Today we’re excited to share an interview with Martha-Grace Moore. You may recognize her from leading Girl Scout or Pre-Audition Workshops, but she’s currently serving as the leader at the helm of our upcoming production of The Jungle Book, opening June 2nd at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre.
Encore: Welcome to Encore’s Front Row blog! Could you introduce yourself and tell us how you’ve been involved with Encore?
Martha-Grace: Hi! My name is Martha-Grace Moore, and I am the director of Encore’s upcoming production of The Jungle Book. I’m fairly new to town (I’ve been in the area coming up on two years now), and this past year has been a whirlwind of fun working with Encore in a variety of ways. I was in last summer’s production of Mary Poppins, joined up as a teaching artist in the fall, and worked as an assistant director on The Best Haunted House Ever. It has been a blast working with so many aspects of Encore’s theatre outreach.
Encore: How is the plot of this particular production similar to other interpretations of this story that audiences may recognize? Does it differ in any significant ways?
M-G:This version of The Jungle Book focuses on the jungle as Mowgli’s true home, where he feels he is most himself. There are a few retellings of this story that try to steer Mowgli back to human civilization where he supposedly belongs, but what I really like about this Vera Morris adaptation is the idea that anyone can be your family–it’s about who loves and supports you, and who you trust that matters, not necessarily what you look like (or in this case, what species happens to match up with your own).
Encore: We’ve seen you previously in Encore’s production of Mary Poppins. How is this process different? What do you enjoy most about working with young theatre-makers?
M-G: Great question. I was an actor in Mary Poppins, which means most of my work onstage was focused on making character choices for myself and finding ways to interact with the choices of other actors. As a director, I am looking at a much bigger picture and helping guide the choices of all my actors to serve the story we are telling together. My favorite part about working with young artists is the enthusiasm that they bring to the table, and the growth that I get to witness throughout the process. It’s wonderful to see young people grow confident in their choices, and feel empowered to make a character their own.
Encore: If you could turn into any animal, which would it be?
M-G: Oh my goodness, definitely a cat. I’m very Professor McGonagall like that.
Encore: Is there anything else you’d like audiences to know?
M-G: Bring your daring attitudes and let your imaginations run wild! We hope to see you in the jungle!
Thank you so much, Martha-Grace! We hope you all will come adventure with us, June 2-11 at The Jungle Book. If you’re feeling particularly in touch with your wild side, we’d love to see your animal-inspired outfits at the theater!
Photos by: Larry McClemons
Blog contributor: Shannon McCarthy, 2016-17 Arts Apprentice