Jackson Epperson, son of company members Abby and Jason, gives a rebel yell.Polarity Hits Baby Boom as Hamlet Rolls into Production
by Travis Gauchay
Jackson Epperson, son of company members Abby and Jason, gives a rebel yell.
A definite focus of Polarity Ensemble Theater’s upcoming production of Hamlet (May 23 - June 15) is that of the ultimate dysfunctional family. And while no births take place in the play, it’s been just the opposite for Polarity's family. In the span of two years, we’ve welcomed four little ones to the fold.
Polarity’s Managing Director Ann Keen has brought two PETs into the world. She and her husband, John, have Alex, two, and Ian, six months. Company member Mason Hill and his wife Kelly have Lilah, fifteen months, and fellow company members Abigail Trabue and Jason Epperson have their son, Jack, six months.
If all this baby-making continues, don’t be surprised if diaper expenditures and other tyke-related things try to make their way into Polarity’s yearly budget.
As artists in the company, changes are an inevitable part of the artistic process. But what about when you’ve recently brought someone else into this crazy world? How does that affect your artistic perspective? The ensemble members said varying degrees of the same thought: I’m more aware.
“Before I was more results oriented,” said Ann, who is directing Polarity’s upcoming show, Hamlet. “Now I’m much more patient with the processes and my approach to art. I enjoy the actor’s discoveries. I enjoy watching a good script come together.”
Abby—who is co-producing Hamlet with her fiancé Jason and playing Ophelia in the show—said similar things to Ann. “I appreciate it more,” she said. “It is truly a gift to be able to come back to work after giving birth less than a year ago and be able to attack the kind of projects I’ve been blessed with.”
For Mason, who plays the title role and provides fight choreography, his awareness comes through observation of Lilah. “Living with a tiny person that is seeing, hearing, feeling, and experiencing things for the FIRST time gives great insight as an actor and director,” he said. “They're honest; brutally honest. They react without censure or contemplation...they just do it. It's fantastic!”
With a fresh perspective on their art also comes a deeper understanding of emotions. Along with the patience Ann mentioned, she also picked up a heightened sense of interpersonal interaction. “I have a lot more interest in the human reaction,” she said. “After Alex was born, Hamlet became even more compelling.” Said Abby: “As with any major life change you are able to find more understanding with each new character. Becoming a parent and receiving the kind of unconditional love a child brings is a sensation you can’t ever fully explain. It has helped me heighten the emotions (good or bad) that each character I take on embodies.”
Mason discovered his emotions onstage are much easier to reach than before. “I don't know if it comes with age or with babies,” he said, “but I've found that my emotional spectrum seems to be much more at the surface. As an actor, I am able to access those emotions more freely.”
With a new one—or two in Ann’s case—to watch over, time management is of the essence. For Abby it brings up a myriad of questions. “I find myself struggling with balance,” she said. “How much time is too much time away from Jack? How much time is too little time spent on my script? How can I accomplish all that I ask of myself in 24 hours time?”
With Ann, it requires even more focus than before. “Everyone multi-tasks,” she said. “I really have to focus more on being in the moment. My breaks are spent wondering how my kids are doing.”
Mason also found his daughter has given him some surprising insight from a combat perspective. “Surprisingly as a fight director and combatant I've learned a bit from Lilah,” he said. “You wanna know how to fall without hurting yourself? Watch a baby. They fall a lot!"
Whatever the case or perspective may be, don’t be surprised if a diaper or two is changed during intermission. No matter what your age, clean pants are a must. Especially for the second half of Hamlet.
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Polarity Ensemble Theatre |