The director says she is sticking to the play’s traditional format of set design, which is essentially “simplistic”.
A table, two chairs and a pair of actors reading from the scripts on an otherwise bare stage and against a black curtain backdrop.
“There are no flashy or fancy lights or set movement apart from the actors reading the letters. There will be no over-the-top emotion display, but only pure and natural reactions to stage couples.”
Stevens said the play will have four different couples take the stage at Evolution Theatre on four consecutive days. On Thursday the play will be opened by couple Norman Maclean and Liz Minogue. Friday will see Elizabeth and Alex Raines grace the theatre. Long time partners in crime Dinna Myers and Hugo McGuinness play their characters on Saturday and last but not the least, Julie McPhail and Mike Costello close the show this Sunday.
“I especially feel privileged to direct someone like Norman and Dinna who have produced enjoyable plays over the years and have always been behind the scenes,” says Stevens.
“This week’s play will show their other talented and personal side, you don’t see often.”
On her journey to arts, the American born Stevens said she was always involved in theatre.
“When I was in fifth grade, I participated in a production of Alice in Wonderland and I loved it.
“Then as a teenager I worked in community theatre, helping out backstage doing props and being part of a chorus in a few shows.”
In 1983 she finished her majors in acting from Drew University in the States and did some acting classes in New York.
“Getting a theatre degree got me working in the box office and for a few years I worked in Broadway as well.”
The director said within a few years, her life underwent a few twists and turns, which included her close theatre friend going into labour and having a daughter.
“Although her husband was a lovely fellow, he didn’t show interest in attending the birthing classes. So I used to go with her to help out and eventually I was given the opportunity to become her godmother.”
Back then, since earnings from theatre didn’t suffice, especially when it came to health insurance, both the friends made the decision to become midwives.
Stevens became a midwife in 1992, and when she retired from her profession in 2017, she took to theatre full-time again.
She moved to Gisborne in 2012 and worked as a midwife.
Five years later she found herself back on the stage with her role in Death of a Salesman with James Packman.
“The funny thing is James and I have been married twice in theatre and have played as the father and son in last year’s Rock of Ages.”
After her directional debut for Shadow Box in 2017, she found herself collaborating with Dinna Myers from the Evolution Theatre.
A year later she met her now husband and thespian Andrew Stevens — both completeing their wedlock vows only last September.
■ For more info and to book your tickets visit https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2023/love-letters2/gisborne
