Interview with Tonya Bludsworth, director for Six Degrees of Separation
TC: Pitch this show to a first-time theatre patron with one word
TB: Clever
TC: Welcome back! What shows have you been involved in at Theatre Charlotte recently?
TB: I directed The Play That Goes Wrong in Season 97 and also played Louise in Thursday Night Bridge Circle.
TC: What made you say yes to directing this show?
TB: The writing. John Guare's dialogue is clever, provocative, funny and moves with rapid fire pace. I love how he uses satire so pointedly to shine a light on connectivity, identity, vanity, wealth, and the inequality inherent in our society.
TC: What do you think will surprise audiences most?
TB: You don't really get this from the play, but I think audiences might be surprised that it's based on a true story and Guare wrote it in one weekend.
TC: Why do you think this is the right story for audiences today?
TB: I think Six Degrees of Separation will resonate with audiences because all these issues are in our faces every day. The power of flattery and desire for fame, the need we feel for connection and to be seen are things we all deal with constantly. Guare lets us experience all those things with poignancy and humor.
TC: Other than this one, what show are you most looking forward to in Season 99?
TB: Too many great choices!! I can't pick just one!