Behind the Scenes Moms Part 1: Christmas Carol 1941

posted by Laura Clement (her daughter Mollie plays Carolyn Schroen in Christmas Carol 1941)

When Mollie has a performance opportunity, I ask myself two questions: 1) Does Mollie want to do this? (More than we do?); and 2) Will it be a good learning experience? The answers were clear when the chance to participate in the development of Christmas Carol 1941 came up. Yes! Mollie wanted to work at Arena Stage! And Yes! To participate in a reading of a new script with a group of talented artists sounded like a sure bet for learning. But when we committed to a one-day reading last spring, we didn’t know that the play would be brought to life at Arena just months later, nor did we know that Mollie would be included in the actual production. We couldn’t have imagined just how much Mollie would love working at Arena, and what an incredible learning experience the process would be. 

The acting training that Mollie has received at Firebelly Productions under Kathi Gollwitzer gave her the tools she needed even before rehearsals began. What an incredible opportunity this is to take these tools out into the world and put them to use! She read the script several times to try to really understand what the playwright wants and invented the nooks and crannies of Carolyn’s character. She looked for the moment of discovery in each scene—when Carolyn discovers something that she didn’t know before. She studied the dialog in each scene and considered how her scene partners made her feel. Then she spent some time thinking about what she wanted the other characters to feel. She also considered Carolyn’s action—what keeps her moving forward. Some actions are physical movements, some are internal. Both involve scene partners. She’s figured out for each scene what Carolyn wants and what she is going to do to get it. (Oh and don’t forget memorizing the lines). All this before the first rehearsal!

The actor’s work may seem like a lot...but the really amazing thing is that every creative and production team member is doing tough, meticulous work behind the scenes. The staging, the music, the set, props, costumes, hair, makeup, sound, lights, tickets and programs…everything. Nothing is taken casually. Every detail is carefully managed. When you consider the resources devoted to creating an authentic and rich production, it is astounding! For example, the costumes are designed to be true representations of each period explored by Strube and his ghost-statues. The fabrics are carefully chosen, measurements accurately taken, and every stitch, pleat and trim perfectly crafted. The artistic teams give it their all during the preproduction period and the production teams provide the solid foundation throughout—it’s exhilarating to watch it all come together in a masterful orchestration of details.

So Mollie got to read an early version of the script, she applied her training to the role, she participated in a week long workshop where the playwright and the artistic team collaborated, and then the work began! Surely, her efforts are important, but what an incredible experience it has been for her and for us (mom and dad) to watch it all come together. Here are some of the most creative, talented and warm-hearted artists ever. My two questions have been answered repeatedly. When Mollie has an evening off, she laments, “I wish I were called to the theatre tonight! I want to be there.” Check…she wants to do this. And is it a learning experience? That’s an understatement.