Author: Charleston Stage

Charleston Stage is known for producing the biggest shows in town. Our production staff continually raises the bar to bring Charleston full-scale professional theatre, providing this great city the dazzling theatre it deserves.  Meet J. Kenneth Barnett III and Paul Hartmann, members of Charleston Stage’s Production Staff.

 

J. Kenneth Barnett III
Production Manager/Resident Scenic Designer

Where did you grow up?  Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for the arts?
I grew up in Rockford, IL.  As far I as I can remember, I have always drawn or painted. In the sixth grade, I was in my first play, something about George Washington.  I played the villain, King George.  I went to a performing arts school from 7th grade to 12th grade.  Art and theater were my favorites.

 

Where did you go to school/receive training?  How did this prepare you for your work in theatre?
I am a graduate from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.  I have a B.A. in Theater and a minor in Art.  I studied to be an actor, but worked in the shop (building and painting scenery) as part of my TSA scholarship.

 

Describe briefly your position at Charleston Stage and what you do for the company.
I am the Production Manager/Resident Scenic Designer.  I work with the Production staff to make sure each production goes as smoothly as possible from the beginning of the build to the load in/load out of a show.  I design and draft the new productions at Charleston Stage.  I am also the Properties Master and Scenic Artist.

 

Where have you worked previously before Charleston Stage?
I worked at New American Theater in Rockford, IL as their Resident Scenic Designer/Properties Master/Scenic Artist (1991-1997). Most recently, I worked at The Chattanooga Theatre Centre in Chattanooga, TN as their Resident Scenic Designer/ Properties Master/ Scenic Artist (1999-2010).

 

What do you do in your spare time?
I love to spend my spare time with my wife and our 6-year-old son.  We love Folly Beach and living here in beautiful, historic Charleston.

 

Paul Hartmann
Technical Director/Lighting Designer

Where did you grow up?  Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for the arts?
I grew up in Hanna City, IL, a small town just west of Peoria, IL.  I didn’t really become interested in theatre until college.

 

Where did you go to school/receive training?  How did this prepare you for your work in theatre?
I have a BFA in Design/Technical Theatre from Millikin University in Decatur, IL.  The program was growing very rapidly and there were many opportunities for hands-on learning experience.

 

Describe briefly your position at Charleston Stage and what you do for the company.
I am the Technical Director/Lighting Designer which entails making sure the sets get built and built well, and making sure they have light on them so we can see the actors.

 

Where have you worked previously before Charleston Stage?  
I have experience in educational, community, and professional theatre.  My last job was a fun one.  I was Lighting Designer at a mid sized concert venue in Chattanooga, TN called Track 29.

 

What do you do in your spare time?
I like to go to the beach and take long walks with my dog.

 

WANT TO WORK ON SCENERY, COSTUMES OR BACKSTAGE?
Contact J. Kenneth Barnette III at (843) 577-0868 or email kbarnett@charlestonstage.com.

 

 

 

Professional Resident Actor Josh Harris is rounding out his second season with Charleston Stage and will be making his directorial debut with TheSecret Garden. You may remember Josh in roles such as Amos Hart in Chicago, Skip in Inga Binga and most recently as Grown-up Ralphie in A Christmas Story. “The story of The Secret Garden is beautiful, timeless and beloved by millions of people,” states Harris. “At the center of the story is a garden, a symbol of renewal and growth. Even though it may look and feel as if it’s no longer alive, beneath the rough exterior lies a source of life that, with enough care, can blossom again. Just as our heroine Mary shows us, we must find the power and strength within each of us to deal with life’s unexpected challenges. We can be faced with situations that require tremendous strength of spirit. It is not what is thrown at us, but how we respond to it.  This is what makes The Secret Garden such an amazing story.”

The Secret Garden runs January 25 – February 3 at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. For tickets, call (843) 577-7183 or purchase online at www.charlestonstage.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Q: Where are you from? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for theatre and the arts?

A: I’m from Shelbyville, TN, that’s middle TN around Nashville. When I was in the 7th grade, I saw the 8th graders do a play in the gym about the signing of the constitution and told myself from that point on that this was what I wanted to do. I immediately got involved with Bedford Players ( Shelbyville, TN, was in Bedford County ) and I was hooked from then on!

Q: Where did you study theatre?

A: I studied theatre at Memphis State University which has since been renamed The University of Memphis and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in performance.

Q: Where have you worked previously? What are some of your favorite roles?

A: I lived in Chicago for a few years post college and then moved to Charleston. I was a company member with Reflections Theatre Ensemble in Chicago and my favorite role with them was Wes in Fifth of July. I also performed a season with the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in Lewisburg, WV, and did Greater Tuna and Brother Man in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof while there. Since I’ve been in Charleston, I’ve performed with Midtown Theatre, Footlight Players, What If? Productions and Charleston Stage. Some of my favorite roles over the years while in Charleston have been Boolie in Driving Miss Daisy and Greater Tuna ( again but I played the other 9 characters this time so now I’ve played all 21 characters in that show! ), Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird, and of course, The Old Man in A Christmas Story!

Q: How did you prepare for playing the role of The Old Man? Are there any challenges you faced or anything you’re most excited about portraying this iconic holiday character?

A: In preparation for this role, I wanted to find the right balance between the grumpy “cursing” side of him and the caring loving Father that he is. I think that was the biggest challenge. In all of that grumpiness, I didn’t want to cross the line from what I called grumpy/funny to grumpy/mean. Also, I did try to bring some of the movie character in to play because everyone is so familiar with the film and I felt like the audience would really want to see some of those film moments brought to life on the stage.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: Theatre IS my spare time! When I’m not working 2 jobs, I’m raising 2 teenage daughters, Prentice and Lila ( love you girls! ) and holding down the fort with 4 cats, 2 dogs and a guinea pig! Of course my lovely wife Marybeth is an equal part in all of the raising and holding down of the fort as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q: Where are you from? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for theatre and the arts?

A: I’m a Georgia peach by birth, but we moved to northern Virginia when I was a baby. I grew up in Annandale, VA and later in Greenville, SC. As a child, I was most involved in sports and dance. I was a year-round, competitive swimmer (even went to the Junior Olympics!), a springboard diver, a ballerina, and played baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, and tennis. My mom has a beautiful voice and sang in the church choir, so naturally I wanted to sing as well. I began taking piano in the second grade and that’s really where my love of music began. At 9 years old, I found the theatre. All these activities led to my passion for the arts. Participating in so many things made me want to do and be everything. Always a dreamer.

Q: Where did you study theatre?

A: My first real taste of acting training came when I was accepted into the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts Drama program. It was a life-changing summer between my Junior and Senior years of high school. For the first time, I was creating a life to my character, working on physicality, vocal training, movement, mask, etc. I fell head over heels in love with the craft. I received my Bachelor’s from College of Charleston in Theatre and French and my Master’s in Media & Performing Arts from the Savannah College of Art & Design.

Q: Where have you worked previously? What are some of your favorite roles?

A: I work steadily with The Village Repertory Company where I proudly serve on the Board of Directors. Midtown/Sheri Grace Productions gave me my first job in Charleston outside of college. I’ve also worked with What If? Productions, Holy City Shakespeare, Charleston Shakespeare Project, and Footlight Players. Most recently, I worked with What If? Productions on Five Lesbians Eating A Quiche. That show was an absolute blast. I went into rehearsals not knowing anyone and left with some amazing friends. I would have to say my other favorite roles include Hennie in Awake and Sing, Meredith Parker in BatBoy: The Musical, Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors, and Sherry in Independence.

Q: How did you prepare for playing the role of Mother? Are there any challenges you faced or anything you’re most excited about portraying this iconic holiday character?

A: Preparing for any role, I find it’s best for me to become familiar with the script before rehearsals begin. What are other characters saying about you? What is a given? Then, once you enter the rehearsal process you discover how you interact with other characters and let relationships develop. I’m not a mother but I have to say that these adorable kids made it easy for me to tap into what I imagine that kind of love to be. It was thrilling to learn that I would be portraying this character from a classic I grew up watching, but it was also daunting to think about “getting her right”. I quickly had to let go of that notion and trust that I was creating my own version of Mother.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: In my spare time I love playing the piano and singing, going to concerts, practicing yoga, 5Ks, and Pure Barre. Oh, and positively anything that involves my sweet husband.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q: Where are you from? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for theatre and the arts?

A: I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I think the biggest thing to prepare me for a life in the theatre is that I spent most of my free time as a kid imagining and creating stories in my head. I always felt very comfortable living in the imaginary.

Q: Where did you study theatre?

A: I did my undergrad at the University of Minnesota where I was in a theatre department with hundreds of students. I made a lot of friends and did a ton of shows. My graduate degree is from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, where my class numbered seven. A much more intense, concentrated experience.

Q: Where have you worked previously? What are some of your favorite roles?

A: I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of great companies. Some of them are the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Glimmerglass Opera, the Cleveland Play House, the American Shakespeare Center and the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater. I loved playing Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream; Betty and Gerry in Cloud 9; evil Richard in Richard III … and I’m looking forward to new favorite roles!

Q: How did you prepare for playing the role of Edgar Allan Poe? Are there any challenges you faced or anything you’re most excited about portraying Poe?

A: I re-read as much of Poe’s writing as I could. Portraying a writer is a windfall for an actor because I could glean so many insights from themes and stylistic choices that repeat from story to story. For instance, many of Poe’s characters have a weakness for alcohol … but almost all of them realize that this trait is destructive. It told me that he was aware of the destructive aspects of his own drinking. There are also reports by contemporaries of Poe about everything from how he stood to what his voice sounded like. And, finally, I grew my mustache, which was probably the most important leg of my journey to becoming Poe. Seriously, the challenge with portraying a historical person is that there will be Poe enthusiasts who have done more research that I have done who will quibble with my choices. I can’t satisfy everybody and my main goal is to make this Poe’s final journey understandable to our audience here in Charleston. I’m really very excited to speak some of Poe’s masterful words out loud in a building that was standing at the same time that he might have wandered the streets of Charleston.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I play my ukulele, I practice yoga, I cook (I love grits and I’m getting better at preparing them!) and I try to explore this “mystical kingdom by the sea,” Charleston. As a Wisconsin boy, I have to admit that I miss the leaves changing color but I don’t miss the temperatures in the 30s (as they are today in Milwaukee).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Edgar Allan Poe is probably best known for his wild and fantastical tales, it was one of Poe’s poems that first caught my attention.  I still remember daydreaming in my high school English class, bored by my teacher and thumbing through the anthology that was our textbook, when my eyes fell upon Poe’s poem,  The Bells.  With it’s alliteration and pounding repetitions (at times Poe repeats the word “bells” seven times in a row ), I was hooked.  I loved his use of unusual words like the ringing “tintinnabulation”.  My English teacher would have called this onomatopoeia.  I called it cool.  Soon I was reading Poe’s other poems on my own,  A Dream Within A Dream, Annabel Lee, and I purchased my own complete works (I still have it) and plowed through the stories, Tell Tale Heart,  The Oblong Box, The Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum and more.  I found that Poe was a favorite of mine and of many of my classmates as well, kind of the old school Stephen King.

So in 1994, when I began looking for a new Halloween play, I was quite familiar with Poe’s tales of the macabre.  And since moving to Charleston, I’d learned Poe lived on Sullivans Island for a time when, as a young soldier, he was stationed at Ft. Moultrie.  I thought this might make the making of a great play and headed to the library for a Poe biography.  I quickly learned, however, that we know little of Poe’s stay on Sullivans, certainly not enough for a full play.  As I read on, however,  I was intrigued by the circumstances of Poe’s mysterious death, and the spark that would become Nevermore was ignited.  I dashed off the first few scenes and cocky and confidently announced the premiere of Nevermore for the fall of 1996 (this was midsummer.)  And then I ran into a wall — writer’s block.  Nothing would come, and I thought I would have to cancel the production.  In despair I thought I’d write a scene about writer’s block itself, and not to give away the plot, that scene provided a path for the plot and Poe’s descent into the darkness, and my way out of my writer’s block maelstrom.

My first cast got new pages right up until the last minute, but they rallied and embraced the show and Nevermore premiered to great acclaim in 1996.  A few years later it was published and has been produced around the country.  In subsequent productions here at the Dock Street Theatre the script has grown stronger, and indeed the terrific cast in this new production, have added numerous new insights of their own, and once again inspired the playwright to tweak the script.  While not a major rewrite, this version of Nevermore does have it’s own new twists and turns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q: Where did you grow up? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for theatre and the arts?
A: I grew up Columbia, Maryland; Maadi, Egypt; and Herzliyya Petuach, Israel. As a child I did a lot of things at different times: cross country, soccer, cheerleading, dance, softball, gymnastics, piano, voice lessons, student council, reconciliation peace programs between Germans and Jews and Arabs and Israelis and Model United Nations. Even though many of my extra-curricular activities changed throughout the years and I moved schools often, I was always involved with theatre. It wasn’t until college though that I really focused on theatre more than anything else. I grew up singing at the piano with my mom and she really nurtured my love for musical theatre.

 

Q: Where did you study theatre?
A: James Madison University in Virginia

 

Q: Where have you worked previously? What are some of your favorite roles?
A: I worked at Theatre by the Sea in Rhode Island. My favorite roles are Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone and Ado Annie in Oklahoma.

 

Q: How did you prepare for playing Margot in Legally Blonde? Were there any challenges or things that you were excited about with taking on this character?
A: I prepared for doing my role in Legally Blonde by reading the script and trying to find clues into who Margot was besides a dumb, pretty sorority girl. I wanted to figure out how she was different from Serena or Pilar because that would make her interesting (even though they are a trio that do a lot of movement together). I wanted to find the part of her that was in me and the part of her that wasn’t in me that I would have fun living in. I was excited for her comic bits and for getting to be a confident annoying sorority girl without thinking twice about how it may be perceived. I was excited to make her human and real.

 

Q: You’ve been in performances for the past three weeks… what do you look forward to each performance playing Margot?
A: I look forward to shaking off the cheer “spirit” that Serena says Paulette needs, I look forward to giving ridiculous facial expressions during the beginning of Bend and Snap, I look forward to the exciting opportunity of being the first actor onstage for each show, and I look forward to the little exchanges and back stories I and the actors make with each other behind the forefront action of the last court room scene. It’s just so fun to play make believe and live in the world of Malibu, Greek Chorus, and Harvard every night. Who wouldn’t want to live there for 2 hours?!

 

Q: Please share with us your thoughts and experience so far on being a Resident Actor with Charleston Stage.
A: I’m not gonna lie, it’s been a challenge to teach. I think the most important thing is continuing to tell myself that I have good things to say and teach. Each age group is so different and needs a different kind of teacher and a different kind of lesson. I love people though, so it has been really fun to figure out what each group needs differently based on their skill level, age, and personalities. I am a person who often sits back and lets other people lead, not out of laziness, but just because I consider myself a “quieter” leader. In teaching, you can’t really be a quiet leader. I have had to learn how to implement my thoughts in the lessons and lead even if I am teaching with someone who in any other group situation, I would let them be the leader. As far as being a resident actor, I have really enjoyed that freedom to play in performance. I feel like this is a safe place for me to explore my art as a young actor and make bold choices. The rehearsal process for Legally Blonde was a blast. I am looking forward to doing so many different types of shows this season and growing as an actor as I adapt to each new challenge that comes my way! It’s a journey always. Never a dull moment.

 

 

 

 

Costumes for a modern show are always more challenging than a period show because there is just so much more to consider. This show was especially so due to the numerous changes that Elle required and the great number of actors playing multiple roles. But even with all its drawbacks, it was great fun. Pink really isn’t my favorite color, but I have to say that we have some very neat pink outfits on stage. We are very proud of getting the costumes to work so well that the changes on stage are seamless and happen just as needed. Costumes for the Greek chorus were the biggest question because we didn’t want to do a faded look of the original costumes. It took a little extra time to decide on the right look but afterwards, the little pink outfits worked perfectly and everyone knows who they are in the show. The same thought was given to Carlos and Josh’s portrayal along with his costume bringing the house down. I have to say, the little pink suit Elle Woods wears in the Courtroom scene sure looks smart as do all those graduates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q: Where did you grow up? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for theatre and the arts?
A:I grew up in Texas. There was a community theatre that would come into my elementary school and perform every month. The actors announced at the end of the performance about auditions for the next show with the theatre. I went, was cast in Charlottes Web and I knew I had found my home. That was 4th grade.

 

Q: Where did you study theatre?
A: I studied theatre at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

 

Q: What are some of your favorite roles?
A: Some of my favorite roles include, Thenardier in Les Miserables, Amos Hart in Chicago, Adolph in The Last Night Of Ballyhoo.

 

Q: How did you prepare for playing the your roles in Legally Blonde? Were there any challenges or things that you were excited about with taking on this character?
A: I play four different characters in Legally Blonde. The challenge was to make all of the characters completely different from one another.

 

Q: You’ve been in performances for the past three weeks… what do you look forward to each night performing?
A: I look forward to playing the prison guard each night. I also really enjoy watching the rest of the cast. I could watch Vanessa Moyen every night as Elle Woods. She is simply outstanding.

 

Q: Please share with us your thoughts and experience so far on being a Resident Actor with Charleston Stage.
A: Being a Resident Actor is an amazing experience. I think the thing I love most about my job is teaching and inspiring our students. It’s a thrill to teach them the art of theatre and then have them come see one of our shows and converse with them about the craft. It’s a beautiful part of this life.

 

 

 

 

Q: Where did you grow up? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for theatre and the arts?
A: I was born in Louisville, KY, but have moved across the country a couple of times living in Colorado, Texas, and most recently Missouri. As far as activities that led me to the theatre and performing, I honestly was born into it.  I came out singing.  My mother swears to this day that I didn’t scream after being born I sang scales in my bassinette and the nurses would just listen.  And since then I’ve been onstage.  It also helps that my parents and my three brothers also do theatre too!!

 

Q: Where did you study theatre?
A:  Growing up in a very theatrical family I was exposed to theatre all the time, but I started really studying acting in 7th grade and continued through high school taking classes and doing productions locally and professionally around St. Louis. I then went on to study and get my BFA in Musical Theatre and BA in Speech/ Theatre Education from Lindenwood University.

 

Q: Where have you worked previously? What are some of your favorite roles?
A: I’ve worked some in St. Louis with smaller and larger theatre companies: The MUNY, New Line Theatre, Citilites, St. Louis Shakespeare, Riverside Shakespeare, Opera Theatre of St. Louis and some others. But for the past two summers I worked out at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake, CO. I loved every moment there; it was like my second home!! I have been very fortunate to play some of my favorite roles while working with these amazing companies: Leaf Coneybear in …Spelling Bee, Danny in BABY!, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, the Arbiter in CHESS.

 

Q: How did you prepare for playing Emmett in Legally Blonde? Were there any challenges or things that you were excited about with taking on this character?
A: Getting ready to play Emmett was fun. I saw a lot of similarities of myself in his character. So, I took some inspiration from my life and my passion for performing and translated it into understanding his passion for law and helping others, which I also find myself doing. Going through his background and really getting into his stressful and slightly misunderstood past was really exciting for me as an actor. While doing research and analyzing the movie I did notice that Emmett’s involvement with Elle is more established in the musical than in the movie originally, which I think is interesting. As for being excited about any particular part of the show, I was nervous yet so ready to dive into “Chip On My Shoulder” and “Legally Blonde” with my fellow actor Vanessa Moyen, not just because she is brilliant as Elle, but she is such a great scene partner. I totally feel safe and free when working with her!

 

Q: You’ve been in performances for the past three weeks… what do you look forward to each performance playing your role?
A: I honestly look forward to seeing everyone backstage and just getting to know how their lives are going. We have become somewhat of a family. I have this ritual that I do at five till places with some of the cast where I link pinkies and kiss thumbs to wish them break a leg, it’s gotten to the point where if I don’t, I feel as though something is wrong and my performance is just not completely “on.”  But other then that I look forward to getting to watch and be apart of the “What You Want” number as a frat boy!!!

 

Q: Please share with us your thoughts and experience so far on being a Resident Actor with Charleston Stage.
A: Working with this company and these students has been fantastic so far. I loved being able to jump in and work on the SummerStage production of Alice In Wonderland. Those kids were great. They loved what they were doing and they were so willing to learn. It made my job as their teacher that much more exciting and rewarding. And now that I’m teaching classes weekly I get to experience that thrill again. I really love this company and I look forward to working and growing over the next several months!