Spotlight On: Susan Bailey
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into our talented cast of Steel Magnolias. Get to know Susan Bailey who is portraying Ouiser Boudreaux in our production!
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
I’ve been keeping my schedule open in the hope that “Steel Magnolias” would turn up at a CT community theatre, so I was excited to see CTC plan for it this season. It’s such a wonderful women’s vehicle — about friendship, love and unconditional support among women.
What do you love about your character?
Ouiser is so unfettered. She gets to say and do all the things we sometimes wish we had the nerve to do.
When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?
As I write this it’s still early in rehearsals, so I have my nose in my script trying to get a step ahead of what we’re working through
Can you describe a challenging scene you’ve played and how you tackled the emotional complexity?
Recently, I had the privilege to play Fraulein Schneider in “Cabaret”. So much of that story strikes close to the bone of today’s current events. When economic survival at the hands of the Nazis forces her to choose between the man she loves and simply surviving, she makes the gut-wrenching choice to cast away her Jewish lover for the sake of survival. Playing it always hurt me to my core.
How do you utilize stage blocking and movement to enhance your character’s story?
The blocking allows each of us to move in and out of the focus of each scene, whether Ouiser is crashing into the scene to take it in a new direction, our we are all on stage holding in complete stillness to allow M’Lynn to quietly build to the play’s climax.
How do you build rapport and trust with your fellow cast members to create believable onstage dynamics?
Oh, “Steel Magnolias” practically does that for us. Everything about the story pulls us all into the center of this close knit group.
What do you do to prepare mentally and physically before a performance?
Practice, practice, practice!
Why should audiences come to see this production?
“Steel Magnolias” is often considered a “Chick Play.” But the route it travels from fun, funny friendships to and through life’s most gut-wrenching events offers all audiences the genuine catharsis to help us each weather the joys and heartaches we all experience in life. And this production really delivers on the various highs and lows. You’ll enjoy all the feels.
“Steel Magnolias” opens on March 14th and runs through March 23rd at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!
“Harling has given his women sharp, funny dialogue…The play builds to a conclusion that is deeply moving.” —New York Daily News.
“…a skillfully crafted, lovingly evoked picture of eccentricity in the small-town South…Robert Harling is a new voice in the theatre and the qualities of STEEL MAGNOLIAS suggest he may be an important one.” —Drama-Logue.
“…suffused with humor and tinged with tragedy.” —New York Post.
