Danny is a founding member of the Unrehearsed Shakespeare Company, where he currently serves as Treasurer. He starred as the titular MacBeth in our debut production in 2009, and is now directing.
Q: How did your Unrehearsed journey begin?
DANNY: Unrehearsed Shakespeare is what attracted me to attend Western Illinois University for Graduate School. My undergraduate classmate and friend, Sara Pavlak, was attending WIU and had told me about the technique. Having a strong interest in Shakespeare, the opportunity to learn this technique (and enhance my Shakespeare knowledge and experience) helped separate WIU from the other schools I was looking at. That fall, I performed in Romeo & Juliet as Paris and I’ve been addicted to performing Unrehearsed ever since.
Q: You’ve been with the Unrehearsed Shakespeare Company since the beginning. How has your work changed over time?
DANNY: Mostly in terms of overall comfort with the language, the technique, and acting in general. Unrehearsed is the real “no fear” approach to Shakespeare; the rules set you up for success, giving you legs to stand on and beautiful words to speak. [My] preparation process has evolved somewhat, but mostly I am now comfortable to the point where I can incorporate other acting and improvisation techniques, while still following the the “rules” of Unrehearsed. I think it’s helped the portrayal of my characters and enhanced the overall storytelling aspect.
Q: Has Unrehearsed had any influence on how you approach more conventional acting roles?
DANNY: Absolutely. While terrifying at first, the cue-script technique forces an actor to listen intently and be present in the moment. As young actors, we often become enthralled with our “lines” and end up waiting for our turn to speak. Only having 4-5 syllables of a cue demands honest listening. I now create cue scripts to use in rehearsals for my other performances. It helps me to be present in the scene with my fellow actors and helps me react more honestly.
Q: MacBeth 2013 is your first official foray into Managing/Directing. How has the experience been for you?
DANNY: Fun! One of the joys of preparing a scroll for unrehearsed is the process of discovery as the technique reveals interesting character and staging choices within the language. As Director, I was able to experience some of these discoveries for all 16 tracks, rather than just one. However, I will be quite jealous as I watch this cast perform these dynamite roles.
Q: Favorite role?
DANNY: MacBeth is my favorite play and my favorite role. Candidly, part of the reason I wanted to direct was to avoid the possibility that I may not be cast as him in this production. There’s something about this character’s open and honest discussion with the audience that is dramatically enhanced by the Unrehearsed technique. MacBeth’s soliloquies are a one-on-one dialogue with the audience as he rationalizes his (poor) decisions and becomes this historic villain. I hope many in the Chicagoland area will come to the show and take advantage of their opportunity to be an *active* part of this dialogue and let MacBeth know what they think about his choices in real-time.
Come see Mr. Pancratz’s opus: MacBeth! Unrehearsed!
November 12 and 19
Justin’s
3385 N Southport Ave.
7:30 pm
Suggested Donation of $5 per patron.
