Interview: UCF's Collaborative Work, L'HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT, Promises to be an Enchanting Evening of Art

The UCF School of Performing Arts is joining together its talent from the departments of music, theatre and dance to provide us with a unique evening of art in Orlando. For one night only, on October 4 at 7pm, the classic Stravinsky work, L'HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT (THE SOLDIER'S TALE) will be presented at the Visual Arts Building Auditorium on the UCF Campus. A collaborative show of this variety often carries the ability to transcend the space in which it is performed. With Halloween approaching in just a few weeks, a dance with the devil seems particularly fitting. In anticipation of the event, BroadwayWorld's April Montgomery got together with Director, Jim Brown, Music Director, Dr. Thad Anderson, Student/Actor, David Klein and Marketing Director, Heather Gibson, to get the inside scoop on this exciting, exclusive project.

BWW: I know L'HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT is based on a Russian folk tale. For those readers who are unfamiliar with this work, can you please give a brief summary?

Jim Brown: The central story of "The Soldier's Tale" is a variation on the classic Faustian Legend: making a deal with the Devil to gain worldly wealth and love in exchange for one's soul. Our tale is created around the beautiful and lush score for an orchestral septet, by the incomparable Igor Stravinsky, and is told through both spoken word and dance by an ensemble of multi-talented actors and dancers.

BWW: What were the biggest challenges in combining dance, music and theatre for a collaborative work?

JB: Because the story is told through music, dance, and spoken word and traditional storytelling, at first the different components had to be separated and rehearsed individually. But now, they are slowly being melded together, to create a seamless and fluid flow of storytelling through the synthesis of all of these mediums. This can sometimes feel 'fractured' and disconnected at first, but slowly, and with patience and focus, the pieces are gradually and lovingly fused into one. It sort of feels like gluing together the pieces of a broken porcelain cup, and trying to make the final result smooth and seamless to the eye and touch!

David Klein: I think that the biggest challenge was understanding the music because of the changes in tempo and time signatures. It's not a typical 5-6-7-8 beat.

BWW: Can you tell us a little about the casting process for this unique piece?

JB: Casting was a collaboration between myself for the actors to tell the story through traditional spoken word and stage acting, UCF Music Professor Thad Anderson, for the Orchestra (which is comprised of all UCF Music Faculty members) and UCF student choreographer Jared Sierra, for auditioning and casting the dancers in the story.

BWW: What is the inspiration behind the direction of the piece?

JB: The inspiration behind my personal direction for the piece is three-fold. Firstly, I was inspired by the music by Igor Stravinsky. I have always loved his music, and his great influence on the world of music, and was immediately drawn to invest myself in this project that featured his beautiful, yet challenging score. Secondly, the 'spirit of collaboration' was a real draw for me. To be able to work for the first time with my colleague in the music department, Dr. Thad Anderson, is a real thrill and pleasure. I hope it is the first of many collaborations with Thad and other faculty members from Music. And last, but not least, my inspiration for everything I do at UCF: our students.

BWW: Tell me about the excitement of putting on a one night event like this. Why only one night?

JB: Although it is unfortunate that we will be performing for only one performance at this time, the UCF School of Performing Arts is hoping to bring "The Soldier's Tale" to this years "UCF Celebrates the Arts" celebration at the Dr. Phillips Center this coming Spring of 2016.

BWW: Do you have a favorite moment in the show?

Dr. Thad Anderson: As the conductor, one of my favorite musical moments is a section in The Little Concert where the narrator "shouts" over the music, which is building to a climax. Important themes are brought back in the instruments and this moment comes at a significant time within the work.

DK: I love the moment towards the end of the show when Joseph, the soldier, is fighting with the devil by playing his fiddle and ends up defeating him, for the time being.

BWW: How do you think the collaborative experience helps to convey the plot?

TA: The sonic and visual elements compliment themselves very well, especially in a period work like The Soldier's Tale. A suite version of the work exists for the musicians only, but it really comes to life when the actors and dancers are involved.

BWW: I understand that the music from this show, interestingly, resembles the American "jazz band." Is this accurate?

TA: Partially accurate. The multi-percussion component sometime eludes to a trap set. The trumpet, trombone, and clarinet writing can sound a bit jazzy at times, but the inclusion of violin and bassoon make this argument challenging. The violin is a featured instrument throughout, which sort of works against this idea. In the Three Dances movements there is a Ragtime, but I would say it is loosely based on the style. There is no question, however, that Stravinsky was interested and influenced by jazz music.

BWW: What do you want audience members to take away from the performance?

JB: I would like audience members to take away these two things: to enjoy the many talents of both our UCF Students and Faculty, expressed through this most unique piece of theatre; and to experience this classic tale that reminds us to value and celebrate the simple and priceless joys of everyday life!

DK: I would love for them to appreciate the collaboration of theatre, music, and dance. I personally love watching the dancers in rehearsal and I'm so excited and happy working with them each day of rehearsal.

BWW: Do you think audience members of all ages will enjoy this show, or is it more for a particular age group?

TA: I do. Those that can relate to post World War I history will find it particularly enjoyable, but I'm confident that it will entertain all age groups.

BWW: Do you have plans for any future collaborative works at UCF?

Heather Gibson: Yes! We host UCF Celebrates the Arts in April at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. As a follow up to last year's inaugural event, this year we are planning two weeks of free music and theatre events, as well as exhibits by the School of Visual Arts and Design. Our students and faculty members also work together on projects on campus. The School of Performing Arts has a collaborative musical approximately every two years. Our last one was The Music Man and we are looking at another joint production next spring. We have some joint faculty and student recitals, dancers from the Theatre department have participated in 'Symphony Under the Stars' and Choirs concerts, the bands have held Broadway-style cabaret shows with Musical Theatre students belting the tunes, and our design and technology faculty and staff assist the opera program with costumes and lights.

Photo Credit: Austin Warren

L'HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT has all the ingredients of an enchanting evening for the senses. Alas, there will only be one performance at 7pm on Sunday, October 4, so seats are selling quickly! Tickets are $10 for the general public and free for those with student or UCF ID. For tickets, you can call (407) 823-1500 or go to UCF's website at http://theatre.cah.ucf.edu/tickets.php.

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