Feature with Slam Winner Meghan Heimbecker

Our first Slam of the season, our Halloween Slam, was on Wednesday October 24th.

The winner was was Meghan Heimbecker!

(Meghan Heimbecker at The Starving Artists Slam, photo by Bill Strouse)

Meghan was kind enough to answer a few questions on her Slam experience and other things.

What piece did you do to win The Slam?
 Donna from John Patrick Shanley's The Dreamer Examines His Pillow


What was one of your favorite shows you have done?
 My Children! My Africa! at the Wilma Theater

What did you like about The Starving Artists Slam?
The enthusiasm from the crowd for each performer to get up and do their thing

What is your favorite food?
 Yogurt & fruit & almonds & honey - all mixed together

If you had to choose between a blender and a toaster which would you pick?
Honestly?
A blender - to make smoothies...or hummus...or daquiris!

(Meghan Heimbecker performing a piece from The Dreamer Examines His Pillow, photo by Bill Strouse)

Meghan Heimbecker is from Philadelphia and has a BFA in Acting/Minor in Musical Theatre from Point Park Conservatory.  Local acting credits: Enchanted April (Walnut Street Theatre), My Children! My Africa! (Wilma Theater, Barrymore Nomination: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play), Six of One (11th Hour Theatre Company), Butterflies are Free (Montgomery Theater).  Local assistant directing credits: Trying, Finian's Rainbow (Walnut Street Theatre), Stormy Weather: Imagining Lena Horne (Prince Music Theater).  Meghan is a teaching artist for the Walnut Street Theatre, Upper Darby Summer Stage, Wolf Performing Arts Center and The Institute for the Arts in Education. 

(Meghan Heimbecker, photo by Bill Strouse)

 Thanks to Meghan again for answering these short questions. Our next Slam is on December 12th at Fergies Pub. You could be the next winner!

INTERVIEW WITH PLAYWRIGHT JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY

 (Steve Pollack, Bridget Dougherty, Chris Cherkis, and Cherie Roberts in Four Dogs and a Bone)

Hello eveybody,

Well we've got a new member on our team and here I am to introduce him. Some of you might remember this guy from several Starving Artists Monologue Slams, in fact this guy may even hold the record for the most entered contestent.........and sadly he never won. So we at HATG thought the consolation prize should be being a part of our team. After running the lights and sound for our staging of Streamers, and he'll be hosting our March 21rst Monologue Slam; Chris Morse came on full time as a member of HATG. Ladies and gentlemen I give our new production manager: CHRIS MORSE!

Our new Production Manager: Chris Morse!

Chris, now only 23, grew up in ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com ffice:smarttags" />Connecticut and moved to Philadelphia in 2002 to attend Temple University. His concentration was acting and he performed in several shows while at school, including Pericles, Fuente Ovejuna, Birdbath and Macbeth. Over the course of his college career he also became involved in the technical side of theater, working backstage, constructing sets, directing and even producing. And now he works with us!

So you've been part of the Slams for a while, any luck? ..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com ffice ffice" />

Hah hah. As you very well know, the only luck I've had while at the slams has been bad.

But I'm kidding, that's not true. Despite never winning the slam, and I could definitely have used that $100 some months, I think I ended up a winner in the end. I always received great responses when I performed, and I ended up a part of the company. So it definitely turned out well for me.

What do you like about the Slam?

There's nothing else like it right now. And that's surprising because as soon as I discovered it I realized how necessary it is for a growing theater community to h

ave. Actors need to know how to audition, and the only way to do that is through experience. The Slam gives that experience…not to mention the chance to win some cash, which every actor needs.

Are you looking forward to hosting a Slam, and how do you think it will be different then competing?

I think it will be a lot of fun, but I'm nervous. When I compete I'm using someone else's words. Hosting, I'll have to be entertaining all by myself. Let's hope I succeed, huh?

You'll be fine!

Is it a drawing? Is it a picture? Whatever it is, it's CHRIS MORSE!

How did you become involved with HATG other then the Slams?

Well, you asked me to do the lights and sound for Streamers at the Triangle and I so graciously said yes…because I have a problem saying no to people. 

Very good to know.

So what is role now at HATG?

Officially my job title is Production Manager, but I like to think of myself as the all-around schlepper. You need it done, and I'll do it. Or I'll try, at the very least.

What are you looking forward to being part of the company?

Anything and everything. I want to direct, act, produce and work on everything I can. Since you guys decided to invite me into HATG, I now have that opportunity and several good friends to help me and whom I can help in return.

Tell us something no one knows about yourself!

In all my 23 year, I've never gone to a concert. I think I may rectify that later this month, but for now it's true.

Its like a play only, only with more drunk people.

Well that is our interview with Chris Morse, the newest member of our little but growing company. Make sure you come out and see him host our Starving Artists Slam on March 21rst, 7pm, at Fergies Pub.

AND if you still want to sign up to enter the Slam there is still time, just email hatgtheatercompany@yahoo.com or give us a call at 215-525-1551.

More next week! Stay tuned....or something like that.

-dave

Late but final Streamers Update

Hello everyone who reads this blog thingy,

This has been a post that has been coming for a while, ever since last November. On November 9th, 10th, and 11th at The Triangle Theater HATG Theater Company presented an ambitious staged reading of David Rabe's play Streamers. During the course of those three nights patrons were treated to a wine and cheese reception before as well as what one of the actors dubbed it a "power read" of the play, completely blocked with props, costumes, and set pieces.

(HATG Theater Company with Major Mark Meaders before the final presentation of Streamers on November 11th)

A portion of the proceeds went to benefit an organization called Operation Helmet. Operation Helmet provides helmet upgrades for US Soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. These "upgrades" are not a "special" protection, they are the standard needed to protect from blasts which could result in brain damage or death.  Upgrades for helmets would generally cost soldiers on average of $100.00, which many by pass due to the cost, or what is even more disturbing pay for the upgrades but end up not wearing the helmet due to the uncomfortability. Operation Helmet seeks to provide our soldiers the best protection possible at no cost.

(Major Mark Meaders talks with Streamers actors Steve Pollack and Dan Rich)

On our closing night of the staged reading Major Mark Meaders of Operation Helmet was in attendance. Greeting the actors ahead before the show he had all cast and crew sign a helmet for a soldier. Major Meaders in an opening speech said that with these helmet upgrades, even if it only saves one life, that one life could save another. Through our generous houses we raised enough money to cover the cost of upgrades for three soldiers.

(Streamers actor Sean Gallagher with friends at Streamers after party)

At the Streamers after party Major Meaders awarded HATG Theater Company the Operation Helmet challenge coin for their hard work in raising money and awareness of such an important cause. We at HATG believe strongly that whether you personally agree with the war at hand, you MUST agree that the soldiers risking their lives deserve the best protection we as a country can provide.

(Streamers actor Richard N. Stevens with audience member and Philadelphia local actor James C. Roberts at Streamers after party)

On November 27th in an email to HATG from Operation Helemt's own Doc. Bob he wrote: "If together we can save just one precious life, time, effort and money from all of us will have been well spent. This week, we received a request from a Marine Expeditionary Unit headed for Anbar Province for 2,200 upgrade kits, as they can't get them through normal supply channels until after the first of the year! Much too late for troops headed into the most dangerous work in Iraq. Your donation will help tremendously."

(Streamers director Dave Ebersole accepts Operation Helmet's Challange Coin award for HATG Theater Company from Major Mark Meaders)

Thank you to all who attended the staged reading of Streamers, your cost of admission went to help make a soldier safer.

Thank you also to all the actors who participated in this event: Sean Gallagher, Michael Raimondo, Richard N. Stevens, Chris Banker, Steve Pollack, Eric Pederson, Dan Rich, Jim Ewald, and Mikus.

For more information and how to make a donation go to: http://www.operation-helmet.org/

Interview with actor Sean Gallagher

What did you think about this script when you first read it?

  I loved it.  I think theater is a powerful medium and can be used for more
than watching dancing monkey's.  Who doesn't love dancing monkey's? (I do, as long as they're pretty) They're my favorite. (oh mine too!)  But it can be entertaining and informative or at least challenge your intellect.  This play raise's a lot questions that it doesn't
answer.  That's up to the audience to think about.  That's what I love about
it.  It will entertain you as you watch and hopefully stir around in you mind and make you think afterwards.

How do you relate to your character?

  At first glance it was hard because Billy is homophobe with underlying
racism in him, which is nothing like me. (It really isn't!)  But once you get deeper you find
it easier to relate.  Billy is an extremely introspective, deep thinking individual.  He is always thinking about the past, present, life, war, and anything else that crawls into his brain.  I relate to his thinking which leads to his restlessness which I can understand completely.  Bottom line, Billy is a person in his early twenties who is scared and excited about his
life getting started just like any other person my age.


Do you think the emotions your character goes through in this play are
universal? Do you think soldiers today go through some of the same emotions?

  I think Billy represents the psyche of the solider no matter what war
their fighting.  It's the way his mind will travel and sway from pro-war to
anti-war that is universal.  You may believe in the war yet doubt may visit
your thoughts.  You may be against the war, yet moments of positivity will
arise.  Then there are the times, as Billy does, where you force or trick
yourself into believing because you don't have any other choice.  "I have to
be here for a reason".  So yes, I do think Billy's emotions are universal. 
I noticed in the play that every character pays a visit to Billy's bunk or
rack. Sure it could be because it's center stage, but I think it represents
them taking a seat in Billy's poisiton.  The "every solider".  And yes I do
think the soldiers today go through the same emotions especially with
Vietnam and the war in Iraq.  Because of that underlying question, "Should
we be there?"

 

(Sean is duckin bullets AND snakes in Streamers)
How challenging is doing this play as a staged reading as opposed to doing
this play as full production?

  It can be very difficult and cumbersome especially with this kind of
material.  It's challenging to be real and interact with your fellow actors
while holding a book.  At times I feel like it loses something and some
moments may come off as contrived. (just think about it as an illusion!)   Hopefully it comes off well enough where the audience forgets about the books and enjoys the show.

What was your favorite part of working on this piece?

  Collaboration.  Whether its working out little moments with the other
actors to identify our relationships.  Like Roger and Billy's handshake, or
the awkwardness of Richie and Billy, even Carlye and Billy's uncomfortable
scenes.  Also problem solving with you (Dave) with Billy's monologues.  When
I was stuck, you would never give me the answer but instead nudge in the
direction where I could find the meaning or emotion. (just remember that being part of the Dave Ebersole fan club doesn't pay, but offers nifty buttons!) 

 

It's been great. Thanks to all you guys.

Interview with actor Mike Raimondo

 

     I share his sexual orientation so I can relate to that.  Also coming from a family with some money.  We also both value having friends and being liked and accepted by others.  I think I can relate to his emotional openness and willingness to be vulnerable too. However,  I do not have some of his more effeminate personality traits and cattiness so there is some difference there.  I do not wear my openness as a gay man quite as openly as Richie does.

 

  What do you think the author was trying to say by writing my character?

 

     I am not positive on this but I think the author was using my character as an example of a man who is aware of his sexual preference and not necessarily afraid to hide it, even in a sensitive climate such as the army.  Richie acts as a foil for the other characters, in some way, as they are forced to examine their own views on homosexuality as well as how close it hits home.  He is the cause of much of the drama and conflict in the play. (as opposed to Mike in real life, Mike is NEVER the cause of drama or conflict......i really wouldn't know anyway.....)

 

  Do you think your character could exist today, in today's military?

     I definitely think he could exist today--as a real person, as I know several people like him.  As far as existing "as is" in the army today, I am not so sure.  With the "don't ask, don't tell" policy currently in place (however effective it may be),  I think Richie would have to be more secretive about his sexual orientation if he were to be accepted and serve in the armed forces now.

 

(Mike Raimondo right comforts actor Dan Rich left in Streamers)

 

What is your favorite part about this role/ this Staged Reading?

 

    My favorite part about the role is playing someone with some fundamental differences from myself. That is challenging.  My favorite part about the Staged Reading is participating in such a strong script--with messages and ideas that are still very valid today; and also working with such a great ensemble (including the actors, director, and stage manager). 

 

I like being in a play with "all guys"--it is my first of the sort and a feeling of brotherhood/bonding has developed to some level.  ""Testosterone teamwork"

 

 

Oh if we could ALL have testosterone teamwork!