The Ensemble Blog

Stuck on Jessica Hatlo

Posted by Miski on March 25, 2012

Let’s face it, everyone gets stuck from time to time – whether it be your typical writers block, during a daily double on Jeopardy, or even your sweet early 80’s manual BMW breaking down on a road trip – it is a universal trial humans are obligated to endure. But in some cases, getting stuck can be a totally original experience, at least that is how Jessica Hatlo saw the predicament of one particular woman.

Inspired by a news article about a woman from Ness City, Kansas who was physically stuck to her boyfriend’s toilet seat, Hatlo paints a background of the lives of the two individuals to explain just how something so strange could happen.

Washington Ensemble Theatre had the honors of debuting Jessica Hatlo’s first production last Friday to a packed house. The lovely Jessica sat down with me to talk ‘Stuck,’ her collaboration with Director Sarah Grosman, and a few of her future endeavors.

Why did you decide to tell this story?

Certain stories are so unsatisfying compared to what the event would have actually been like. I wondered what could have changed in the boyfriend to make him call (the police) that day, after two years. The article didn’t explain that situation. It’s a play that talks about what changed- what made that day special.

Like Amy (the one stuck to the toilet), there are a lot of people who shut out reality and can go to extremes. This particular person has an outlandish consequence for a familiar story – the consequence is she looses everything by shutting out the world and keeping just one thing (her boyfriend.) And when you lose that one thing, you lose everything.

How did you come to collaborate with director Sarah Grosman?

Sarah and I went to school together. She was a few years under me at Cornish. She has these uncompromising standards that I appreciate.

We collaborate really well and she was very receptive to me and the play. I knew how much she cared about the story- and she got the concept… I think she did a great job – I’m glad I got to work with her in this stage of her career. She is going places. I’m happy to be apart of that journey with her.

What do you want people to take away from this show?

What I would like this play to do is pull that sort of person (Amy) to the forefront. That you grow to accept these people and see that they’re no that different from us… Amy’s biggest crime is not participating in society.

What’s your link with Washington Ensemble Theatre?

When I was still in school, I was an intern with QTET for their 4^th season. I was there for four years after that as an ensemble member and Artistic Director. I stayed on good terms with the ensemble and I’m glad they took response (to Stuck). It is my first produced play.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

QTET will soon take up a lot of my time, it’s coming up on its 5^th production in June. I’m also involved with Pe-mo. On June 5^th we will have a dance performance at the Seattle International dance festival. Blink- full length version is also next on the horizon. And I’m writing my next piece.

Mark Siano in the WHITE HOT seat

Posted by kelsey on January 30, 2012

Longtime friend of the Ensemble and Crooner-extraordinaire Mark Siano, is branching out.

This time he’s putting down the microphone, hiding the piano and snazzy jazz outfits, and producing a chilling new drama by playwright Tommy Smith.

I sat down with Mark earlier this week to talk about his new show, WHITE HOT, starring our own Co-Artistic Director Hannah Victoria Franklin. The collaboration process goes back a long way—Hannah starred in Tommy Smith’s Sextet in September 2010 at Washington Ensemble Theatre—-Tommy and Mark were in a sketch comedy troupe called The Habit back in the day.

After a pushed back opening, Tommy Smith’s WHITE HOT made it’s sold out West Coast debut at West of Lenin on Friday.

Why Hannah for the role?

Hannah came with the package from the beginning. Honestly as soon as I read the script I couldn’t imagine those words coming out of anyone else’s mouth. She loved the script, and we went back and forth for over a year, it was always in the back of our minds…She’s a perfect actress for the role of Siss. She’s one of my favorite actresses working in Seattle right now.

How did you come to collaborate with playwright Tommy Smith?

It’s something we’ve been talking about for at least 5 years now. He was in The Habit back in the day, most people don’t know he’s got a sketch comedy background. He’s better known for his plays that are a bit more on the dramatic side. After the success of Sextet at WET, we thought it would be a good time to do another one of his shows, while the memory was still fresh.

What do you want people to take away from this show?

I want them to think about the issues that are raised, about power, and marriage, and violence, and ruminate on those themes. Ultimately, it’s about seeing great theatre, creating great dialogue, to get your mind going.

What’s your link with Washington Ensemble Theatre?

I like to call myself the Ensemble’s “unofficial, official wingman”. Hannah called me the Ensemble’s “guardian angel”. But I love the Ensemble and love what they do. Part of doing WHITE HOT is because I was inspired by what I saw at Washington Ensemble. I saw Sextet was like “I want do something like that!” The Ensemble has such a great reputation—as very serious, very devoted and talented artists, and I wanted to put on that professional of a production with that caliber of people. I think the Ensemble could go toe to toe with big multi-million dollar houses in the quality of production.

Well thanks Mark, we like you too. What’s next on the horizon for you?

My next show is an original musical at the Triple Door a month from now, then we are taking it to New York City. It’s called Modern Luv. It’s hilarious. It’s a comedy about love and romance in the digital age. Facebook, twitter, text messaging, and about courting someone in the modern age.

WHITE HOT runs until February 11^th at West of Lenin. Tickets available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/215023

Jaimie Healy as Gallery Artist~Reception January 14th

Posted by kelsey on December 28, 2011

Washington Ensemble Theatre is excited to announce that Jaimie Healy will be the third artist featured in The Little Theatre lobby gallery.

Her magical-meat inspired watercolors will be hung in conjunction with The Callers and Urban Tanuki Samurai from Friday, January 13th through Monday, February 6th.

We invite you to join us for the gallery opening on Saturday, January 14th from 5-7 and stay to watch the World Premiere Musical of The Callers.

RSVP here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/303691533009180/

The lobby gallery is curated by Ella Dorband, who also wrote The Callers.

Gallery Opening

Posted by kelsey on October 27, 2011

It’s Season 8 and we’re all Home Grown.

This year, in correspondence with every show opening, the walls of Washington Ensemble Theatre will come alive with local art work.

Next up: Stacey Rozich

Stacey’s mischievous mythological monsters will populate the lobby for the duration of Mormon Bird Play. This Saturday, October 29, we will be hosting an opening reception from 5-7.

RSVP on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=250639928322051

Curated by Ensemble Collaborator, Ella Dorband.

Grandma’s little secret: MilkMilk Lemonade

Posted by misty weaver on September 22, 2011

Could it be that the sage and sometimes surly Nana from MilkMilkLemonade has a secret past? Who is this Carlotta we find on the Internets, making rice krispie treats and talkin’ fashion? Why does she look so much like our own Nana? It seems that in her youth, she was much more talkative and flamboyant.

See the video: Carlotta Sue Philpot makin rice krispie treats

And then we come to find out that Carlotta Sue Philpot is just one of the many faces of local talent extraordinaire Troy Mink. Another example of how this season is home-grown, Mink has been entertaining Seattle audiences with homespun wisdom for many years. We’re thrilled to see him on stage as Nana in MilkMilk Lemonade!