In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of Folger Theatre’s The Second Shepherds’ Play, meet Megan Graves.
Sophia: Please introduce yourself to our readers. Where have we seen you recently on local stages?
Megan: Most recently I was at Arena Stage working on Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes. It was a tremendous learning experience. I felt so fortunate to be in the room with such a phenomenal group of performers.
What have you learned about yourself as an actor, singer, dancer and storyteller from appearing in The Second Shepherds Play at the Folger?
I love the moments of direct address in this piece. It can sometimes feel scary to bridge that gap between audience and performer, but I’ve enjoyed leaning into those moments and making those connections. As actors, we take risks to tell our story, and this show has been a great reminder of that.
You have appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Folger. How does your acting approach to Shakespeare differ from your approach to a medieval piece like The Second Shepherd’s Play? Or are they similar? Why?
Unlike Midsummer, The Second Shepherd’s Play is not a piece that audiences are very familiar with. We spent a lot of time in the rehearsal room figuring out how to clarify our storytelling. Both productions were great exercises in using intention to communicate meaning, especially when the words themselves are archaic to our modern sensibilities.
What do you admire about how the designers help you tell Daw’s story?
All of the designers have made really subtle, beautiful suggestions of period and mood. It has given the ensemble incredible freedom to build the world of the play. That’s been lovely.
What would you like to audience to take away from The Second Shepherds’ Play?
At the end of the day, this is a story about peace entering a world of chaos. I hope that resonates with our audiences as strongly as it does with me.
What are you doing next on the stage?
Next up I’ll be playing Molly Aster in Constellation Theatre Company’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher, which opens February 12th.
The Second Shepherds’ Play plays through December 21, 2016, at The Folger Theatre – 201 East Capitol Street, SE, in Washington, DC. For tickets, call the box office aKS:t (202) 544-7077, or purchase them online.
LINKS:
Meet the Cast of ‘The Second Shepherds’ Play’ at Folger Theatre: Part 1: Ryan Sellers by Sophia Howe.
Meet the Cast of ‘The Second Shepherds’ Play’ at Folger Theatre Part 2: Megan Graves.
Meet the Cast of ‘The Second Shepherds’ Play’ at Folger Theatre: Part 3: Matthew R. Wilson by Sophia Howes.
‘Magic Time!’ ‘The Second Shepherds’ Play’ at The Folger Theatre by John Stoltenberg.
Reviedctheaterarts.org/…/meet-cast-second-shepherds-play-folger-theatre-part-2-megan-gravesw: ‘The Second Shepherds’ Play’ at The Folger Theatre by David Siegel.
