Ryan Scott Oliver’s 35mm: A Musical Exhibition is one of those shows that will intrigue an audience no matter how it’s produced. Now, during a global pandemic, Art 4 has pivoted from traditional theatre and taken virtual theatre to the next level. This new method of producing has had a lasting impact on the performers as well. We wanted to get an inside look into the experience of being an artist during the 35mm process and COVID-19. In order to do this, we sat down with Jack Saunders, our Man 5 in Art 4’s production of 35mm to find out a bit more about his experience and what it was like preparing the role in our current economic and social state…
Tell us a bit about yourself! How did you get started in theatre?
Jack: I was originally born in England, U.K. and my family moved to the U.S. when I was almost seven. We moved to La Porte, IN. This is where I get involved with theatre. I was 10 and my mother went to the La Porte County Museum and met a woman who mentioned she was doing A Christmas Carol, and was in need of children if she had any that would like to audition. Both me and my brother went to the audition, and I got cast in that show. Since then, I have not stopped performing. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else besides performing, and therefore have just graduated from Indiana University--South Bend with my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts.
What inspired you to audition for 35mm?
Jack: I was let go from my Florida residency program for the year, and so I had to come back home to La Porte. I saw that Art 4 was doing 35mm, and I have been obsessed with 35mm for years. I think it is such an incredible score and I told myself that I needed to audition for this. Also, any excuse to work with the Art 4 gang has been amazing. I previously worked with some of the cast, so I knew that they were super fun to work with, and I love Mark and Aaron’s art style.
Speaking of art style, you previously had workshopped the song “Caralee” from 35mm in a class.
Jack: Yes! I had previously workshopped the song in one of my classes in college. We had to do a comedy song, and I knew that “Caralee” was perfect for the assignment. When I first sang the song for Aaron in rehearsals he asked me if I had done it before. It was funny!
It’s such a fun song. I was so happy that I got the role in 35mm that I got because “Caralee” and “Leave, Luanne” were already in my book, and I felt really comfortable with those songs.
How was that experience having material in your book that you already knew and then having a new director work on the material again with you?
Jack: It was really cool. I hadn’t touched it for a while. Mark was more focused on blocking, and I had my previous mental notes of character choices and had to work around the blocking that Mark gave. We were very much in a collaboration with each other. He saw what I was bringing, and I saw what he was bringing and we adjusted to each other and made some changes as we went. We do some really cool chair-ography in the song, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out on the camera. I think it will be really cool.
What intrigued you the most about the entire process? Did it feel different to do a virtual show?
Jack: It was an experience like no other. I thought it was so cool, and I am really thankful to Art 4 for taking the proper steps to make safe art during this crazy time, but having to learn the music and having to record by yourself at home is a very new experience for me. Normally, you would have months of rehearsals and little bits of blocking; you learn as you go. With this experience, you heard only your track and the background. Blending was one of the issues I had throughout the process. Making sure the tracks had the same vowel shape as the rest of the singers was virtually impossible. I am very interested to see how the editing and sound mixing works for this show in the end.
How do you think the themes of 35mm relates to our current societal and political environment?
Jack: There is one song in particular that I think reflects what is going on currently in our society: “Immaculate Deception.” In the song it talks about how we can take a picture of something and kind of twist the message into what we want the public to see. You can see this happening for both major political parties in the States. Pictures are shared to slander the other parties to cause arguments instead of fixing the actual problems. The message of that song is that it is easier to take a picture than it is to take action and that needs to change.
What do you wish you could inform people about the arts during COVID? Why should they be supporting this kind of work?
Jack: The only three words I can think of are: support local arts. Support arts in general, but especially local artists and companies because there are people in your town that are trying to produce things in this struggling time and they are going to need your help. If you have any spare cash or any spare time just to listen and appreciate people’s talents because to be a performer and not be able to express yourself is awful. You go through moments of drought it seems when you are waiting to go back on the stage, but that will not be happening anytime soon. Anyway that you can support artists and theatre companies, that is what you need to do.
How do you think the community in the South Bend area could engage more in the arts community and support them?
Jack: I wish the arts were advertised more. We have such talented people in The Bend, but in most cases, events get around by word of mouth. It is so great that Art 4 is marketing on social media because that is where most people check for events, but so many companies in South Bend produce things that mainly get publicized by community members talking. There needs to be a more dedicated approach to supporting the arts in the media sector. There needs to be better ways to advertise shows so people can see it.
Who is the best person to see this show? Who would love it the most?
Jack: I don’t think 35mm is catered specifically to any kind of audience. Each song tells its own story and the music ranges in so many different styles. If you are a person that loves incredible scores and really cool stories, this is the show for you!
Do you have any last comments that you would like to add?
Jack: It was super great working with Mark and Aaron. I think they are great for Art 4. I love working with Hannah Efsits and Joe B. Russo again, and I love being able to collaborate with new creative artists like Michelle Miller and Anna Blanchard. One of my closest friends is Emily Chidalek, and it was amazing watching her as the Costume Coordinator and Production Assistant.
You heard Jack! If you love incredible music and really cool stories head on over to our ticket page with the button below! And while you are at it, like us on Facebook (Art 4) and follow us on Instagram @art4sb.