The last director we had the privilege of speaking to in our Directors Assemble! series, is Abigial H.! She’s directing The Edge of Noir by Gary Peterson and has been with Encore Stage & Studio for five years! Last year, you may have seen Abigail direct A Murdered Mystery by Karl Garner in our first ever Student Directed One-Act Plays! Keep reading to learn more about what Abigail has to say about making her return to the director’s chair!
Hi Abigail! Last year you student directed with our first annual Student Directed One-Act Plays. Can you tell us what you’re looking forwrad to about returning and what your goals are with this one-act play?
I’m super excited to be able direct again with Encore! I chose to direct again to further explore the production process behind the scenes. I’m most looking forward to getting to know and work with my cast! My goals are to create a welcoming space for my actors to grow and have fun with the show we’re doing!
Photo courtesy Emma Crawford.
What show will you be directing?
My show is called the “Edge of Noir”, and its a classic mystery show with an unexpected twist. I chose it because I liked how it was a mystery with a more modern twist, and I hope audiences can uncover the mystery along with us.
Photo courtesy Cindy Kane Photography.
How long have you been with Encore?
I have been with Encore since 2021.
What is your favorite aspect of theatre?
My favorite aspect of theatre is probably acting, I’ve been in so many shows with Encore and at school over the years, but one of my proudest moments was getting to perform at the National Theatre two years in a row for the Brandon Victor Dixon Awards.
Photo courtesy Cindy Kane Photography.
Who is a director that has influenced your directing style?
My theatre teacher at W&L, Danny Issa, he has been able to create such a welcoming environment, and I really want to emulate that throughout our rehearsal process.
What are you most excited for audiences to see at Student Directed One-Act Plays?
All of our amazing actors!
Photo courtesy Emma Crawford.
Since you have multiple years of directing experience now, what is advice that you have to future student directors at Encore Stage & Studio?
Remember to take a step back and enjoy everything, it really does go by faster than you think.
Thank you Abigail for sharing stories of your directing process for Student Directed One-Act Plays! If you want to catch The Edge of Noir and the other directors shows (Post Its (Notes on a Marriage), The Knave of Hearts, Jackie and the Potato Stalk, Spy School, and Excuse Me you can buy tickets Student Directed One-Act Plays, running this weekend only, (April 17-19) at Theatre On the Run.
That concludes our Directors Assemble! series! Thanks for tuning in and we hope to see you at the theatre!
Thank you Abigail for taking the time to share
Abigail H. is a senior at Washington-Liberty High School and couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up her time at Encore. You may have seen her in many shows over the years, either backstage, onstage, or now directing! She’s been in shows like Annie as Lily St. Regis, Treasure Island as a talking parrot, The Sound of Music as a nun, and (her favorite) in Finding Nemo as Dory! She was a part of the student-directed one-acts program last year, and she’s thrilled to be back with the Edge of Noir! She’s headed to Eckerd College next year to study Marine Science and International Relations, but will always keep performing, and her time spent, skills learned, and friends at Encore Stage and Studio close to her heart.