Taking Time with Terrence Currier and Dorothea Hammond

by Amrita Mangus, New Play Senior Producing Fellow

One of the many reasons why I love the fellowship program at Arena Stage is the intimate and fascinating meet and greets with legendary theatrical practitioners (those of you religious blog followers might remember our memorable, and I mean memorable, conversation with Edward Albee last year). On Tuesday, the fellows met with two actors from the original Arena resident acting company, Terrence Currier (currently portraying Henry in our production of The Fantasticks) and Dorothea Hammond, to discuss their experiences with Arena Stage and hear their words of wisdom. Both Terrence and Dorothea affectionately regaled us with stories from the first time they set foot at Arena (1951 for Dorothea and the early 1970's for Terrence), that brought us back to a time before text coaches, couches in the green room, and a quick change crew existed. Dorothea, having worked in every Arena Stage theater including the Hippodrome, playfully recalled how during one of her performances, Tom Fichandler (Arena's longtime managing director) had to meet her in the back lot outside of the theater to help her with her quick change and adjust her wig. "It was," Dorothea eloquently stated," a time where we did it all."  

Perhaps one of the most powerful parts of the afternoon was hearing Terrence and Dorothea describe the Arena resident acting company as a family. They talked about how the stability and pension plans of the resident acting allowed them to have families of their own and foster a strong relationship with the families of the acting company members (Dorothea told us that she and Ida Prosky, wife of company member Bob Prosky, are still dear friends). It was very evident that a lot of love was shared with all of these people, a love that is still maintained in the inseparable bond of Arena history.

We ended the conversation by asking Terrence and Dorothea about their thoughts on the Mead Center, particularly what they hope the Mead Center will bring to actors and the community. Terrence responded by saying that Arena is on the right track and should keep serving the local acting community. And Dorothea's answer was short, but to the point: "I want to act in there!"

Comments

[Girl Dresses]

It was very evident that a lot of love was shared with all of these people, a love that is still maintained in the inseparable bond of Arena history.