Sailing the high seas with Sterling Blackwell: Director of upcoming ‘Pirates of Penzance’ performances takes time out for a Q-and-A – Ontario Argus…

ONTARIO Putting on a live performance is a challenge for even the most seasoned of directors, but taking on the classic works of Gilbert and Sullivan provides an extra layer of challenge. Tackling a project of this magnitude is what Sterling Blackwell is excited to be doing. Blackwell, along with Jan Davis, adapted this latest incarnation of the classic tale. The Argus caught up with him for a question-and-answer session as he gears up to direct three upcoming performances of The Pirates of Penzance at Four Rivers Cultural Center this Thursday through Saturday.

At the end of every performance, audience members will have the opportunity to donate to local domestic violence outreach organization, Project DOVE. Cast members will take up donations while interacting with the audience.

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Argus: When did you first know you were drawn to the arts and performing?

Blackwell: The arts have ALWAYS been a part of my life in one form or another. I have always loved to sing, paint, create things... I find it all very therapeutic and rejuvenating for the soul. Growing up I watched my mother perform in live productions and on TV commercials and such in Texas. Though I never thought much of it, other than I loved to watch her, it wasnt until I myself got into middle school and took a drama class that I fell in love with getting to perform on stage.

Argus: What are some challenges in directing a show like Pirates of Penzance?

Blackwell: Well... Pirates of Penzance is technically an Operetta. There is VERY little dialogue in the show and almost everything is sung. Last I checked, we dont have an opera company in Ontario and even though we have some amazing talent, not everyone is going to want to come and see an operetta by a community theater. I needed a show that I knew would be low on cost, have the flexibility to make changes to the script, and would still be fun for the audiences to come watch. Pirates was the answer. I have more ladies than men in the show, so I got creative on how I adjusted the dialogue in the performance. There are a few Pirate Step-Sisters, Man pirates doubling as policeman, and even some puppets thrown in the mix. Ive changed some lines, added a new song rewritten by my friend Jan Davis, and tried to give the play a little more life while keeping much of the same music and spirit of the original. Also, because I was so short on guys, there is an opportunity for some audience members to join us each night for the performance! That in itself makes for some fun and exciting challenges.

Argus: How have your perspectives on directing changed since taking on this project?

Blackwell: Ive been directing for nearly 15 years in the Treasure Valley and every show changes me in some way. I am so honored to have a cast that has sacrificed so much of their time to be in this production. We laugh a lot, sometimes through tears, but we absolutely become a family through the rehearsal process. How can your perspective NOT change when you are surrounded by new people who become a part of your pirate family? I may be a teacher of 170+ students, but I dont have kids at home. Anyone who has a family and still tries to enrich their lives by doing some arts is truly amazing to me and I look at the in awe and wonder. I can barely feed myself and rehearse, Im not sure how they can do it all! Total respect for them! Beyond the cast, I have a much deeper respect for Gilbert and Sullivan as artists and for any music director that says yes to any of their work! Its tough stuff!

Argus: Is there a different set of challenges associated with live performance as opposed to something that is filmed?

Blackwell: Live performance is a slow rehearsal process with a short lived moment of glory while on stage. It is a rewarding experience and you push your self to get that perfect performance in the end. Film on the other hand is a short rehearsal process that can lead to a much longer moment of glory if the film does well. Both are rewarding in their own ways, but I definitely feel there is a much stronger transformative power behind live performance than there is in film. On stage you dont have the luxury of cutting and trying the scene again. You have to move forward with the show even if you missed a line, forgot a prop, or fell on stage. The courage that comes from going on with the show despite your mistakes is so empowering that I wish EVERYONE would take a chance on performing live!

Argus: Is there a challenge in taking on work of Gilbert & Sullivan?

Blackwell: Yes... oh my goodness, YES! The music is grand, glorious, and often much more difficult for your actors if you plan on having them do anything other than just stand on stage and sing. We have some amazing talent, but I definitely had to transpose the songs a few keys so that it wasnt as strenuous on our voices and we could move while singing. If I do another Gilbert & Sullivan show, I will make sure I have enough money to hire a musical director so I dont have to wear that stressful hat as well!

Argus: Do you have any projects that youre working on in the future?

Blackwell: Always! Fruitland High Schools Musical Theater Class will be bringing Disneys NEWSIES to Four Rivers mid February of 2020. Keep your eyes peeled for that show because it is going to be amazing! (50 kids on stage tap dancing... yep- its gonna happen!) Once that show is done, I will be working on the next Re.Theater performance. Im not set on which show just yet, but I am hoping to have enough money from the ticket sales of Pirates to make it a bigger named show. Only time will tell.

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Sailing the high seas with Sterling Blackwell: Director of upcoming 'Pirates of Penzance' performances takes time out for a Q-and-A - Ontario Argus...