Category: Back Stage Blog

Cody Elsensohn, a Season 45 Resident Actor, has previously been seen on the Dock Street Theatre stage in The Play That Goes Wrong, The Addams Family – A New Musical, and A Christmas Carol. Now in the weighty, yet buoyant, role of Pablo Del Valle in Native Gardens, his acting skills are particularly shining. Hear from him about his preparation for this role below:

What do you love about theatre as an art form?

I love the energy that is created by the audience and the actors. From the moment the stage manager calls “house is open” and voices of an audience begin to hum over the monitor, it’s as if a pulse for that day’s show has started. By the time “places” is called there’s a buzzing, electric energy in the theatre. The best part is when the curtain finally rises and the audience and actors share in that energy together; the actors playing off the audience, the audience engaging with the actors. There’s a heightened, supported, intimate feel when we’re all engaged in the story together. That synergistic relationship is something I love about theatre. 

How have you been preparing for the role of Pablo Del Valle in Native Gardens?

My process is pretty similar for any role I do. First, I like to listen to music that inspires me. For example, if the show is set in the 1920s, I will listen to instrumental music from the era while I work to aid in world building. For Native Gardens I looked up traditional and pop Chilean music, just listening to new sounds and getting a sense for the energy that Pablo grew up with in Chile. The next step is considering who this character is, what he wants, where he is, why he wants it—the preliminary questions to get to know who this character is at the top of the show.

Next I go through the script and Google literally anything I don’t understand, any pronunciations I need, any words I don’t know, and learn those things. For Pablo I needed to familiarize myself with topics mentioned in the script: native gardening, D.C. squatter’s rights, Lockheed Martin, life as an attorney. All these things help me know what I’m talking about and have a clear mental picture when I deliver lines. 

I’ll also list out what other characters mention about my character to get a clearer picture on his relationships with others. After I’ve done all of this preliminary work, it’s just about playing with lines and dynamics with my scene partners; exploring Pablo through interactions with the others. 

Tell us more about your character. What do you want us to know about him?

Pablo is a rising, successful, young attorney at Smith, Krause, & Wilson; a law firm in D.C. Pablo is originally from Las Condes, Santiago, Chile, attended boarding school in America, met in college and married Tania, and was disowned by his father for this. Years later at the top of the show, he and his expecting wife Tania have just moved into a long untended, fixer-upper house in an old, historic neighborhood. He’s viewed as a foreigner in his law firm, and feeling like an underdog leads him to try to be someone he imagines his colleagues will like. His pressures at work ultimately result in him having to scramble to stick true to his word, no matter what. 

What I want people to know about Pablo is that he feels he has something to prove. He wants to provide for his family, support Tania’s interests, and rectify his relationship with his father through a new relationship with their baby. He feels a lot of pressure to do all of these things, but that pressure comes out of love. 

What do you hope audiences will receive and ponder after seeing this show?

I hope our audiences’ notions of race and class are challenged by seeing the show, that they gain new perspectives about those who seem different. I hope people are excited by the show, and I hope they can walk away from it and see someone pass them by on the street and recognize their humanity just a little more clearly. 

What is your favorite show of all time?

For a musical, I’d have to say Cabaret; I just love the aesthetic, the story, the mood, etc. For a play I’d have to say Nick Staffords’ War Horse, which is a magnificent play with singing, interesting staging, and a massive multi-person operated horse puppet. 

Cody is ecstatic to join Charleston Stage in its 45th season as a Resident Actor! A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Cody earned his B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Southern Mississippi in May of 2022. Some of his recent credits include Billy Cane in Bright Star, Jerry Hyland in Once in a Lifetime, Actor 1 in The Stinky Cheeseman, and Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Cody would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers who endlessly encourage and support him; it is highly valued! Keep up with Cody by following his Instagram: @cody.elsensohn

Speaking with Crystin feels like speaking with a longtime friend who cares deeply for you, even if you’ve only just met. A former Resident Actor with Charleston Stage and current Equity Actor in New York, we consider ourselves fortunate beyond measure to be graced with her talent and bright, compassionate personality from time to time whenever she appears as a guest artist in our productions. With ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, on stage at the Dock Street Theatre in April, she’s making her directorial debut, for which we are so proud and grateful. Read more about her process in preparing to lead this show below:

You’re worked with Charleston Stage before many times — welcome back! What are your favorite Charleston Stage memories?

Thank you! My relationship with Charleston Stage runs deep. I have a plethora of memories that touch my heart. My first show with Charleston Stage was Beehive: The 60’s Musical! It’s a show with hits from all the 60’s girl groups. I loved it because the songs took you back in time and made you dance in your seat. As a previous Resident Actor, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching acting classes and working on the summer shows. There’s nothing like watching a child shine on stage at The Dock Street!! I have too many favorite shows to name but if I had to choose my top 3, I’d say Mamma Mia!– it’s the music, comedy and the dancing, The Seat of Justice– Julian Wiles‘ writing and commitment to the story is unmatched, and my upcoming show Once On This Island because It’s a story about unconditional love and it’s my directorial debut!

Share with us your artistic background. How did you get into theatre, acting, and directing?

My mother says I started acting straight out of her womb! Haha! I’d agree. I’ve always been a storyteller and a lover of people. I’m also the daughter of a southern preacher and an educator so this field suits me well. I started singing in the church at a young age, I participated in school talent shows and many church programs and I discovered a love for directing in college. I realized then that a collaborative is the best way to tell a story. 

Which styles of theatre do you gravitate towards the most? Why?

I gravitate mostly to straight plays though my resume is filled with musicals. Dramas and comedies rely on the actors ability to connect to the text and leaves no room for error. Some musicals leave you humming the songs and engrossed in outstanding vocals, all of which are just as complex and require another layer of expertise. I love musicals and I have friends who can sing effortlessly all times of day but singing requires me to cut out dairy from my diet and go on vocal rest outside when I’m not performing. I’m more aware of how I use my instrument in my daily life so straight plays take top billing for me.

What has inspired you as you study the script of Once On This Island?

Once On This Island has inspired me to be more vulnerable in giving and receiving love. This story has enriched my life in so many ways. My hope is that the cast and the audience members leave this production feeling inspired to give the love they desire freely and unconditionally.

What are your dreams for Charleston Stage’s own production of this special show?

Our version of Once On This Island will hopefully remind people that what they have in life is enough and that desiring what other people have is a waste of time. There is only one you and your life is sufficiently beautiful, individual and unique. 

What has come easily as you prepare to direct the show?

I’ve had a fantastic time in the collaborative process. My technical creatives have been fantastic in their flexibility and visions. They have made this process very easy in making my/our desired vision come to life. 

Which aspects have proven to be more challenging?

The most challenging part of a musical is adding all of the components together. It’s fantastically complex and beautiful at the same time. I trust that the actors and musicians will shine once the curtain opens on opening night.
 

What are your favorite shows of all time?

My favorite shows of all time are shows I have done or can see myself in like The Color Purple, Hamilton, School Girls; Or The African Mean Girls Play, The Mountaintop, and dare I say, Mamma Mia!

Performances of Once On This Island run April 12th – 30th at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. For tickets, visit CharlestonStage.com.

CRYSTIN GILMORE
Crystin is grateful to have the opportunity to be back at The Dock with Charleston Stage making her directorial debut with Once On This Island! She was a Resident Actor with Charleston Stage many years ago and will forever call the company family. Crystin last graced the Dock Street Theatre stage in Black Pearl Sings! as Pearl. You may also remember her in The Seat of Justice as Mrs. Ruby Cornwell, in Mamma Mia! as Rosie, in Hairspray as Motormouth Maybelle and in Chicago, The Musical as Matron Momma Morton. Some additional credits include School Girls; Or The African Mean Girls Play in the role of Headmistress, The Color Purple as Shug Avery where she received an IRNE and Arts Impulse Award with Speakeasy Stage Co., The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin as Miss Pain with Progressive Theater, Letters from War as Mae with North Shore Theatre, Smokey Joe’s Cafe as Brenda with Show Palace Dinner Theater and Beehive! The 60’s Musical as Wanda with Greenbrier Valley Theatre. Crystin also enjoys being a motivational speaker, doing commercials, voiceovers and she hosts a podcast called POVwCrystinGilmore. Special thanks to her family, friends and the Lord. (Philippians 4:6-8) Wanna connect? @crystingilmore / CrystinGilmore.com

The lovely Melonea Marek, our Acting Ensemble Member in the role of Virginia Butley in NATIVE GARDENS, spoke with us recently about her process as a theatre artist preparing for this show! Read on below:

Please share with us some highlights of your acting experience. What do you love about theatre as an art form?

I have been acting since 1979 when I got involved with the Flowertown Players.  Since then, I have worked with The Footlight Players, Charleston Stage, Stage One and Workshop Summer Theater. I love that acting gives me the opportunity to step outside of myself and become another person for a while.

How have you been preparing for the role of Virginia Butley in “Native Gardens?”

I’ve been studying the script of course and also doing research on the playwright, Karen Zacarías. I am very different from Virginia, but we do have one thing in common: We both listen to NPR!

Tell us more about your character. What do you want us to know about her?

Virginia Butley is a highly educated, wealthy woman married to Frank. She had to fight her way to the position she now holds as a Defense Contractor at Lockheed Martin, a large contracting firm. She is proud of her accomplishments in a company, not to mention an entire career field, that has few women. I don’t think Virginia means to be offensive with some of her comments, but she is very opinionated!

What do you hope audiences will receive and ponder after seeing this show?

This show is so well written in how it truly explores all sides of political, cultural, and social opinions. I hope our audiences will come to the conclusion that we all have something to contribute to the conversation, and listening to experiences and opinions of those who are different from us can, in fact, be a life altering experience.

What is your favorite show of all time?

I have many: Steel Magnolias, Last Night of Ballyhoo (my first show with Charleston Stage!), and Laundry and Bourbon. But my favorite show of all time is Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will?

Melonea was last seen as Helen Hubbard in the Charleston Stage production of Murder on the Orient Express. Other Charleston Stage performances include Our Town, Shear Madness, Steel Magnolias, Last Night of Ballyhoo, Brighton Beach Memoirs, All My Sons, Omnium Gatherum and To Kill a Mockingbird. Melonea is happily retired from the Berkeley County Guardian ad Litem program. She’d like to thank her husband, Mike, for all his love and support.

Don Brandenburg is a longtime player and director in our local theatre scene. We are so excited to bring his talent to the Dock Street Theatre stage with NATIVE GARDENS, our final straight play of the season! Read more about his artistic process in preparing for the role of Frank Butley below:

Please share with us some highlights of your acting experience. What do you love about theatre as an art form?

I have been part of the theatre scene for more decades than I care to think about. During that time, I have worn many hats, not just actor, but also a producer, director and numerous thankless jobs in between. What thrills me about theatre as an art form is the connection between the actors and the audience. An audience feels the energy emanating from the actors on stage, while the actors on stage feel the same from the audience. It’s an interactive experience that is only felt through live performing art forms.

While some theatre productions are designed to “make you think,” not all theatre productions “teach a lesson” or make you ponder some deep probing question that you will discuss for days. Some theatre is just there to entertain. A good comedy or fun musical lets you leave the theatre with a smile on your face. If the actors (with credit to the entire production team) have done their jobs, the audience leaves with the intended outcome.

How have you been preparing for the role of Frank Butley in Native Gardens?

I have played many different types of characters over the years, but the process of character preparation is always the same for me. The first item of importance is location. Where does this character live? What is his background and upbringing? What is his socio/economic status? This helps determine dialect, accent, and the character’s mentality, which are extremely important to believability. Working on accent and speech pattern is a focus right from the start of the rehearsal process. Also, the character’s age, or perceived age, is an important factor in order to deliver the proper gait. This was never more important to me than when I was in my twenties and was cast in a role playing a man in his eighties. After character background and age have been examined, the process is simply putting my mind into “becoming” the character and making myself think and function the way the character does with the other characters in his life. I don’t believe there is any secret to it other than that.

Tell us more about your character. What do you want us to know about him?

I play Frank Butley. Frank and his wife, Virginia, live in a stately, upscale D.C. neighborhood. Frank is an avid gardener who takes meticulous care of his backyard flower garden to the point of being obsessive-compulsive. He is preoccupied with winning a Horticultural Society Best Garden Award for which he has entered every year, only to never be awarded higher than an honorable mention. Both Frank and Virginia are put to the test when a new, young couple moves in next door and starts a property border dispute just when the new garden competition is about to begin. The battle between Frank, Virginia, and the neighbors turns hilariously relatable.

What do you hope audiences will receive and ponder after seeing this show?

I hope our audiences walk away thinking about what it means to be American in 2023 and what compromises we all have to make for mutual gain.

What is your favorite show of all time?

I have been asked this many times. I don’t have a favorite. I have many favorites. When it comes to gripping drama, you can’t beat Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang is a great contemporary comedy. I played Vanya in a production a few years ago. I love A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in the classic musical comedy category and as a newer musical, Something Rotten! is fabulous.

No stranger to the Charleston theatre scene, Don has been producing, directing and acting in theatre productions for decades, all while handling his professional career as a civil engineer. Don first worked with Charleston Stage during Season 20 (1997-1998) when he directed a production of To Kill a Mockingbird. He most recently performed in Charleston Stage’s productions of Noises Off and Murder on the Orient Express. Don has worked with a number of Charleston area’s performing arts groups, including The Footlight Players, where he was a past Artistic Director for the organization. While working for The Footlight Players, Don directed favorites such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Sugar Bean Sisters, Suddenly Last Summer and the musicals A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Della’s Diner and Slammergirls. He was seen on the Footlight stage as Vanya in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and in the musicals Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Heathers: The Musical. Don has been seen at Threshold Repertory Theatre in The Jacksonian and Murder at the Howard Johnson’s. Over the years, Don has also been in many TV commercials and industrial films.

Photo by Reese Moore Photography

We are honored to present the artistic work of Kayla Green in the role of Tania Del Valle in our upcoming production of NATIVE GARDENS, opening next week! Read more about her preparation for this role and love for theatre below:

Share with us more about your acting experience! What do you love about theatre?

High school is where I really got into theatre. I had many chances to be a part of amazing ensembles until I landed my first speaking role as Yvette in Clue. I was so proud of myself when I saw my name on the cast listing. I swear I felt like I won a million dollars! Spending days after school with people who have the same love and appreciation for theatre was a different type of energy that I loved to be around. When high school ended, I was so determined to be an actress that I ventured into film acting while pursuing local theatre opportunities as well. In 2020, I was honored to be cast in Footlight Players’ production of Matilda, but the Covid lockdown happened and they had to put it on hold. Unfortunately, it was not picked back up for the next season, but instead we got to perform a show called All Together Now!, in which we sang different songs from musicals. Between then and now, I have done some background work on TV shows and movies, which was fun and very interesting. I can’t wait to be on stage again for Native Gardens. 

How have you been preparing for the role of Tania Del Valle in Native Gardens?

I’ve been really looking to the Latina women in my life I look up to, such as my mom, my sister, and Representative AOC. I see aspects of Tania in them by how passionate they speak and how they are always trying to build a better life for themselves and the people around them. I have also been writing certain memories for Tania, like happy times she spent at her grandparents’ farm and how she met Pablo in college. 

Which aspects of rehearsing come more easily to you? Which are more difficult?

For me, I find it easy to relate to my character and see into her world. One of the reasons is because I’m an Afro-Latina, and I do face micro-aggressions for this every so often. Also, I like to think that I have a big imagination, even as an adult, so creating a background for Tania within the context of the play helps me produce the emotions needed throughout the show. What I find more difficult is really trying not to second-guess myself when it comes to remembering my lines. Rehearsing has been consistently helpful, but I always feel the need to look at my script to make sure that I’m right. 

What do you hope audiences will receive and ponder after seeing this show?

I hope our audiences will consider how they treat the people around them. As a huge Harry Styles fan, I really believe in his statement that you should treat people with kindness. People should lead with empathy in their lives because this world is already filled with darkness and negativity, so we, the people, have to be the positive light. Also, I really want our audiences to realize that, in some way, shape or form, we all have privileges. How we use them can tell a lot about who we are as people. We cannot be willingly ignorant to this. 

Plays or musicals? What is your favorite show of all time?

Easy answer…musicals. My favorite show would have to be Once On This Island, which Charleston Stage is performing this April! It really caught my eye when they performed it at the 2018 Tony Awards! The Haitian-inspired dancing, colorful, castaway-type costumes, and the way they were incorporating water, sand, AND goats was breathtaking. I personally have never seen a musical do that before. After listening to the cast recording, I became absolutely enchanted.

Kayla began acting in high school and has been pursuing her passion ever since. She would like to dedicate her performance to her high school drama teachers who made a huge difference in her life. Whenever she is not performing, Kayla loves to go to markets in the area to support local artists and small businesses. She is a ecstatic to join Charleston Stage and looks forward to continuing her acting journey with them. If you’d love to keep up with her follow her on instagram: @kayla.elise_

Raymond Cronley, one of our talented Season 45 Resident Actors, has been bringing JFK’s legacy and charming Boston accent to the Dock Street Theatre stage night after night as we perform JFK AND INGA BINGA this February. Hear from him about his preparation for the iconic role below:

How is this show unique from others you’ve performed in before?

What’s most unique about this show is that it’s a completely original work, written by our very own Director, Julian Wiles, and set right here in Charleston! I’ve never before had the opportunity to work on a show quite like this. It’s inspiring to live and work right alongside the setting of the play, being able to go to the parks and shopping centers mentioned. Additionally, having the playwright as a director means that lines can be altered much more freely. During the rehearsal process, Julian would take how we performed our characters into account and was able to make some adjustments to make certain moments work better! That is certainly an exciting process to be a part of.

How have you prepared for this role? 

I read a lot about JFK — specifically his early life and upbringing. Kennedy has to be one of the best documented politicians of the last 100 years, so I had a bounty of information to draw upon. Additionally, I studied the mid-20th century upper crust Bostonian accent he used, and listened to as many candid recordings of his voice as I could!

What are the easiest and most difficult aspects of playing this role and doing this show?

What’s easy for me is the comedy in this show! It rises very naturally out of the situation these characters find themselves in. Making the comedy happen is probably easier overall for me than it is for the roles some of my fellow cast mates are playing, as most of it comes from Kennedy being blissfully unaware of the crazy lengths the other characters are going through to keep their surveillance a secret.

One of the more difficult, yet satisfying aspects of this role to nail down was Kennedy’s character arc. At the top of the curtain he’s as brash and cocky a young lover as you might expect. But over the course of the show, he realizes his feelings for Inga are much deeper than he had previously thought. It’s the kind of arc you would expect from a young man of 24. I myself am 23, so I find that kind of emotion very accessible and fun to tap into. Still, it’s a challenge to take the audience from their preconceived notions of Kennedy as a womanizer to someone who’s feelings are genuine.

Do you prefer plays or musicals? Why?

I was a musician long before I was an actor! I started playing trumpet at the age of nine, and didn’t find out that I could sing and act until five years after that! Though I adore acting in straight plays — especially comedies — musicals are my home. There’s something about music which seems to stir the soul. It has always roused a deeper emotion in me than most non-musical media.

What’s your favorite show of all time?

My favorite show I’ve ever seen is Hadestown, hands down! It’s the definition of a classic story brought to life by incredible music and lyricism that’s poetic, yet accessible. My favorite production I’ve ever been a part of is Rumors by Neil Simon. Specifically, it was a high school production where we were required to censor any foul language. Sounds unfortunate, but as it turned out, the cast included all of my closest friends at the time, and as the ensemble we came up with a host of zany euphemistic phrases to replace the curse words. The resulting performance had our director nearly peeing herself with laughter every night at rehearsals, and so it remains my all time favorite productions to have been a part of!

Raymond is incredibly jazzed to be joining Charleston Stage as a Resident Actor for their 45th season! Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Raymond graduated in May of 2021 from Ohio Northern University with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Previous credits include Jack in Into the Woods, Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein and George in Sunday in the Park with George. He would like to thank his family and friends for their wholehearted support and encouragement! raymondcronley.squarespace.com / @raymonley

We sat down with Eliza Knode, Season 45 Resident Actor and our Inga Arvad Fejos in JFK AND INGA BINGA, to hear about her development of a character who existed in real-life — a unique challenge for actors that also reaps unique rewards. Hear from her below:

JFK AND INGA BINGA is a really interesting, special play given it’s little-known history, Charleston locale, and celebrity interest. How is this show unique from others you’ve performed in before?

This is the first show I’ve done based on true history. I’m very glad to have this experience because I think biopics are growing in popularity in theatre and cinema. Now I know what it’s like playing a real person and have established a process, so if I were ever asked to do something like this again, I confidently could!

How have you prepared for this role? 

One of the ways I prepared to play Inga Arvad was reading a biography about her called Inga: Kennedy’s Great Love, Hitler’s Perfect Beauty, and J. Edgar Hoover’s Prime Suspect by Scott Farris. It was a great resource because I got to learn about her life and what kind of person she was socially and personally, which I was then able to translate to the stage. Knowing her background helped greatly to inform my acting choices. For example, I learned that she studied ballet when she was younger, so the physicality I’ve developed for Inga is very graceful and poised. Also, by knowing what happened in her life before the moment of the play, it makes the circumstances within the play more meaningful and interesting. 

Another way I needed to prepare to play Inga was to learn her Danish accent! I’m very lucky to have a Danish friend who helped me with some pronunciations. I also listened to Danish people speaking English on a website called IDEA (International Dialects of English Archive) and watched a Danish comedian named Sofie Hagen on TikTok. From listening to these people, I made a chart of the sounds that change from the way I speak English. For example, I noticed that “w” sounds often turn into “v” annunciations in the Danish accent. I then went through the script and marked where these changes occurred so that I could memorize them right away.
 

What are the easiest and most difficult aspects of playing this role and doing this show?

The easiest part about playing this role is that I have an amazing cast to respond to. Everyone has made really fun character choices that engage me, even when I’m not on stage with them! The most difficult aspect of this role is putting on/taking off costumes pieces onstage. It seems really simple, but there’s a certain timing in the lines when items need to be on or off, so the pressure of getting it done before that point can be surprisingly stressful! 

Do you prefer plays or musicals? Why?

I grew up doing choir and being really involved in music, so I have to say I prefer musicals. However, I’m an avid reader and I love reading plays — I am enjoying my experience being in a new play!

What’s your favorite show of all time?

My favorite show is constantly rotating…right now my favorite is Big Fish: The Musical. It explores a strained relationship between father and son, the power of imagination, and the strength of love. The music is epic and fun-it has similar vibes to the score of Wicked. Also, I would love to play Sandra Bloom someday! 

Eliza is a recent graduate of the University of Miami with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Some of her previous credits include Into the Woods (Witch), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena), and 9 to 5 (Roz). Eliza has lived in Malaysia, Japan, Hungary, and Brazil and is very excited to make Charleston her next home! She would like to extend gratitude to her teachers, friends, and family around the globe who support her. Website: https://elizadknode.wixsite.com/mysite || Instagram: @eliza.knode

We are so grateful to welcome our newest Board Member, Chelsea Rennhoff, to our Board of Directors and Director’s Circle Philanthropic Group! Hear about her beginning in the performing arts and love for the Charleston community below.

Please share some of your background and how your love for the arts began.

I was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I trained as a classical singer when I was young, which is where my love for the arts started. I’ve moved all over the country and world for my work in HR, and I’m very happy to be in Charleston now. My husband is originally from South Carolina, so this is a really special place for us to be. As I explored opportunities to get involved in the community when I moved here, Charleston Stage became such an easy choice. I’ve loved being able to be a board member and do volunteer work to stay involved in the arts.

How did you come to discover Charleston Stage?

Since I finished college and started my career, in each city I’ve lived in I’ve strived to get involved in my community in some way. Even when you’re new in your career, often the best way to get plugged in with different organizations is to volunteer your time and skills to help others by contributing what you already know. I like being involved in one local and one national organization. I had the privilege of meeting Janet, Charleston Stage Board President, at the CityStage Gala last spring, and she asked me as someone with HR expertise to join the board. 

Something that’s really special about Charleston Stage is its diversity of focus in performing arts. Often arts organizations are uniformly focused on performances. What I found so compelling about Charleston Stage is the breadth of their work in the community by also prioritizing arts education–the number of kids in the Charleston community who are touched by their work is incredible. The shows are amazing, but I find it really unique how big of a hand Charleston Stage has in the community by being very education focused.

As a new board member, how would you like to see Charleston Stage grow?

I’m really enjoying the work I’m doing on the search committee–exploring the right leadership for someone in this critical role at such a widely respected institution but who can also offer fresh eyes to improve how we run the organization. Secondly, I think even in an organization as dynamic as Charleston Stage, on any given night at the Dock Street Theatre we’re seeing mostly folks who are older. We need to be thinking more about our next generation of supporters, and I’m interested in exploring how we can bring more young professionals to the stage and make the theatre a date-night spot. 

I’ve led work on how to bring more young professionals to an organization, and the key way is creating community, a space where you know you’ll see your buddies there. I really want to focus on helping Charleston Stage expand this.

What is your impression of Director’s Circle?

There’s an important distinction between a season ticket-holder and a Director’s Circle ticket-holder. One, it’s really fun–the environment is great! Because Director’s Circle happens at the beginning of the show I’m able to talk to so many people I know about it after I attend to come see the show later. As we emphasize that Director’s Circle is a philanthropic organization, it’s important to explain how much Charleston Stage does to improve our community with arts education and how the contribution of Director’s Circle members helps the organization do that. If you are someone who is interested in the arts and wants to meet like-minded people in Charleston, this is the place to do it!

Why do you think the performing arts is so important to people in all walks of life?

The companies I work in HR with employ people of all walks of life and experiences. What’s unique about art is its capacity to put everyone in our communities on a more even playing field and help us all feel better connected. The arts transform people out of who they are on a day to day basis and take them to a place of better relating to one another. The arts bring people together regardless of where they are in the world, especially when you’re watching a performance as a group–the differences between you and other people start to fade away. The U.S. right now feels really divisive, and I believe it’s important to look to arts organizations to help unite us.

The arts are incredibly important for kids because it provides a space to express themselves creatively, help them share how they are feeling, and more intelligently manage their emotions. 

Charleston Stage is unique because it wants others to get involved in the arts and learn the arts. The organization sees its mission to create bridges across Charleston into the arts, such as with the CityStage and TheatreWings programs. Arts communities give young people a place to feel like they belong, and oftentimes, that’s enough.

What is your favorite show?

The Music Man on Broadway took my breath away when I saw Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster opposite each other recently. And, I had the opportunity to play Amaryllis when I was younger!

Cody Elsensohn, a Season 45 Resident Actor, was last seen in “The Play That Goes Wrong” and “The Addams Family – A New Musical,” and will return to the Dock Street Theatre stage in our MainStage production of “Native Gardens” this March. Hear his take on preparing for the role of Bob Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol” here:

You’re a Season 45 Resident Actor with us and we are so grateful to have you here! What have you enjoyed about your work with us so far?

I have honestly loved everything from engaging in different rehearsal processes, to performing at the beautiful, historic Dock Street Theatre, to connecting with and teaching theatre to so many young theatre artists. It has been a joy to share in these experiences with the other Resident Actors and with the larger Charleston Stage community!

How have you been preparing to play the role of Bob Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol?”

Growing up watching “A Christmas Carol” each holiday season provided a nice jumping-off point for me as I prepared to play Bob Cratchit. I had always known Cratchit to be cheery, optimistic, and kind-hearted. After reading this original adaptation by Julian Wiles, however, I found new insights into Cratchit’s character. I am a firm believer that all the information I need for my character can be found in the script: taking note of what other characters think/say/feel about mine and paying close attention to the words my character chooses to say (the power of those words, or the lack thereof) to determine an energy from the character. Playing the action of the script to elicit any emotional response rather than playing the emotion of the scene is far more compelling. That being said, most of my preparations have happened during the rehearsal process as I’ve experimented with different ways to play scenes and deliver lines, and this even continues to develop into the run of performances!

Tell us more about Cratchit. What motivates him? What is he afraid of? How have you been working through these things as an actor?

Bob Cratchit is a warm, jubilant, hard working man. He is a father of seven, a husband, and is employed by Ebenezer Scrooge. I think Cratchit is most motivated by family and love. I think the fact that Tiny Tim is ill is also a huge motivator for Cratchit to take as many hours at work as he does, and could also be a major reason he is as jubilant and cheerful as he is. In a bind like the Cratchits, where a father and oldest daughter provide for the entire family, including a perhaps terminally ill child, it might be imperative to keep a cheerful demeanor around the house. I believe Bob Cratchit practices happiness as a way to maintain gratitude against the odds of his family’s circumstances. Bob primarily is afraid of losing his position at Scrooge and Marley’s because this would mean that he would lose his entire livelihood. He would no longer be able to feed his family, he could lose his son to illness, or the Cratchits would go homeless. These motivators and fears are all supported by the script, which makes working through this information a lot of fun. When there are this many layers, the stakes for the character rise and offer a lot of interesting work to play around with.

This show is challenging particularly as a big musical with many moving parts. What has been the most difficult aspect of rehearsals for you? What has come more naturally?

I think the most difficult aspect of the rehearsal process was getting confident with my British accent! I was determined to do it well because I find that accents can tend to be a weakness of mine, yet they are required for this production. Things like Bob’s temperament, his tenderness, and his joy came more naturally to me when working the material.

What are your standard pre-show routines as you get ready to perform?

For “A Christmas Carol” I don’t have a very demanding dance or vocal track, so my pre-show routine is quite standard and brief. I like to start with a consonant and vowel vocal warm up to make sure my speech is crisp and clean, then I like to do some lip trills up and down my range to awaken all the parts of my voice. I’ll usually do a quick full body stretch and a shakedown to loosen up, and then I’m good to go!

Tough question: plays or musicals? Why?

Plays. While I love being in musicals, I always end up enjoying playing characters written in plays more than I enjoy playing characters written in musicals. It always feels like there’s more substance to the characters, and reactions garnered from a performance in a play tend to feel more genuine than those garnered from audiences in a musical, so I like plays more!

Cody is ecstatic to join Charleston Stage in its 45th Season as a Resident Actor! A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Cody earned his B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Southern Mississippi in May of 2022. Some of his recent credits include Billy Cane in Bright Star, Jerry Hyland in Once in a Lifetime, Actor 1 in The Stinky Cheeseman, and Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Cody would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers who endlessly encourage and support him; it is highly valued! Keep up with Cody by following his Instagram: @cody.elsensohn

Facia Lee, one of our Season 45 Resident Actors, takes us backstage of “A Christmas Carol,” our holiday tradition reimagined this year with entirely new sets, costumes, and music, and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” in our Family Series! Hear from her below:

You’re a Season 45 Resident Actor with us – we are so grateful to have you here! What have you enjoyed about your work with us so far?

I am grateful to be here! Performing this season has been such a blast, and I have learned so much in teaching our TheatreSchool classes. I’ve also certainly enjoyed how I’ve gotten the chance to meet and work with other incredibly talented Resident Actors, staff, local actors, and students. I cannot forget to mention that Charleston is absolutely gorgeous, too!

Doing two shows at once certainly isn’t easy. How have you been preparing for and handling it? 

I agree it’s no easy feat by any means, but luckily our responsibilities as Resident Actors are scheduled perfectly for us to be able to have time to rehearse AND relax at home when needed! As the holidays pick up, we devote the time we were teaching to getting into more shows, rehearsals, and other magic, as our TheatreSchool semester closed before Thanksgiving break.

Tell us more about your characters in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “A Christmas Carol.” What motivates them? How have you been working through these things as an actor?

I am truly blessed to play both Grace Bradley in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” then switch hats (literally!) to play the Lady Visitor/Ghoul/Beggar Woman/Debtor’s Wife track in “A Christmas Carol!” Grace is a loving mother who is devoted to accomplishing something outside of her comfort zone, while the Lady Visitors go from being rejected by Scrooge at first to being gifted by him in the end! Both roles are absolutely hilarious and require so much confidence throughout, which has helped me improve so much as an actor and in my personal life. I have learned immensely from these characters’ stories of perseverance and joy, and have grown tremendously while working with my incredibly talented directors and fellow actors in both casts.

As an actor, what aspects of rehearsing and performing come more naturally to you? What parts are more difficult?

Though not every single song I have ever learned is easy, music is easiest to pick up on for me! Dancing and physical theatre are a tad bit more difficult for me, but of course the directors, choreographers, and other Resident Actors always hook a girl up with the extra help I ever need! 

What are your standard pre-show routines as you get ready to perform? 

Before every single performance, the ladies’ dressing room listens to “Plastic Off the Sofa” from Beyoncé’s newest album!

Tough question: plays or musicals? Why?

Love them both tons, but I’ll have to say musicals because of the song and dance aspects!

Facia is thrilled to work with Charleston Stage! She has been performing on stage since she was about 6 years old. Her favorite credits include Macduff (The Scottish Play), Cinderella, an in-house written children’s theatre version of the same name, and Sandra/The Witch in Big Fish. She graduated from Florida School of the Arts with both her A.A. and A.S. in Musical Theatre and graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with her B.A. in Theatre with Concentration in Music. Facia would like to thank her loving family, friends, teachers, and Father for all of their support.