In Part 7 of a series of interviews with the cast and director of To Kill a Mockingbird at Rockville Little Theatre, meet Jill Goodrich.
Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on local stages.
I am Jill Goodrich and during the past year, I appeared as Blanche in PGLT’s production of Brighton Beach Memoirs and as Randy in Silver Spring Stage’s production of Superior Donuts. I have also worked with Sandy Spring, GAC, RLT, and MAD at Goddard.
Why did you want to appear in this production of To Kill a Mockingbird?
I wanted to be in this show because I wanted to be a part of telling this beloved story that is still so meaningful even today.
Who do you play in the show and how do you personally relate to your character?
I play Jean Louise, the adult Scout, who narrates the play. I think we can all relate to Jean Louise in some way as we look back on our lives and attempt to see people and events that shaped us from a different perspective.
What is To Kill a Mockingbird about from the point of view of your character?
This is a memory play – specifically, my character’s reminiscence of her younger self and an important time in her life.
What scene or scenes were the most difficult to learn and why?
Since I narrate, I’m not really a part of any scene.
Which scene or scenes moves you the most? And why?
The scene that I am most affected by is the courtroom scene when Tom is testifying, because it really speaks to the injustice of the situation.
Why is this show relevant for today’s theatregoers?
We need to continue to have conversations about racial discrimination in this country and this show illustrates that and opens a door for that discussion.
What have you learned about yourself as a person and an actor while learning and rehearsing your role?
I think it’s still too early to assess this.
What was the best advice your director gave you on preparing and playing your character?
It’s a little early to answer this; ask me again when we have finished the rehearsal process.
For those people who love the film, what is different about the stage version and why should they come see it live on the stage?
I’ll confess that I have not seen the film for many years, so I can’t really speak to the differences. But, I think people should come see it live because it is such an affecting story and there is nothing like the experience of live theatre, and you might find something in it this time that you didn’t focus on before.
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing you perform in To Kill a Mockingbird?
As always, I hope people will walk away having enjoyed the performance, but I also hope it will make them think about our history and how it relates to today and maybe spark some important conversations.
To Kill a Mockingbird plays from April 24 to May 3, 2015 at Rockville Little Theatre performing at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre at The Rockville Civic Center- 603 Edmonston Drive, in Rockville MD. For tickets, call the box office at (240) 314-8690, or purchase them online.
LINKS
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 1: Nancy Lark.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 2: Kieran Duffy.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 3: Stuart Rick.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 4: Kevin Page.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 5: Sydney Lauricella-Reed.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 6: Liz Weber.
