearsals to chat with us and tell us about your company.

SMUDGE runs at the Wharton Music Center in Berkley Heights, NJ Sept 14-29 Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 and Sunday the 23 at 2:00 pm. Lili Marques, Gus Ibranyi and Brad Howell star. For tickets and information, visit alliancerep.org or call 908.472.1502.

 

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