Imagine spending long hours into the night during the school week and every Sunday with one of your professors.
Sound appealing?
It has been for more than 22 students who have willingly given up their time to do so.
Since rehearsals began March 2, students involved in the upcoming production of “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” a comedic play written by Steve Martin, have been working more than 25 hours a week with their director, Theatre Fairfield’s Heather Parady.
Along with directing “Picasso,” Parady has taught several theater classes at Fairfield for the past five years including introduction to performing arts, introduction to theater, acting, advanced acting and improvisational theater. She is also the director of Theatre Fairfield’s “On the Spot” improvisational acting troupe.
At Fairfield, Parady has previously directed “Pippin,” “A Tuna Christmas,” and more than 50 improvisation and sketch shows with “On the Spot.”
“This is the first time I have been a director, teacher, mother and wife all at once,” said Parady. “Thank God for my husband who has been with our two-year-old daughter every night.”
“Almost everyone in the cast has either been directed or taught by Heather, so we are all very comfortable working with her on this show,” said Tim Eberle ’05, a cast member of “Picasso.”
In fact, 10 out of the 11 cast members have taken at least one theater class with Parady at some point. The actors agreed that having a relationship with Parady prior to working on this production has been nothing but positive.
“It is definitely a plus to work with these students as a professor, as well as a director,” said Parady. “You get to carry out what you are doing in the classroom onto the stage.”
Students are able to work on personal challenges they may have during the production more intimately, according to Parady.
“The fact that we went into this show with a pre-existing relationship with her helped the whole ensemble come together almost immediately,” said Eberle.
Dan Scivoletti ’07 agreed.
“She is very different to work with whether as a teacher or a director,” said Scivoletti. “Compared to other directors in the past, this experience has been much different. She gets very personal and it’s a change to have someone in that position doubling as not only your director or teacher, but as your friend.”
Scivoletti felt Parady went above and beyond other directors he had worked with in the past.
“My part isn’t even that big and she dedicated an hour and a half of rehearsal one time just helping me out,” said Scivoletti.
Not only are the actors enthusiastic about working with Parady outside of class, but the crew as well.
“Working with Heather [as a director] isn’t like working with a teacher,” said Jill Amato ’05, assistant director of “Picasso.” “She is our director; therefore we treat her as such. Since we know her as our teacher as well, we are all very close to her and trust her with all of our hearts, which allows us to explore and create onstage in a very free atmosphere.”
Kelly Henn ’07, who is currently taking Parady’s introduction to theater class, has been working closely with Parady as the stage manager of the show. She too, has found the experience to be beneficial.
“It’s interesting to see how she implements what she is teaching in class with how she directs,” said Henn. “I have gotten to know her much better and it’s cool to see both sides of her.”
Brigid Williams ’07, technical coordinator for “Picasso,” agreed.
“It has been an absolute joy to work with Heather because she is a wonderful person,” said Williams. “I have had the opportunity to work with guest directors and they have all been great people. I don’t think it’s a matter of working at the school, but the individual who makes the project great.”
Parady is very reluctant to take all the credit for the expected upcoming success of the show.
“Everyone has been working so hard on this show,” said Parady. “The attitude from everyone, cast and crew, is very positive. I love creating theater at Fairfield. Everyone here goes above and beyond the call of duty. The show will definitely bring an enjoyable evening of theater.”
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