Neil Simon showcase reflection

In just ten days a Neil Simon Showcase was explored, rehearsed and performed at the University of Pretoria’s Drama Department. Yellow Bakkie productions in association with the United States Embassy produced their first stage production using mostly second year UP Drama students. This daunting task was tackled and directed by Andres Peyrot and Elizabeth Wautlet, who were flown into South Africa from Paris for this workshop.

It was an unforgettably incredible experience. The Ambassador of Panama, Rodrigo Chiari and one of our fellow students Wayne Smith, decided to make this showcase happen from the organisation to the auditions. They gave us this opportunity to develop our acting skills by exploring and showcasing the comedic plays of one of the greatest living playwrights, Neil Simon. Peyrot and Wautlet arrived and approached the workshop from method acting techniques drawing on practices of theatre practitioners like Stanislavski and Adler. Much dedication and discipline was needed to pull off the performance and with directors like Peyrot and Wautlet, we could not help but be excited to commit to every moment of the rehearsal and learning process.

As actors we were taken on a journey of learning to connect more freely with our emotions, allowing for trust and vulnerability with fellow actors and exploring different elements of the characters we were to portray. It was wonderful to dissect a script so rich and relatable and to connect with the character’s we depicted. They encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones and in the process we found different aspects of ourselves as performers. We have all grown so much as actors because of this workshop and showcase. Thank you to all those who made this happen. In the words of Corrie Bratter (Barefoot in the Park), “We’re the luckiest people in the world!”