Q&A Session with Stanley Bahorek
Stanley who is now playing Tom Sawyer in D.C. company has responded to my questions!
1.First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your new role as Tom Sawyer in the 2nd company in D.C.!! I'm SO happy for you and excited about it. So could you tell us about yourself? Where you are from, when you started performing etc. When did you decide your career as an actor and when did you think you can "make it" in the industry? What is your favorite show(s)/role(s)?
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and I went to the University of Michigan to study theatre. I performed in high school we had a very supportive drama teacher who put together many opportunities for us to perform. I enjoyed it mainly because of the good people and great friends.
I was fairly certain as I began to search for a college that I wanted to pursue a career as an actor. I am only 2 years out of college and BIG RIVER is the longest and largest project I've yet to work on.. I imagine "making it" in this industry is a long process that takes time and diligence and good fortune joining the company of BIG RIVER has been a wonderful part of that for me.
My favorite show? There are a few... as an audience member I loved CAROLINE OR CHANGE and wish that it had had a longer life in New York. As a performer I loved performing Leo Frank in PARADE (I did it in college!)
2. Now, could you tell us how did you get involved with Deaf West production of Big River? Could you tell us about your audition experience? Did you see the show before your audition? Are you fluent in ASL now?
In March of 2004, I got a phone call from my agent saying that I had an audition for the nat'l tour of BIG RIVER. I didn't see the production on Broadway (I wasn't in NYC at the time) and knew very little about it. I went to my first audition... and then I went to the Lincoln Center Library and watched the video recording of the Broadway production. I was blown away. I felt very strongly at that point about being a part of this piece of theatre.
I had 2 more callbacks, the final one was very difficult. Alexandria was there and she taught 4 of us how to sign "WE ARE THE BOYS" and then we had to sign and sing it in front of the creative team. It was a long day! But well worth it! I was thrilled when I my phone rang to tell me that I had an offer to join the tour!
3. Prior to the DC production, you were on the touring company. Was this your first national tour? What is it like the life on the road? Which cities did you enjoy to visit the most? Could you share any interesting episodes with us?
BIG RIVER was my first nat'l tour. And I enjoyed it very much! We had a great schedule and saw some wonderful places. I loved San Francisco I had been there before. And I really thought Philadelphia was a nice city. Tokyo, Japan cannot be compared to any other place. So beautiful. So wonderful. I loved my time there. I want to visit again soon. I loved the culture, the people, the food, the sights. I was especially grateful for our kind dressers, Kumi and Hayuru. They shared so much with us about Japanese culture and language, and they told us places to visit in Kyoto!
An interesting episode: One day George, James, Adam and I were traveling about Kamakura. At the end of the day we stopped to have dinner and the man sitting next to us struck up a conversation with us by singing the USA National Anthem. I can't really recall what exactly we talked about... but I remember how awesome it felt to interact in that way.
4. Now on to Tom: You have been an understudy for Tom Sawyer, have you ever gone as Tom on the stage so far? If so, could you tell us the experience? How did you learn the signing for Tom's role? Unlike the spoken dialogue in the script, learning the signing seems to be challenging. Do you see video of the show or the signing/movement are taught by ASL masters?
I went on for Tom Sawyer while on tour in Wilmington, Delaware. It was exhilarating! I especially enjoyed being able to have a moment or two with Garrett on stage. I also went on as Simon, Dick, Ben, and Ronald Robinson! I learned the signing for Tom during rehearsals in NYC. I sat with Linda Bove and with Alexandria and they taught me. I took wild and crazy notes with stick figures and zany drawings to try and capture on a piece of paper exactly what each sign was!
Throughout the 9 months of tour we had understudy rehearsal during which I had the chance to continue working on my signs with Alexandria. I also asked her for some individual rehearsals which were very helpful. She is an incredibly great and patient teacher. I am very thankful for everything she shared with me and taught me. I never used any video tapes.
Learning the sign language for the show was very challenging during the busy first two weeks of rehearsal in NY. In DC however, I felt ery differently. Though I would not say I am fluent in ASL, I know more now than I did 10 months ago. And I understand precisely what all of Tom's signs mean, as well as understanding the other actor's signs in the scenes in which I am involved.
5. The DC production's preview started already. Could you tell us how are you going to approach Tom's role? I'm sure it would be different from Christopher and Benjamin, what's your Tom would be like? Have you read "the Adventure of Tom Sawyer" yet?
I can't really say how my Tom Sawyer might differ from others. I can't very well see myself! But each person is different, and every actor is different and has a different energy, approach, and understanding of a character and of a story.
I can say that I enjoy Tom Sawyer. And I love that period in life when everything is an adventure of the utmost excitement and danger! - the kind adventure that is captured in Mark Twain's books and in this show. When I was younger I loved trying to build a raft and float it down a river and build a fort in the woods in the hollow of a fallen tree.
6. So how was the first preview show? Please tell us about the night.
The first week has been great! Each night the show has grown so much which is a wonderful feeling! AND we have had very full audiences! HOORAY!
7. After Big River, what kind of projects would you like to participate in the future?
We shall see...!!!
8. Do you have any message to the audience?
Thank you for going out to see theatre! Continue to do so! Tell friends about BIG RIVER in Tampa and St Louis and in Washington DC. And just keep supporting live, exciting theatre!
Thank you SO MUCH for participating in the Q&A session! See you at the Ford's Theatre!
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