NOTE: This story was published erroneously Sunday, 2 days earlier than scheduled. It is reposted now.
Staples Players made a life-changing impact on Gina Rattan.
After performing in shows like “Guys and Dolls,” “The Music Man” and “City of Angels,” the 2004 graduate studied directing at the University of Michigan.
She’s worked at the Royal Albert Hall and Guthrie Theater; assisted the lead producer at Disney Theatrical, and served as associate director for 7 Broadway shows, and the national tour of “Cinderella.”
Gina now coaches actors for theater, film and TV, plus corporate executives. She focuses on helping people communicate, in any area of life.
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Gina Rattan
For the past 10 years, Gina has mentored directors in Staples’ One-Act Festival. She helps teenagers bring their vision to the Black Box stage.
But — realizing the impact of her Staples experience 2 decades ago — she wanted to do more.
“Players is an environment where excellence was expected of me. People believed I could do something challenging and great — and that when I screwed up, we could solve problems together,” Gina says.
“I wanted to pass that along to the next generation of kids.”
She talked with David Roth — her Players’ director in the early 2000s, and still in that role — about another project that could empower teenagers.
The result — “A Wrinkle in Time” — can be seen February 7 (sold out) and February 8 (5 and 7 p.m.) at Toquet Hall.
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The adaptation of the beloved science fantasy novel, in a non-traditional performing space, excites Gina.
“It’s very different for the actors than being in the light, with the audience in the dark,” says Gina. “It adds excitement. No one can hide.”
The set is minimal, but the spectacle is great, she notes.
She and her actors use the rehearsal process as a “creative laboratory.” Gina, the actors, stage managers and production assistants are all co-creators in the final product.
Together, they “create the mood, and structure the world, in a very exciting way.”
“I could do it all on my own,” Gina notes. “But it’s much more empowering this way. There is a lot of experimentation, collaboration, and opportunities to try, fail, and build resilience.”
Her teenage students realize that there is not just one answer to how to stage a scene, or interpret a character. They do not follow Gina’s commands. Instead, they create a work together.
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Gina Rattan (seated on floor) with her young actors. (Photo/Kerry Long)
That’s not easy, the director says. “Self-empowerment is grueling. It takes a lot of energy.
“But the process of discovery is just as important as the result. That’s a hard sell in our culture today. In an educational context, it’s so important.”
Gina enjoys working with the young cast and crew — and not just for their talent, eagerness and willingness to collaborate.
“I didn’t want to direcct kids pretending to be adults, which is what most high school shows have to be. It’s nice to have a show where they can just been teenagers, and relate to their own experiences.”
“At the same time, there’s a fantasy/science fiction element to it. They’re interpreting it all at a sophisticated level.”
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Rehearsing at Staples High School, before moving to Toquet Hall. (Photo/Kerry Long)
The audience for “A Wrinkle in Time” is broad, Gina says.
“If you loved the book, you’ll love the show. If you’re a teenager, or a teenager’s parent, you’ll connect with it. And for anyone who’s a fan of science fiction and fantasy, it’s a home run.”
Gina loves this project because the cast and crew “never stop learning.” That’s one of the most important lessons she learned in Players, and throughout her years in the Westport schools: “Learning is fun. Learning is great.”
The teenagers are “developing skills at a formative time in their lives. They’ll have the benefit of those skills for the rest of their lives. I feel very honored to be a part of that.”
(Click here to purchase tickets for “A Wrinkle in Time,” and for more information.
(Staples Players’ spring season continues with “The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The mainstage show runs one weekend only: March 7-9.)
(From Staples Players to the Westport Country Playhouse — and to local stars on Broadway, TV and the movies — “06880” covers our town’s vibrant arts scene. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)