Carleton University’s theatre company Sock ‘n’ Buskin has had a very successful run so far this year with productions like Adult Entertainment and, most recently, a production of Twelfth Night. Their new season brings a whole new roster of exciting performances, directed by the best that Carleton has to offer. February’s production is Rhinoceros by French playwright Eugene Ionesco, directed by Wade Theriault. Here’s what Theriault had to say when the Charlatan caught up with him to discuss the performance and what audiences should expect.
The Charlatan (TC): So, my first question for you is how are plays picked for Sock ‘n’ Buskin? How did you select this play?
Wade Theriault (WT): Plays are picked through a proposal process with Sock ‘n’ Buskin. In the spring, there’s a call for proposals, and the best ones are narrowed down into different combinations for the board to choose from. The plays are usually directed by the people who proposed them, but it’s not necessary.
TC: What were challenges you faced during the production?
WT: I’m not used to leadership positions, so playing director was a struggle and took getting used to. It’s hard to communicate exactly what you need from people, especially when there are so many lines and so many props.
TC: What do you recommend for future directors?
WT: I recommend keeping a positive attitude and trying to keep communication as clear as possible. You don’t want people confused and unsure of what you want from them. I’d also say to make sure you give every actor enough attention so they know you haven’t forgotten about them!
TC: What sets a Sock ‘n’ Buskin production apart from any other productions that Carleton puts on?
WT: For me, Sock ‘n’ Buskin is theatrical friendship. Anyone with the talent to get cast or the time to help backstage can get involved and [be] a part of the joy of theatre. The company is a great and loving community to be a part of. I’ve made lots of memories and friends with Sock ‘n’ Buskin so far and I’m excited for many more.
TC: What was working on this production like?
WT: Working on this production was a lot of work and a lot of negotiating responsibilities. There’s often more than one conversation at once in this play and that took a lot of rehearsals and fine tuning to get right. The play never got old, and we kept finding new jokes in the script every rehearsal.
TC: What was the audition process like?
WT: I was very lucky with the audition process. Our auditions were done with Twelfth Night, so most of the people we weren’t casting didn’t have to leave disappointed. When it came to picking roles, there was a perfect actor for each character. It was a dream come true.
TC: How do you think audiences will react to this performance?
WT: I think audiences will have a ridiculous time. Ionesco’s writing has a way of making you laugh and think at the same time, and I hope that we accomplish that. This play in the end is about caring for each other and standing up to BS, and I hope this play can get that across better than a lecture can.
Photo provided
