Lillian is a "newbee", this
being her second season at Bedford Players, and so her participation has been
limited to helping out with publicity, sitting on the Executive Council, and then jumping into the fire as
Producer of 'Maggie's Getting Married'! It was never her intention, she will say; to be anything but someone
behind the scenes in a small way. (I) guess you never know what kind of fun is in store when you get involved
with an industrious and engaging group like Bedford Players.
In a few words the producer’s job is exciting, interesting, scary, and a great learning experience.
The Producers role is a job that requires a cool head, with the occasional panic attack, the ability to do
research, organize and follow a schedule, and to deal with many diverse personalities. The checklist for the
producer's job comes out the minute the next play is chosen and is in front of you until the moment of the
first performance. Lillian has spent anywhere from two hours a week to two hours every day of the week. A
lot of time is spent using e-mail to catch up with people, and waiting for return calls.
Lillian’s advice to anyone interested in joining Community Theatre: Jump in. You have absolutely nothing to loose but your mind, and the fellowship and sense of accomplishment are such big rewards. Though new to Bedford Players, Lillian is by no means new to the world of performing arts. Not mentioning her efforts in high school, Lillian started out a decade ago with a small part in a Knox Church Dinner Theatre. After the first three years she began writing, producing and directing, always writing in an itty-bitty part for herself such as a starfish, reindeer and other 'ridiculous' characters. Lillian's plays have also been performed by two other groups. To list but a few of her onstage credits, Lillian has been a pirate's wench; a cook with an unrecognizable accent – something akin to Swedish with a little French thrown in for good measure; one of Santa's reindeer – Rudolph; an estate lawyer; a singing starfish; and a fairy godmother; and they were a lot of fun!
I'd really like to be a ham on stage but my memory turned to hamburger a few years back. The playwrights
don't appreciate it when you adlib every line (because you can't remember their words) in their plays, nor do the
directors! And so, instead of being in the spotlight I try ensure sure the spotlight is working.
Lillian has always enjoyed entertaining people, from high school plays, to church choirs. Even at work, she
has had the opportunity to participate in carnivals by writing skits, being mascots from a parrot to Super Chicken,
and writing cheers and leading cheerleading squads. It certainly seems impossible, with her energy and enthusiasm;
that Lillian would ever try to be someone behind the scenes in a small way
.
I had been attending wonderful plays for several years and filled out the "membership drive form"
at a performance. I just felt that this would be something that I would enjoy and I was right.
Sadly for Bedford Players, Lillian shall be moving West in 2009. I ...feel so fortunate to have found Bedford
Players, even though I shall be with the group for only a short time. My time with this group has given me
the motivation to either find a theatre group in my new location, or perhaps start a new amateur group that
encourages the use of local talent. I've always wanted to be a catalyst to help someone see their talent and
take a chance with their creative skills. Maybe someday I could be the person who introduces the next "star"
actor or playwright to the country, through a small town theatre group. Hey....maybe that new discovery could be me!
I love the sense of accomplishment that comes with affiliation with any theatre group. All the hard work is right
there on stage for everyone to see and enjoy. Bedford Players has been such a positive influence and I wish
this group many 'broken legs' and much happiness.
The West is certainly not aware of the fired-up force that
is headed their way – our loss will definitely be their gain. There is no sense that Lillian will try to be someone
behind the scenes in a small way in her new life!
Lillian works full time as an Administrative Assistant with DND. When she is not doing that, she enjoys writing short stories and plays, and watching TV with her dog Bailey. She also loves to get in the water to swim, enjoying the exercise of the calming activity.