Actors Susanna Rogers & Allen Gilmore on Adapting Shakespeare for Play On Podcasts

The Play On Podcasts Adaptation Process

• 🎙️ Play On Podcasts presents audio adaptations of Shakespeare, with this episode featuring actors Susanna Rogers and Allen Gilmore discussing their experiences with "Shrew" and "The Taming of the Shrew."
• 🎭 Susanna Rogers, who plays Kate/Katherina, highlights her long-standing collaboration with writer Amy Freed and director Art Manke, praising Freed's unique writing style and Manke's fearless direction.
• 🤝 Allen Gilmore, who plays Petruchio, expresses deep admiration for Amy Freed's modern take on "The Taming of the Shrew," believing it offers a more relevant perspective for contemporary audiences.

Directing and Collaboration with Art Manke

• 🌟 Both actors emphasize their strong working relationships with director Art Manke, describing him as fun, collaborative, and possessing a clear, articulate vision.
• 💡 Manke is noted for his ability to articulate complex ideas, offer insightful suggestions, and create a safe, stimulating environment for actors to take risks.
• 📚 Manke's thorough preparation, including requiring actors to engage with source material like "The Three Musketeers" novel, is highlighted as a method for deepening the collaborative process.

Adapting "The Taming of the Shrew" and "Shrew"

• 🎯 Susanna Rogers found Amy Freed's translation of "The Taming of the Shrew" more satisfying by focusing on the characters as equals and interpreting "obey" as a mutual act of love and vulnerability.
• 💥 "Shrew," in contrast, is described as allowing Kate's explosive personality to blossom and explode in a way that is ultimately satisfying.
• 🎭 Allen Gilmore felt that Amy Freed's "Shrew" provided a more fleshed-out, 3D, and believable portrayal of Kate and Petruchio, making them smarter, more vulnerable, and kinder.

The Power of Audio Performance

• 🎧 The podcast medium fosters an intimacy and immediacy that can be incredibly powerful, allowing for a deep focus on listening and connection between actors.
• 🌌 Despite recording in separate locations (Chicago and New York), the actors felt a palpable chemistry and a sense of being in the same room, creating a "movie in your mind" experience for the listener.

Actor's Approach to Roles and Directorial Vision

• 🤔 Susanna Rogers discussed her process of finding truthfulness in complex characters, even those with potentially objectionable elements, by seeking justification within the character's perspective.
• 🚫 Both actors shared their commitment to only taking on projects they can fully believe in, with Allen Gilmore noting he has passed on offers and Susanna emphasizing the importance of not signaling to the audience if one doesn't truly mean it.

Dream Roles and Future Projects

• 🎭 Allen Gilmore expressed a desire to play George in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" with Susanna Rogers, alongside other dream roles like John Merrick in "The Elephant Man" and various August Wilson characters.
• ✨ Susanna Rogers enthusiastically agreed to the "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" pairing, marking it as her immediate dream project.