Dreamer/Seeker was written by a good friend and classmate of mine from Virginia Tech, Devan Andrews. He is a fellow actor and drew loosely from his experience playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Devan is an avid playwright but doesn’t live in an area where his plays get many chances to be produced so he’ll often send me and some friends some of his scripts to review. This one caught my attention as I love Shakespeare and love when it is used to create wholly new art. Upon reading it, I realized that the script was equal parts beautiful and comedic. Heart breaking and heart warming. A carefully woven tale of life through dreams. I knew we had to bring it to life.
– Why this play now?
In truth, a lot of it was personal timing. Fringe is such a great opportunity for new voices to enter into the playing field of DC Theatre, so I always knew I’d be going to Fringe with it. But from when Devan wrote the first draft and leading up until now, I’d been busy with other shows every summer. After three years, I simply couldn’t wait any longer and made sure I was free to stage it!
– What story are you telling in the performance?
You have the story of the character, Nick, as we enter his dreams and see his life as an actor in rehearsals play out but of course “what” is only part of it. This show is really a love letter to the theatre and to performance but it’s a love letter that’s written when that relationship is going through a rough patch.
But even more than that it’s a story about how we accept loss. How do we find the balance of moving on when people are no longer in our lives without forgetting them. And what is the difference between carrying the memories and clinging to the memories?
– What have you been learning about yourself during rehearsals?
Life can take away your plans no matter how well thought out. You have to appreciate what you have while it’s there but you also have to be able to adapt at a moment’s notice. It’s not what we want, but it’s the only way not to stay stuck.
– If you won a Tony for this show, who would you thank?
Definitely Devan for writing Dreamer/Seeker. My mother for supporting and helping me find a rehearsal space. And really all of the cast and crew for going on the crazy adventure!
– When the performance is over, what do you want the audience feeling or thinking about?
What does it mean to live? To not stay complacent and make the hard decisions that allow us to be better.
Rocky Nunzio is a working artist in the DMV area. A graduate of Virginia Tech, this is Rocky’s first time producing with Capital Fringe. Selective credits include Assistant Director: A Civil War Christmas, Swimming With Whales, Well (1st Stage), Clothes For A Summer Hotel (Rainbow Theatre Project). Actor: columbinus (1st Stage). Rocky was also previously the Artistic Fellow at 1st Stage.
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