Halcyon's Artist of the Month - December 2010

Derrick:   Hello, everyone.  I’m here today with the first ever Halcyon Artist of the Month, Ruth Schilling.  Ruth is always a joyful presence at any Halcyon meeting or rehearsal.  She is kind, friendly, and always singing.  She has also been a key player in the workshopping and execution of Halcyon’s current production, Trickster.  Hello, Ruth and congratulations.  Now, let’s get the most basic question out of the way first.  Tell me a little bit about yourself.  Who are you?

Ruth:    Hmm.  Who am I?  This is rather a life long question, but I could offer a few possibilities.  For much of my adult life I've been a secretary/administrative assistant by day and actress - singer - something creative by night.  I have a strong propensity for spiritual thoughts and approaches to how we live here on earth.  I am always interested in why.  I am buoyed up by the beauties of nature.  I have a passionate need to be heard, but also love hearing the stories of others.

Derrick:   What draws you to Halcyon theatre?

Ruth:    I was drawn to the company over a couple of years of seeing this interesting couple on the bus and train.  I met Tony, Sr. and Junior first - the younger being drawn to the snowy bus stop on a sled by the elder.  I had no conscious intention of going back to acting when we first met (my last show was in the middle 80s), but there must have been something/someone hovering over us!  We just kept meeting on trains and buses and eventually talked of theater and what we liked and didn't like about various aspects of it.  So it was mainly the person of Tony and Jenn that drew me in to begin with.  I complained about auditioning to them and then I auditioned for them!  I liked their energy and commitment and sense of fun.  I especially like the commitment to works by women.

Derrick:   How long have you been with the company?

Ruth:    I am a very recent member.  It was some time this past summer that I was invited to join. My first show was What of the Night in last season's Alcyone Festival.

Derrick:   What projects are you currently working on?

Ruth:    I am playing the role of Molly and doing a little vocal coaching in Trickster and will be Assistant Director for Iphigenia.

Derrick:   What is your favorite Halcyon memory?  It can be anything you like.

Ruth:    The whole experience of playing Reba in What of the Night - from coming home from rehearsals unable to wind down for hours - I was so excited about being back in theater (and so surprised at how much I liked it!) to opening night - getting through it and running up to Tony and hugging him, to rides home with Arvin and Arch.  Frankly just about everything is immensely memorable to me in this experience!  I also really liked having a (champagne) breakfast with Tony, Jenn, Tony Jr. and Charlotte after the show was over - watching them walk up the sidewalk Charlotte furious at the snowflakes in her eyes.

Derrick:   What are your goals for yourself and for the company?  Your hopes and dreams.

Ruth:    That we find a space of our own.  Education, Children's theater, more community outreach.  That we become a company with all of us involved and working towards our vision.  For me personally - just to keep walking through what lies before me, keeping my heart and ears open to "spirit" so I don't [[mess]] up too much!

Derrick:  So, where are you going from here?  What's next for you?

Ruth:    Well, after Iphigenia - rest, vacation perhaps.  Some writing.  A visit to recently "re-found" relatives in July - connecting with a side of my family that I had thought forever lost to me.  I have some Chicago stories that I would like to finish and perhaps put on stage.  And, of course, new projects with my colleagues at Halcyon!

Derrick:   Thank you, Ruth and, again, congratulations.  You can all see Ruth perform in Halcyon Theatre’s Trickster which opens on Jan 6^th, 2011 and runs through Feb 6^th.  Ticket prices and reservation information can be found on Halcyontheatre.org.  I’ll be back in January with another Halcyon Artist of the Month.