Arkansas Native”>
BECCA MARTIN-BROWN
bmartin@nwaonline.com
Joseph Scott Ford is no stranger to Arkansas. Born and raised in Little Rock, he was 12 when he played the boy who got the coveted bicycle in the 2004 film “Mr. Christmas,” filmed in Eureka Springs, and two decades later, she worked on her play “Responders” at the 2022 Arkansas New Play Festival. In between, she was Dana in the world premiere of “Primating” (Arkansas Repertory Theatre) and Austin in “True West” (Producer’s Club, Company of Fools), while also writing “Not Even The Good Things,” “Sasparilla,” “Mainly The Rabbit,” “Penthouse Play,” “The Only Mountain in Texas,” “The Catch” and “Montauk Rising.”
Presented as part of the 2024 Arkansas New Play Festival, in co-production with Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Ford’s “Responders,” directed by Vickie Washington, makes its world premiere on the TheatreSquared stage, and Ford, now “proudly back at Little It’s Great Raising two children,” answered some questions for The Free Weekly via email.
Q. As I understand it, this is your second (or perhaps I should say “continuing”) collaboration on “Responders.” What have you learned that has shaped the work that T2 audiences will see?
A. This is a funny play about a tragic circumstance. Through this process, from the festival to the full production, I think we have all learned to find the funny and honor the tragedy. It’s a beautiful balance that creates a moving story. And frankly, we learn a little more every night with each new audience, so come see it and be a part of the process. We need you.
Q. When shaping a “black comedy,” how do you balance those two sides?
R. Regretful and with one eye closed. It’s largely instinct and good luck. Some situations, for whatever reason, are funny. Some are not. But even situations that aren’t fun can become fun… if you handle them a certain way. Sometimes the “dark” is in the situation and the “comedy” is in the handling of the situation. Sometimes it’s the other way around. But ultimately it’s a mystery to me and I like to keep it that way.
Q. Based on the 2022 Q&A, I understand that this was your first collaboration in developing a play. What did you learn that you use every time you perform or write?
A. If you don’t have good actors, director, crew and audience, it doesn’t matter how good your script is. So leave your story in the hands of talented people as soon as you can, because that’s when all the learning begins. But, that being said, I’ve also learned to trust my instincts more, because most of what I imagined would work on stage actually works. So that helps me write with more conviction. And, as I’m sure you know, it takes conviction.
Q. Who are your characters? Are they based on anyone in particular?
A. We have Daryl, the senior paramedic who is over it and counting the days until his retirement. There’s Ang (short for Angela), the enthusiastic former hairstylist turned rookie EMT. Then there’s Suzie, the ambitious small-town reporter and Daryl’s ex-wife. And finally Tucker, his dim-witted but well-intentioned cameraman who recently returned from his second tour in Afghanistan. My teacher, Bill Esper, used to say that a “moment” is to acting what a “note” is to music. Every little moment has its own meaning. The same applies to character inspiration. Some of the moments come from aspects of me, some from people I’ve met, some from things I’ve read or conversations I’ve heard, and many of them come from I have no idea where. The characters emerge from this whirlpool of the subconscious. My job is to listen and shape the swirl.
Q. What makes live theater important?
A. The power of connection. The people in the room make live theater matter. Now, a bad story poorly told doesn’t matter much. But when we come together to tell a good story and tell it well, I find that people connect, hearts open, and there is no limit to the goodness that can flow from that theater into the world.
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Frequently asked questions
‘Responders’
By Joseph Scott Ford
WHEN: 7:30 pm Tuesday to Friday; 2 and 7:30 pm on Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday until June 30
WHERE: TheatreSquared, 477 W. Spring St. in Fayetteville
COST: $43-$68
INFORMATION — 777-7477 or theatre2.org
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