Catching up with Proof director Suzanne Bryan

Suzanne Bryan is directing Proof an award-winning play by David Auburn at the Firehouse in March. Bryan began her directorial debut at the Firehouse with GB Shaw’s Saint Joan for Darkhorse Productions. She then went on to found Persephone Theatre and directed Amadeus, Arcadia, Master Harold and the boys, Wit and Fully Committed. Bryan also directed Our Town for the Firehouse. Her greatest joys were at Newburyport High School where she taught and directed fourteen productions including Noises Off, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest, On the Razzle, The Laramie Project, and the first Shakespearean productions at NHS -- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night. Last summer she directed the very popular Forbidden Newburyport here at the Firehouse. We caught up with Suzanne during rehearsals to get a few of her thoughts about directing Proof.

FH:  How did you happen to decide to direct this particular play at the Firehouse? 
SB:  I saw Proof in October 2001, a few weeks after 9/11. My then 15 year old daughter Lexie and I wanted to pay tribute to New York City and to honor Ground Zero.  So off we went to NYC and we saw four plays including Proof.  We were both riveted by the show—its exquisite writing, its thought-provoking yet universal themes, and of course the honest portrayal of its characters.  We laughed, we cried, we gasped; I remember we held hands as we sat on the edges of our seats. And since that time, I have wanted to bring this intelligent theater to Newburyport

FH:  As you go through the directing process how do you put your own personal stamp on the production?
SB:  As with all plays I direct, each rehearsal is devoted to finding all the kernels of truth that reside within each actor, within each character and within the text.  I usually just ask lots of questions and this helps guide the actors to finding their own truth themselves. We gradually peel back layer after layer; we talk and we understand more at each rehearsal; we understand more about the script, about the characters, and about each other.  If we are not honest, nothing will resonate with the audience; and our reason for being there is to resonate with the audience. Why is this so important?  Well it is why we do theater. So we connect in ways that bring us together with the audience-and ultimately, so we don’t feel so alone in the world. I have a dream cast!

FH:  How would you sum up the storyline of Proof?
SB:  The play deals with many intertwined themes of fathers and daughters, sisters, a tentative romance, of love, loss and yes, mental illness and genius.  But mostly it is about relationships.  As one astute reviewer stated: “proof is mostly about human relationships, suggesting that developing trust and love can be as difficult and just as uncertain, as establishing the truth of a mathematical proof.”

FH:  What has been your biggest challenge so far with this particular production?
SB:  Biggest challenges—well mostly technical. The set is large and complex and I am so grateful to firehouse usher and retired theater set designer/scenic painter, David Stawasz, who has designed a beauty; and to local carpenter Fred LaRouche for taking on this building challenge; to James Atkins for his wondrous artistic sense for lighting the show and to the amazing Bonnie Lake for costuming under impossible conditions—costume changes in the wink of an eye.  To be able to place my trust in these talented folk has been a huge relief. Dramatists Play Service has granted us the rights to use the gorgeous music as designed by John Gromada for the original Broadway production

FH:  Any final thoughts about how this play speaks to you personally?
SB:  Another challenge for me -- I have 50 years experience living with four siblings with mental illness.  So I have to restrain myself somewhat from interjecting my reality (onto cast members) too much.  A certain familiarity with a play’s theme can help—but it could become overbearing so I have to hold my tongue sometimes.  The actors have to find their own way through the text, through themselves-with some guidance.

FH:  Thank you Suzanne! This promises to be a very special Firehouse production. Because you have a great cast – we hope you break a leg… or two.

Proof stars:

Elizabeth Pasarilla (Beverly) – Catherine
Paul Wann (Newbury) – Robert
Jason Novak (Newburyport) – Hal
Mara Flynn (S. Berwick, ME) - Claire

Set Design: David Stawasz
Poster Design: Tim Hiltabiddle/Milestone Marketing

Proof by David Auburn will be at the Firehouse Center for the Arts March 8-18 (Thurs-Sat @ 8pm and Sundays @ 3p).  Tickets are on sale now ($22 Adults • $20 Students/Seniors • $19 Members) and may be purchased in person at the Box Office (Wed-Sun 12N - 5P), by calling 978/462-7336 or online at www.firehouse.org.
Group prices available – please visit the website for details.

Opening night special:  All tickets $13