Mike Speck is a veteran of the Unrehearsed technique, first performing with Bard in the Barn back in 2006. Most recently he performed in The Tempest as Antonio and Twelfth Night on Twelfth Night ’16 as Malvolio.

Q: How were you first introduced to Unrehearsed Shakespeare?
MIKE: Bill Kincaid started teaching at Western Illinois while I was a graduate student. He used Unrehearsed in several different ways, including as a rehearsal technique during Henry IV Part I.

Q: How does Unrehearsed differ from other acting experiences for you?
MIKE: I tend to get in my head during a traditional rehearsal process. Unrehearsed allows me to analyze, to examine, to mark up my script like a plucky Joss Whedon heroine scribbling on the wall of a Pylean cave…but then it forces me to just get up and do the damn play, making the choices in the moment, depending on what color highlighter I’m looking at.

Q: What (if anything) is your biggest challenge so far with this technique?
MIKE: Catching my breath.

Q: One of the defining attributes of Unrehearsed is its lack of a Fourth Wall. How do you feel about this? How does it affect your work and/or prep?
MIKE: I’m always on the lookout, now, for opportunities to engage with the audience directly. The awareness that the audience can – and SHOULD! – be swayed to take my side is a delightful opportunity.

Q: Favorite Shakespeare Character? And/or: Favorite role to date
MIKE: It was so very fun to play Malvolio, and down the road I think I’d like a crack at Macbeth.

Come check out Mike’s powerful voice and previously-yellow-clad legs April 19 AND 26!