The next production I’m working on is Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo's "Bare: A Pop Opera." "Bare" revolves around two gay students at a private Catholic boarding school who struggle to find acceptance and their places in life, along with dealing with the hardships of growing up. I was given the opportunity to interview the director and producer of "Bare," Rose Biggerstaff, who is a senior at SUNY Oneonta.
L: What is it like directing and producing your very own show for the first time?
R: "Scary. Honestly, scary. It’s been such a crazy experience for me because I prepared for this so much for so long and I feel like there’s no book written on how to do this. Things kept coming out of left field, but that’s not a negative thing! It’s such a great learning experience and I’m enjoying every second of it, even if I’m learning as the process goes on."
L: If you had to describe Bare in two sentences or less, how would you?
R: "It’s painfully beautiful and it is important. Bare puts the little things people shy away from that hurt people so badly right in front of their faces and I personally think because of the music it shows how love and acceptance are so important to people and to mankind."
L: Why did you choose to do Bare and not another show?
R: "If you want an honest answer, it was because how the music makes me feel. I create because it gives meaning to my life.The idea of getting to mold something so beautiful that would touch people, I couldn’t pass that opportunity up. It was an opportunity of a lifetime. I feel like this is suppose to happen and how my life needed to go."
L: What makes your production of Bare so different from other productions?
R: "For starters, I didn’t want it to be so raunchy. I’ve seen productions where Jason and Ivy actually have sex on stage. The main thing that makes my production so different is that to me this is not just a story. It’s not about two gay men, an overweight woman, or someone who is abandoned. I’m not trying to play up the specifics of the story, but of everyone as a whole. It’s all about love for me and everyone deserves love and value and acceptance."
L: What is your most favorite part of the production/rehearsal process?
R: "I love how it’s been a collaborative process. I love watching my actors’ eyes light up when they find an idea that they want to incorporate. I love watching them love what they’re doing and enjoying what they’re doing. That’s a great experience for me."
L: Anything else you would like to add?
R: "I could not have done this alone. I picked a production team and a cast of people that I knew could get stuff done. They inspire me every day and it’s been great working with them. I didn’t expect to end up with such dedicated and talented people who- I don’t mean to be gushy- but I admire and love very much."
A staged reading of "Bare: A Pop Opera" will take place Apr. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. in the Hamblin Theater.
