In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the cast of WSC Avant Bard’s production of Holiday Memories—a stage adaptation of two classic short stories by Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and “The Thanksgiving Visitor—meet Charlotte Akin.
Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage?
Charlotte: My last show was The Oldest Profession by Paula Vogel at The Rainbow Theatre Project. My last show with Avant Bard was in King John as Queen Felipe of France. Holiday Memories will be my fifth show with Avant Bard.
Why did you want to be part of the cast of Holiday Memories at Avant Bard?
I have always been a huge admirer of Truman Capote. To see his words come to life sounded like a wonderful opportunity to me.
Who do you play in the show? How do you relate to her?
I play Miss Sook, young Truman’s cousin. She became a very intricate part of his growing up in rural Alabama. When he was abandoned by his parents, Sook and “Buddy,” as she called him (Séamus Miller), became best friends. I do relate to the character, since I grew up in the South and can recall numerous stories my grandparents used to tell me.
What’s the show about from the point of view of your character?
Miss Sook was a very lucky lady when Buddy came into her life. Up until then she was lonely and misunderstood. But Buddy changed all that. They became best friends, enjoying many adventures together and truly enjoying each other’s company. Miss Sook really came alive when Buddy entered her life.
What are your own favorite holiday memories?
I know it sounds cliche, but being with family. When my sister and her large family moved to a mountaintop ranch outside of Aspen, my whole family converged on them one Christmas. We took horse-drawn sleigh rides, went ice skating, skiing, caroling. Very Currier and Ives. It was a magical Christmas. Being with the whole family, priceless.
If you could be granted one holiday wish, what would it be?
That the world wasn’t such a scary place right now. So much sadness, so much turmoil. When you turn on the news it’s hard to get in the holiday spirit.
What is your favorite line or lines that your character says, and what is your favorite line that someone else says in the show?
My line: “I’ll wager at the very end a body realizes the Lord has already shown Himself. That things as they are . . . Just what they’ve always seen, was seeing Him.”
Everything Truman (Christopher Henley) says is incredibly beautiful and moving.
What are you doing next on the stage?
No upcoming plans on stage right now. But would love to look into doing some traveling. Spain is next on my travel list!
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing Holiday Memories?
Simpler times. Enjoying life.
Holiday Memories plays from November 25 to December 20, 2015 at WSC Avant Bard performing at Theatre on the Run – 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive, in Arlington, VA. For tickets, call the box office at (703) 418-4808, or purchase them online.
LINKS:
David Siegel’s 5 star review of ‘Holiday Memories’ on DCMetroTheaterArts.
Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’: Part 1: Séamus Miller.
Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’: Part 2: Liz Dutton.
Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’: Part 3: Christopher Henley.
Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’ Part 4: Charlotte Akin.
Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’ Part 5: Devon Ross.
