Polar Bears - Director Interview

Interview: Alexandra Lonati, Director of Polar Bears

Interviewer: Robin Goldberg, B.A. Theatre Studies: Playwriting, '15

On the afternoon of February 15th, a few hours before the opening performance of Polar Bears, I met with director Alexandra Lonati (B.A. Theatre Studies: Directing, '14) to discuss her experience putting up the show and why it was such a labor of love.

What drew you to this particular play?

Well, that’s actually an interesting story. Last spring I studied abroad in London and I was at Queen Mary University. For the first year and a half that I was at Emerson, I was all about acting and performing, and I am a directing major, so that was kind of counterproductive. But, I was in London and I went to see this student production of some play. It [had] no set, no lights, wonky casting… in fact most of my friends fell asleep. But, for the first time in my whole life, I was so attracted to a script, and realized that I needed to produce it. And I realized in that moment... I almost had like a mini epiphany where I realized that not only did I want to act, but I also wanted to direct and produce and create and facilitate and I wanted to make theatre. And that show was Polar Bears. And I saved the ticket stub – it is still on my wall. I promised myself that the first show I [would] ever direct would be this show.

Talk about your directing process. How do you work with the actors and designers to create your vision?

Well, I was really blessed with the most amazing group of people. I have beautifully talented actors. The show is not chronological. It’s very episodic, where you get little flashes of the main character’s life in random order. So, we decided to block the show chronologically, so that they would develop as we blocked it. So, it was very collaborative. I mean, I had a vision for the show, but people brought different aspects of it to the table. These actors know their characters better than anybody. And I was really blessed with amazing designers too. In fact, today will be the first time I have seen the set and lights. I kind of just told them what I wanted and they created it from there. We all are working with the concept of photographs – snapshots, specifically – still moments in her life kind of thing. So, we’ll hopefully have a unified vision at the end.

What have you learned from working on this production that you could take into your next project?

Well, I’ve learned that directing a show is a lot more responsibility than it seems. (Laughs) It has really been amazing though, working in every aspect. When you’re an actor, you are so in your character and while working with the cast, you don’t get to work with the designers, work with the producers. I think doing this project has made me realize how vitally important every person is and how we couldn’t do this show without every person that we have, and I think I appreciate the process more… way more.

What has surprised you about working on this production?

Surprised me? I guess how different a show can be based on who’s involved. I mean, I had this initial vision and there are still a lot of things that are the same from when I read this show this summer. But based on that actors I’ve been honored to work with it’s kind of worked. The different characters have different strengths now, different focuses. I’ve ended up liking characters that I didn’t like initially so much more. It’s really nice to see what different people bring to the table.

How do you think looking at a play through an analytical lens affects the creative process?

I think it affects it a lot. I think it’s necessary to look at it analytically. I know this show so inside and out now, and [I] did a lot of research on it: on the playwright, on the issues in it, how it’s written. I think you need to really understand a play inside and out to portray what the playwright envisions, but also to give a message. And I think with a lot of critical reading… that definitely benefits the production.

Is there anything you would change or go about differently for your next project?

I did have some challenges. This is completely independent, which has been really amazing because I‘ve had to figure out a lot of things that would be easier in a group, and I think that’s valuable experience to have. But now that I know how everything works, I think I would’ve gone about some things differently, or just started earlier, trying to get space, trying to get funding. But as far as the show itself and the cast, I wouldn’t change a thing.

As an actor, how has your experience with directing and dramaturgy affected your process? Has it changed at all?

Yeah, I think so. I mean, actors need to know what directing is like and directors need to know what acting is like because you work so intimately with those people. I believe my experience as an actor has helped because I can see what these people need from me and I can really understand how their minds work and how they’re going through this process. I do think as a director you also need a grander view, where you can see things as a whole and plan everything out. And I think actors have to look very narrowly at [their] character and their arc. So I think it’s a combination of the two, but you definitely need both to create a solid production.

Do you think gaining some research experience would be helpful to any theatre professional, regardless of specialty?

Absolutely. In this field, you can’t just work in one area anymore. You need to have experience directing, producing, doing dramaturgy. You have to know how it works, and you have to be versatile. And I absolutely think that having experience in and an interest in all of these areas will make you more well-rounded and create a better production. You can do multiple jobs and you can do all of your jobs to the best of your ability because you understand every aspect of the production.

Can you give us a little preview of what the show is about?

The show is about a woman with Bipolar disorder and her interactions with her husband, her family, and her struggles through [everything]. But, what makes it so incredibly unique is its structure. The structure of the piece is representative of the nature of the disease, so it’s very episodic. You need to watch it in its entirety to understand the complete plot line because you’re never sure what moment in her life you are looking at, which makes it really challenging and thought-provoking and really difficult, but beautiful. But it is, I think, so much more than just about Bipolar disorder, I think it’s so much more than that. It’s because I don’t personally have Bipolar disorder. I don’t have family with Bipolar disorder, so I can’t understand it more that looking at it as an observer. However, I think this show speaks to something much larger. I think the show is about living in the now and enjoying what is in the moment, and knowing very well that what comes next might be bad, but saying, “I am happy now, and that is enough… finding the light in the darkness.” And I think that’s something everyone needs to really appreciate.

Polar Bears ran from February 15-16th, 2013 in the Multi Purpose Room.