Anna Medley’s plan: interact and react!

Anna Medley Interview by Jen Bush

Romance With Orion

For the 47^th season of The American Theatre of Actors, theatergoers are in for a real treat.  The multiple award-winning founder, president and artistic director of this landmarked artistic institution has written a new play entitled Romance With Orion which he will also direct.  The ATA is a repertory theatre with the mission of promoting the development of new playwrights, directors and actors and providing them with a creative and supportive atmosphere in which to hone their craft.  They have been mounting quality theatrical productions for decades.

Romance With Orion is a one-act play dealing with three generations of family.  With technology dividing them, they’re barely on the same page.  Will the grandfather be able to pass his wisdom down the line?  See the play and find out!  In the meantime, we had the opportunity to have a chat with one of the talented members of the cast.  Anna Medley graciously talked to us about this production and her journey as an artist.

Every artist has a creative process which assists them in taking their work to the stage ready level.  Ms. Medley gives us some insight into how she will transform into her character.  “My name is Anna and I play Carol Thurman, the powerful 17-year-old granddaughter of Laurence and daughter of Nelle and Frances. My creative process involved deep script analysis of the play so I can discover more about my character and how they interact with the other elements in the play. From this point, I dive into my own interpretation of Carol and how I can find elements of myself in her and bring my personal sense of reality to the piece.” 

Even dating back to the Industrial Revolution, technology has always been a double-edged sword.  It can be both positive and negative to society depending on its application.  Ms. Medley gives her take on the topic since it has to do with the plot.  “Technology has many benefits; communication, scientific advancements, and connection; but at the same time has many downsides as well. Social media has skyrocketed and presents unrealistic expectations about their users, therefore encouraging people to potentially want to change their habits to copy what’s online. Especially with teenagers like Carol, technology is used as an escape from reality and inhibits connection with others. Some parts of technology are mindless and only serve as a way to disconnect rather than the opposite.”

Sometimes elders tend to be dismissed in our society .  Ms. Medley recognizes and respects what elders have to offer.  “I think our elders have more wisdom than we ever could. My grandparents are all the most knowledgeable people I know. They have had experiences which have formed our entire families. The generations before mine were resilient and self-sufficient. I think currently we are fixated on appearances and making money rather than following our passions alongside working hard. That is what my parents and grandparents do. They work hard, but always put others first and want to learn as much as they can. I think we have become settled as people and my elders are always pushing to learn and be more, even at 98 years old.”

The American Theatre of Actors is always lauded as a wonderful place to work.  “It is such an incredible blessing that is genuinely hard to describe. To think of the art and artists who have worked within these walls is humbling and makes me incredibly grateful to James for his innovation and opportunity.”

Romance with Orion
Written and Directed by James Jennings
Aug 23-Sept 3
$25 

American Theatre of Actors

315 West 54^th Street

New York, NY 10019