Eugene weekly., September 06, 2012, Page 25, Image 25

BY ANNA GRACE
PHOTO COURTESY ACTORS’ TABLE
theater
TATE 2.0
The Actors’ Table
of Eugene
serves up seconds
S
till on a performance high from its
success in June, The Actors’ Table
of Eugene (TATE) is back with
another installment of selected scenes and
monologues. Flying under the banner of
“Life’s Changes,” 22 Eugene actors will
perform 16 of their favorite pieces.
According to TATE producer Judith
McKenzie, “Selections this time range from
the Glass Menagerie to a piece from Lily
Tomlin’s writing … from farce to drama. One
woman is pushed over the edge trying to
buy a can of tuna, and [in another scene] a
dysfunctional family tries to cope with the
aftermath of a suicide.” Chris McVay directs
the overall production while David Mort,
Cameron Carlisle and Emily Hart all throw
in their directorial expertise for individual
scenes.
The Actors’ Table of Eugene was inspired
by the events at a back table in a Seattle-
area bar, where local actors would grab the
mic and read scenes and monologues they’d
always loved, much to the delight of the
beer-drinking patrons. TATE is an open web
of local theater artists that seeks to provide a
space for actors and directors to present their
favorite pieces as readers’ theater.
How was the fi rst event? “It was an
amazing success, standing room only,
and audience members were enthusiastic
and very appreciative. I was delighted!”
McKenzie says. “The success of our fi rst
event was what motivated Tsunami Books
and The Actors Table of Eugene to expand
performance offerings to two nights.”
McKenzie also reports “high enthusiasm”
from the Eugene theater community, and it
sounds like this is where theater folks are
going to go to 0see theater. In fact, there is
so much local buzz that TATE is already
planning the next performance. “The theme
for the next Actors’ Table, tentatively set
for mid-November, is ‘Faith,’ and we have
already received several proposals from
actors wishing to participate,” McKenzie
says. “We’re here to stay!”
ew
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The Actors’ Table Eugene performs “Changes” at
Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., Sept. 7-8 pm. FREE,
sug. don. $5.
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EUGENE WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 25