What makes it work?
By Jessica Sage
In our last installment of Sage on Stage, we started a conversation about the inner workings of a production’s cast, investigating a question we hear often in various forms: How do you make it work? Talking with the cast of Rogue Theater Company’s (RTC) most recent production, “Ripcord,” I probed the actors’ experience both in general and specific to their work for this play. Three of the production’s cast members had responses in Part I of this exploration, and the remaining three cast members’ answers are featured here in Part II.
Mark Bedard: It’s a mindset. When an ensemble of actors recognizes that they are a team pulling in the same direction to tell the best version of a story, it creates the ideal conditions for a unique and dynamic theater performance. Not only does each member of the ensemble try to bring their very best work to the piece, but they devote energy to helping their cast mates do their best work as well. This can be even more apparent in a comedy. For example, if an actor realizes that their scene partner is getting a great laugh on one of their lines, they can work to try and set them up for that laugh by giving them a good clear cue line (or at the very least stay out of their way by not mugging — stop mugging, Mark!). The very first step is simply assembling the right individuals for such an endeavor, and Rogue Theater Company seems particularly good at that.
Barret O’Brien: Kindness. The moment one drives through the gates at Grizzly Peak Winery and slows down to the prescribed 7.7 mph speed limit, the assignment appears to be to create from a place of peace. It’s really the little considerate acts that build company: you look out and realize another actor is watching your scene in rehearsal — a scene they’ve seen scores of times yet there they are — leaning in, sending you their affection. Or someone leaves an apple for you at your dressing station. How we pull onto Virginia and Al’s property, how we greet one another, the homework we’ve brought in (and the baked goods) — all these little things help build toward the larger goal: to create something stronger than any of us could construct alone.
Jamie Ann Romero: I think it comes down to generosity, trust, and a shared sense of play. You, Jessica, assembled an incredible group of artists. Some of us have known each other for years but have never shared the stage. Getting to play with this collaborative ensemble has been nothing but pure joy. And our ensemble extends far beyond those of us onstage. Our director, Henry Woronicz, created such a joyful and curious room. Our designers built us a beautiful world to play in. We also had an incredible stage manager in Kimberley Barry supporting us every step of the way, anticipating our every need before we even knew we needed it. They are all the true stars of our ensemble.
Theater lovers, what would you like to know about theater, acting, stagecraft, etc.? Send your questions to contact@roguetheatercompany.com. In the meantime, let’s bring up the houselights and have some fun!
Jessica Sage is the producing artistic director of Rogue Theater Company. RTC’s 2025 season opened in February and the final production of this season, Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” runs October 15 through November 2. For more information about the entire season — and the theater company — see roguetheatercompany.com
