Logan Edwards speaking with Michael Drury
A pandemic. A word that I didn’t even know until almost a year ago. Something that prevents me from being able to do what I love. The pandemic has made theatre communities take a step back, and reevaluate how they will bring captivating shows back to their audiences. A lot of things have had to change, from ticket pricing to the number of people in the cast and we can get a better understanding of how our community-based theaters have adapted to the current climate.
Michael Drury, the Artistic Director of 20 years at Pandora Productions. Pandora has been going strong for almost 25 years and in those 25 years, they have upheld their mission statement in so many inspirational, powerful, and dynamic ways. In my interview, Michael Drury shared the story of how he became the owner of Pandora with me. That he and Bo Cecil, 1 of the 3 founders of Pandora, were having dinner in Michael’s living room. During this time they shared, they no longer enjoyed what part of the theater world they were working in. So, at that moment Bo Cecil offered Pandora to Michael. Michael said yes and 20 years later Pandora Productions is still thriving and continuing to impact lives. Before Michael so happily accepted Pandora Productions, he was an actor. He traveled around the country looking for jobs and gigs. Eventually, he came to terms that he was no longer enjoying the part of the industry he was in. He wanted to move to the business side.
After this story, I asked what aspects of acting he brings into directing? He expressed that being an actor, you learn what you favor about your directors and things they did to make you a better actor. “All of those things shaped me into being a director.” As now a more experienced director, Michael hopes to bring Pandora to the next level. Pandora’s purpose is to share stories with their audiences, that other theaters dare not challenge to do. Pandora prides itself in telling LGBTQIA+ stories and that is something that truly enriches the education, sensitivity, and diversity of the Louisville Community. “LGTBQ stories can be hard to tell because those stories can get intense. It is rewarding to know that I am able to educate the audiences and have them walk out more culturally aware than walking in.” (Michael)
Covid-19 has impacted Pandora Productions positively, but mostly negatively. With them moving to a virtual season, many things had to change. On a normal basis, Artistic Directors would hold auditions, cast the show, and start rehearsals. But the pandemic has caused shows to become one-person casts at Pandora Productions and that calls for new ways to go about rehearsing. “Preparation for a one-person rehearsal is much different. Rehearsal is a little bit different because I'm only rehearsing one person and that one person is talking constantly, so you know I can't have three or four-hour rehearsals because that's too exhausting for one person.” One of the positive things from rehearsing one person’s shows is the learning process. I went on to ask “Is there anything from directing a one on one show that you can take back to a big group rehearsal?” Michael: “yeah I think so. I think the intensity that I give an individual actor in a one-person show is the kind of intensity I'd like to give to every actor in a show...” We went on to discuss Pandora’s hopefully live season of 2021-2022, and he has some big things planned.
It is so important to donate to theaters like this one. Theater is not only an industry, but it is also a family and it is a being that sparks creation and inspiration. It is a place that allows you to express yourself, a world that is full of love and compassion. Without theater, many things wouldn’t be here. My final question to Michael was “do you have any advice for young artists out there?” he said “Create. Just keep creating. Find ways to create. We often wait around for someone to give us an opportunity. Don’t do that. Simply practice your audition materials...if you're an actor find a monologue and work it… if you're a singer, find a song, get a voice teacher, and practice until your heart’s content.” Simply, practice and don’t wait for anyone to give you your opportunity to shine.
To support Michael and Pandora Productions, you can learn more about them on our Donate Local page, or go to https://pandoraprods.org
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