| Director's Page | |
| Wayne Maples, Director of Into the Woods | |
 An
interview with Wayne Maples, 7 January 2008Wayne Maples resides in Fort Smith and works for St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in (or as) Mercy Learning Resources, Professional Billing-AOK, Principle Trainer-Ambulatory, and Genesis-EPIC Project. FSLT: When did you start in theatre? DIRECTOR: In the 9th Grade at Agua Dulce High School. I ran props for a one act play, "Cabbages". It went all the way to State competition with the Texas UIL program FSLT: Have you always been active in theatre? DIRECTOR: I was very active in theatre all through High School and then in music theatre in college and also some community theatre in Wharton, Texas, but life got in the way and I strayed from the stage. FSLT: How did you get started in the Fort Smith Little Theatre? DIRECTOR: I agreed to audition for "Arsenic and Old Lace," - my friend Rosemary Johnson was directing FSLT: Is this your first experience as director in the Fort Smith Little Theatre? DIRECTOR: Yes, this will be the first show to direct at FSLT, although I Asst Directed "Enchanted April" in the 2007 Season. FSLT: Why did you choose the current play to direct? DIRECTOR: This is one of my favorite musicals and is truly a work of art. The fairy tales of old are interwoven into a new story that not only entertains but teaches us something about ourselves and our life from which, hopefully, we can grow. FSLT: Are their any other plays would you like to direct? DIRECTOR: Several, too many to list at the moment FSLT: You've done several roles as an actor. Do you have a favorite? DIRECTOR: I had a lot of fun with Dr Einstein in "Arsenic and Old" lace but will have to say "A Tuna Christmas" has several memorable Characters.... FSLT: Are there any other roles you would like to play? DIRECTOR: Many. FSLT: What acting disaster sticks out in your mind? DIRECTOR: The performance in which I was left all alone on stage during "Arsenic and Old Lace." I had no more lines but was near the front of the stage sitting on a couch with all the action behind me. Rob Ledbetter missed his entrance which just so happened to be the last line of the act and the cue for the lights to go down. Angela Covey, Carol Rogers and Blake Young all finally decided to just walk off stage and still the light booth failed to kill the lights (obviously waiting for Rob to enter). Since the action was behind me, I could not see nor hear them leave. It must have been hours that I was waiting. But when I finally did decid to leave the stage -- much to my surprise, I found that all my cast mates had just LEFT ME ALL ALONE. And the lights still did not go down until well after I had left the stage...we all laughed...... FSLT: You have done several jobs in theater, (possibly acting and directing, building sets and props and special effects). Do you have a favorite activity? DIRECTOR: I enjoy the acting but really like running the lights. FSLT: Do you consider yourself primarily and actor, director or technical person? DIRECTOR: Actor at this point in my life... FSLT: Where do you get your energy? What keeps you going in theater? DIRECTOR: I rub myself daily with 3 neurotic Chihuahuas that have special powers. FSLT: What do you find rewarding about theatre? DIRECTOR: The laughter.
(You can meet Wayne in person after any of the performances during the run of Into the Woods |
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| This Page Last Updated Sunday, February 17, 2008 |