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Klein was originally hired as an English instructor in 1995 after she completed graduate school. She worked as an associate faculty
member until last fall when she was informed that because of low enrollment, there weren’t any classes for her to teach.
At the time of the unfortunate news, Klein had begun to develop an interest in theatre. “Wouldn’t it be great if I could take classes while I was unemployed?” she thought, which is when a higher power (of some sort) presented itself. “Then I saw a poster in a bathroom stall… about the worker retraining program.” Klein qualified
for the program, allowing her tuition money. “Everything seemed to be lining up in the same direction. Fate? Who knows…”
This definitely won’t be the last production that Klein directs – she’s got the bug. When asked if she’d be directing productions in the future, she responds with a solid “Yes,” but she notes also that there are some difficult factors of such a grand responsibility. “Saying
that makes me feel a little nervous,
since once “The Woolgatherer”
opens, I get my ‘normal’ life back, and I miss my family!”
However, Klein’s more than ready for the challenge. She’s already
co-directing a movie that will resume once the play closes, and has plans to direct a short play in SCC’s annual “Shorts” production. “Chris Fisher, former drama instructor has always emphasized
the importance
of having the next project lined up so you can let go of the completed play and give it over fully to the actors.”
However, Klein’s more than ready for the challenge. She’s already
co-directing a movie that will resume once the play closes, and has plans to direct a short play in SCC’s annual “Shorts” production. “Chris Fisher, former drama instructor has always emphasized
the importance
of having the next project lined up so you can let go of the completed play and give it over fully to the actors.”
Shoreline’s drama/theatre department
is definitely on Klein’s list of the school’s best attributes. “Tony Doupe [a drama/theatre professor] is a wonderful instructor,”
Klein said. “He is enthusiastic,
knowledgeable, experienced, and sensitive.”
After the retirement of former professor, Chris Fisher, Klein worries about the future of the drama department. “In these strained budgetary times, I fear SCC will lose the position rather than re-hire, and that makes me sad.” However, that doesn’t stop the excited group of drama students
from pushing forward with enthusiasm. “Tony Doupe says constantly how impressed he is with this quarter’s group – not because
we’re all so ‘talented,’ whatever
that means, but because everyone
keeps at it, keeps showing
up and doing it.”
Klein’s play, “The Woolgatherers”
opened on October 26 and will be running on selected dates until November 10 at The New Space, a venue started by SCC faulty and students who wanted to do more with their theatre instruction
than the school could accommodate. “There is a strong group of young actors and directors
out there who simply want to work, and the Space offers literal space to do that work.”
Klein is a hardcore advocate of allowing students opportunities to practice their crafts, and fully intends on standing by The New Space and seeing it succeed. The Space has applied for a non-profit status because as of now, all of the money that is going to its sustenance
comes from the directors’ and producers’ who are involved with ongoing projects there.
“The Woolgatherers” by William
Mastrosimone attracted Klein as soon as she read the script. “There are two characters,”
she said, “and both of them operate at a level of intensity that appealed to me.” After reading the press release that tells little of the emotional characteristics of the two characters and I was eager to find out what the production
was really about. Klein later gave me her version of the synopsis, describing the play as “a love story about two damaged characters who have no obvious reason to be together, and perhaps
should avoid each other like the plague…”
This production already sounds a little less fiction-based and a little more relatable – and possibly
hard to watch because of it. However, Klein sells it by bringing
up a human truth: “But the story about wise lovers isn’t worth watching.”
You can see “The Woolgatherers”
plays at The New Space October
26 & 27, November 1-2 and 8-10. All shows begin at 8 p.m.; doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Reserve yours by calling (206) 650-9448.
The New Space
17517 15th Ave NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
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