"All My Sons" actress enjoys Wheaton Drama experience
As Wheaton Drama has produced an amazing number of shows in its storied 80-year history, it is understandable that a great number of actors, directors, producers, and technical wizards have contributed to the productions and enriched both the Wheaton Drama membership and the community at large.
While many of these talents have definitely left their mark with patrons and Wheaton Drama members alike, time moves on, and eventually these talented people have moved on to other projects, be it in other theatres, work, or family. However, there are a rare few that make Wheaton Drama their home, and Toria Hollyn is certainly one of these talents.
Toria, cast as Lydia Lubey in Wheaton Drama's current production of “All My Sons”, started acting early in life. “I performed in my first show when I was seven- and I have been involved in theatre ever since”, she says.
While Toria has worked for such local theater groups as Overshadowed Productions, Magical Starlight, Summer Place, and First Street Playhouse, she has acted in many Wheaton Drama productions over the years. Her Wheaton Drama shows include “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, “City of Angels”, “Little Women”, and one of her personal favorite plays, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, a production in which she was challenged as an actress.
Toria played Mayella Ewell in “Mockingbird”, noting, “The role was a turning point for me - it pushed me beyond my comfort zone as an actor to walk in the shoes of a character I despised when I read the book in high school.”
Toria may have been pushed out of her comfort zone at times, but she seems right at home in a number of roles with Wheaton Drama, both on stage and off. In addition to helping with set construction, hair and make-up, and sound, Toria has served as assistant director for “The Drowsy Chaperone” and “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change”. For “I Love You”, she also worked as stage manager. Toria has served on the Wheaton Drama play reading committee, the place in which Arthur Miller's Tony® Award winning “All My Sons” first caught her eye. “I fell in love with the script immediately,” she explains. “The language, the characters, the relationships, the message being as powerful and poignant today as it was in 1947 - everything drew me in.”
When “All My Sons” was selected for the 2010-11 season, Toria was thrilled. “I was chomping at the bit to audition,” she says. “I have been wanting to be a part of a full length Arthur Miller play for a long time.” When asked about her character, Toria can't help but be passionate. “Lydia brings a few cheerful moments to the show and represents an image of marriage and family that has thus far eluded Ann, Chris, and George (other characters for the play).” But if you think that such a cheerful character would be simple, Toria begs to differ. “It would be easy to make her a two-dimensional stereotype of domestic bliss, but fortunately, Miller drops many hints that there is more beyond her surface of sunshine and happiness.”
Besides the thrill of playing her character, Toria also enjoys the work before opening night, especially with this show. “What I love about the rehearsal process is the constant growth. Every rehearsal brings something new to the characters, and Marge (Uhlarik-Boller, director) is wonderful at allowing, finding, and creating the development of these moments.” Toria has built a special bond with the “All My Sons” cast and can't stop saying good things about them. “I could not be happier with the experience with the director and cast,” she says. “The cast is extremely dedicated, open, and continually growing in the roles.”
It is not just the "All My Sons" cast and directing staff who have made a remarkable impression on Toria. In speaking about the “All My Sons” crew, it is clear that she enjoys their company as well. “I (had) a great time spending Saturdays working with the set construction crew led by Randy (Knott, set designer) and Keith (DeBolt, set construction). The fun, industry, camaraderie is just as amazing with the crew.”
Performances of “All My Sons” are through April 17. Shows are 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $13 for Thursdays; $16 for Fridays - Sundays.
“All My Sons” is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Wheaton Drama will close its 2010-11 season with the musical, “1776”.
At play since 1931, Wheaton Drama's productions are staged at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St. in downtown Wheaton. For tickets and information, visit www.wheatondrama.org, or call (630)260-1820.