Behind-the-scenes of "Petty Crimes"

Actors' Theatre's Marketing and Communications Intern, Hannah Morey, sat down to chat with Petty Crimes Co-Director (and Actors' Founder) Fred Sebulske along with actress Emily Diener.

What is “Petty Crimes” about?

Emily: It is about six jurors who are trying to come to a verdict over a crime that many would consider more inconsequential or petty than a big murder trial. However, as you continue into the story, you get to know these people, their backgrounds, and their perspectives...Other perspectives which come into play and make you think about the whole thing differently.

Fred: These six strangers get into a room and recognize the baggage they brought in with them. Things precipitate by them rubbing against each other. The interesting thing is they all want the same thing: They want justice. But for each of them, justice may be a different definition. They all want to walk out of the room and think they did something right. That is not easy. 

Have you worked closely with the playwright on this show?

Fred: The Theatre has had the opportunity to hold several readings/workshops with the playwright over the past year-and-a-half. Then we, as a production team, had a meeting with her a month ago with questions. Things from as minor as changing a name to a handful of legal questions. We had a lot of questions about what the characters can do, and what can they bring in. Because she (Kristin Andrea Hanratty) is an attorney, she could answer those questions. She gave us the jury information. She also came to rehearsal the other night for the first time and she’ll be back.
I’ve done this with other playwrights before and it is fascinating because the person that wrote it is in the room. They either know what they meant to do or they watch what we do and see it in a new light. 

Emily: It is nice to have her in the room because she is so invested and involved. This piece is something she poured her heart into and it’s now coming alive onstage and in the rehearsal room. It is a little intimidating because she wrote the words and I feel I have to get them right. But there is also a little bit of grace if you’re struggling with a bit of dialogue because she can have that conversation with us, which is not something actors usually get. 

This play is not your standard ‘courtroom drama.’ It has a lot of depth to it, yes?

Fred: I think it could happen in any place; it just happens to be in this context of a jury room. We never see the courtroom. We never see the people who are being talked about. We just see them through the eyes of the people on the jury. They’re filtering it through their own experiences.

It sounds like it’s more about these six people than it is about the case itself.

Fred: Exactly. 

Emily: We had these wonderful conversations very early in the rehearsal period with both directors and the whole production team about our characters. We each took half an hour and they asked us some questions, things to think about and explore, to inform us how we allow the play to unfold throughout the rehearsal process. So much changes from the first read-through to opening night. It’s a whole journey to be able to dig into the script and ask questions about the characters and not the case. We’re here with these people in this room. We didn’t see the whole trial. We just know these people and their experiences with the trial. 

Do you have any idea who audiences might connect with quickly?

Fred: I think the age of the audience is going to determine who they connect to. Some may be seen as more rational while others are irritants. I think she (Hanratty) did a wonderful job creating a wide population of people that someone will be able to identify with. 

Emily: That will change between scenes for a lot of people. It will be interesting to see how the audience’s relationship will change with these characters throughout the show. 

What drew you to work on this piece?

Emily: I am a true crime fan. It is a world so outside of my own, so it is fascinating. What is interesting in this piece is that one of the characters (Becca) is obsessed with the justice system and is pursuing that as a career. She claims to know everything about it until it has a direct impact on her life and she starts thinking about the consequences. It’s not intangible anymore. 

Fred: I like plays that have something to say. I have worked on shows that were only entertaining and they did not excite me. The plays that excite me have something to say. That is why I started Actors’ Theatre 40 years ago. I wanted to do plays nobody else is doing. If people leave the play and are still talking about the message; that is the play I like. That is the play I want to see. I don’t want good. I want provocative. 

Is it still funny?

Fred: I think it gets funnier each night I work on it. The actors bring it alive and bring themselves into the play. They are smart, funny, and witty people, so they bring that to the character. With six other people, you would have a different play. It is human behavior and human behavior can be really funny.

Emily: We have all worked with each other in the past so we have some of the connections cultivated before the rehearsal process. There is already a sense of trust that is unique and special. Led by Fred and Kyle, who we have faith and trust in, the play is set up for success.

Are there any moments that you connect to?

Emily: My character (Allison) makes a decision later in the show and has a speech about making the “less-wrong” choice. I feel like our country has had that choice for a long time. It is a mentality we are, unfortunately, getting used to. What level of comfort do I have with the less wrong? What is Allison okay with? What am I okay with? I think about that a lot. 

Fred: Because of the diversity of the people in the room, there is a humanity there. When the play starts talking about these ideas, the people in the room have to wrestle with what is right for each of them. The choice the characters make impact the future of someone’s life.

What is it like to be working on a world premiere?

Fred: Nobody’s footprints are in the sand before yours. In any other piece, you try to find a new thing to do differently. Here, you know that nobody has been there before. 

Emily: It is always an actor’s dream to originate a role. To be able to do that is just now hitting me. It is fascinating because I have picked up hundreds of scripts and looked at who originated the role. To think that some Theatre major will ask where I am in a few years is cool to imagine. 

Why should folks see the show?

Emily: It’s challenging. That’s what Actors’ Theatre is for. It is something that will make you think, be angry, and push your boundaries a little. That is an invaluable experience. 

Catch the world premiere of “Petty Crimes” March 2-4 and 9-11 at 8 pm, and March 5th at 3 pm.
Tickets are “pay what you can” in order to make theatre accessible to the general public.

www.atgr.org