| Director's Page | |
| Dusty Westfall, Director of The Laramie Project | |
 An
interview with Dusty Westfall, 31 January 2008Dusty Westfall is a student at University of Arkansas Fort Smith and lives in Fort Smith. FSLT: When did you start in theater? DIRECTOR: I was at Northside High School when I began working in their drama department. After a couple of years there, I was asked to work at the FSLT, which opened doors to work with the other organizations such as the Young Actors Guild and in a couple of collegiate theatre departments. FSLT: How did you get started in the Fort Smith Little Theater? DIRECTOR: Like many other FSLT volunteers, I was asked by Jim Moody to work on a production. I worked as Stage Crew for All the Way Home. I on a few shows each season since then. FSLT: Why did you choose the current play to direct? DIRECTOR: It is a truly unique play. The Laramie Project isn’t “based on a true story” it is the actual words of real people that were affected by Matthew Shepard’s death. It’s modern and the characters are real people which makes it easier for the audience to connect. There are several powerful stories and I feel this script was arranged in a way that is not entirely biased, it presents exactly what was said and allows you to decide exactly how you feel about all of the situations and themes throughout the show. I believe that this show will raise much thought and discussion. My hope, as well as the writers of the Tectonic Theatre Project, is that this show doesn’t appear “preachy” or offensive to your personal beliefs. What I would like the audience to consider is the comparison of Laramie to Fort Smith. Both are very similar towns. I find it curious to think how the citizens of our city would react to this incident if it happened in our backyard. Laramie has undergone not only a tragic death, but dealt with a national media invasion, lengthy court trials, protests, and the loss of friends due to difference of opinion. FSLT: Are their any other plays would you like to direct? DIRECTOR: There are several. I can’t name them off the top of my head but I have a few scripts I’m familiar with, and fellow FSLT volunteers happy to offer suggestions. FSLT: You've done several roles as an actor. Do you have a favorite? DIRECTOR: Rick Steadman is my number one. I played Rick in The Nerd my freshman year of college and I have never had more fun with a character. Last spring I had a lot of playing an eccentric writer/director in The Pot Boiler, a one act show at UAFS. It was the first time I ever got applause and cat calls for my costume alone. Also, my most recent role as Royce in Dearly Departed is the only other contender. I had a lot of fun playing the ‘demon’ son opposite Carole Rogers who played my conservative mother. FSLT: Are there any other roles you would like to play? DIRECTOR: I know we don’t do much Shakespeare at the FSLT but I have always been interested in Hamlet, I think I would learn much from delving into the mind of such a complex character. Other than that one in particular, I will take a great comedic role any day. What can I say? I’m a ham for laughs! FSLT: What acting disaster sticks out in your mind? DIRECTOR: When I was in a college performance of Arsenic and Old Lace I was playing the sinister villain and one of the actresses play my aunt stepped on the other aunt’s skirt and it went down to her ankles. She was behind a couch and had shorts on, but we all pretty much broke character but didn’t stop and went on with the show. FSLT: You have done several jobs in theater, (possibly acting and directing, building sets and props and special effects). Do you have a favorite activity? DIRECTOR: I have enjoyed and at times loathed all the duties of theatre but if I had to choose, I’d rather be on stage. FSLT: Do you consider yourself primarily and actor, director or technical person? DIRECTOR: I’ve done all three and I believe you’ve got to have a little bit of all three in you in order to do that job best. FSLT: Where do you get your energy? What keeps you going in theater? DIRECTOR: Coffee. FSLT: What do you find rewarding about theatre? DIRECTOR: Laughter and/or applause.
(You can meet Dusty in person after any of the performances during the run of The Laramie Project |
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| This Page Last Updated Friday, February 01, 2008 |