Alex Boroff has been with Unrehearsed since 2012, when she made her debut as Phoebe in Bard in the Barn’s As You Like It. In Chicago, she spends much of her time working with Ups For Downs, producing musicals with children and young adults with Down’s Syndrome.
Q: How did you first join Unrehearsed Shakespeare?
ALEX: I first started with Unrehearsed Shakespeare by attending a workshop in the summer of 2012. I loved how free the technique allowed me to be (even with all it’s rules) and it gave me a chance to play with some of my favorite and most famous roles without a lengthy rehearsal process.
Q: How does your approach to Unrehearsed shows differ from more conventional productions? Has Unrehearsed has influenced your conventional acting at all? Or Vice versa?
ALEX: “I start with the mathematics of the track. I go through and mark my stress beats, highlight my YOUs and THEEs and underline key action words. Then when I start running through my scroll as I prepare, I find new and interesting actions on my feet that I never would have thought of at my desk, and then jot notes and suggestions to Future Alex down on the scroll. The familiarity with the words comes to me with practice. In conventional productions, I focus more on memorization at the onset of my preparation, because my memory is SO horrible I want to tackle that issue first. Then the technical blocking and action work comes later. Unrehearsed allows me to get the table work out of the way immediately, as in-the-moment work is so much more important. Unrehearsed has given me more of a comfort with improvisation (something I’ve always struggled with) and loosened my inhibitions against making BOLD choices. This has been especially helpful in audition settings.”
Q: This is your first tragedy since Antony & Cleopatra in 2012 (where you played the Sooth Sayer). Has your work changed much over the year/s?
ALEX: “I’m much more comfortable in the technique now. Antony & Cleopatra was so difficult because I was playing quite a few characters, and was more worried about technically doing the technique correctly than I was about my performance. With every show, I become more comfortable in the style so I can focus more on what I’m saying and putting forth a character, knowing that the choices I make will coincide with the technique.”
4. Speaking of Antony & Cleopatra: that show (and As You Like It) were performed in the wide open spaces of The Ravine at Western Illinois University, while Chicago shows typically go down at bars. How does the space-difference affect your work? Do you have a favorite venue?
ALEX: “Wide open spaces are lovely because you have more freedom to run around and make physically dynamic choices. I actually prefer the bar settings though, because when you have those spatial constraints, you really need to focus your attention on the audience. Being a foot from someone’s face makes that 4th wall non-existent from the start. You know how people seem to connect with characters on TV because that person basically comes into your living room every night? It’s hard not to connect with an actor in front of your face asking you questions directly. It’s terrifying and exciting. My favorite venue so far has been in the Black Rock Pub. We were so full during Twelfth Night 2013 that we had NO space to move, but actors started jumping over chairs, tables, audience members and each other to compensate. It felt like a playground!”
Q: Favorite role?
ALEX: “My favorite role has to be a toss-up between Maria in Twelfth Night and Phoebe in As You Like It. Phoebe is so funny and has so many lovely contradictions in her speeches that the audience connects with. I’ve played Maria before in a conventional setting, but nothing beats the instant family connection with Toby and Augecheek when they’re planning their prank. Each of us supported the other and kept raising the energy level until we were literally shouting back and forth with joy. Very hard to go to sleep after that show…”
Why sleep? Be part of the Roman Revolution!
JULIUS CAESAR
March 18 & 25
Justin’s, 3358 N Southport Ave
Doors open at 7:00, show starts at 7:30
$5 suggested donation at the door
Rome is calling! Sit down and be counted!
