StageOneApprenticeship

Are you between the ages of 15 and 18? Interested in working with Company One Theatre as a Production Apprentice? Register here now through October 24th to receive an application and set up an interview!

Humans of Company One Theatre: Aila Peck

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Meet lovely BRAHMAN/I actress Aila Peck

When did you decide you wanted to be an actor?

Part of me believes I always wanted to be an actor, ever since my adolescent premiere as a Lost Boy in a production of Peter Pan when I was 6 years old. I think the more cognitive decision to jump into this career was performing with my high school acting company at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the 10th grade. I was surrounded by thousands of artists, celebrating their craft in the streets, churches, pubs, and restaurants of this tiny Scottish town at all hours of the day and night…and I thought to myself, this is how I wanted to spend my life: bringing people together through the magic of the theatre.

What was your most memorable role?

I believe Brahman/i is absolutely, hands-down, the most memorable, life changing and inspiring role I have worked on. My introduction to B was understudying the role in Chicago this past spring and, even then, I felt the role ingrained in my psyche as one of the most influential roles of my career. Words cannot express my excitement on hearing that I would be coming to Boston to actually do the show myself!

What challenges do you face playing Brahman/i?

Endurance!!! Seriously. This play is like a marathon for an actor. There are so many extreme moments that range the gamut of human experience, not to mention the accent work, the over 20 different impressions, and above all, the intricate dance between comedy and vulnerability that is required in order to establish an integrated relationship between B and the audience, who will never be the same twice. It is such a dynamic piece that demands the actor to step up to the energy of the show without stepping over the heart of the show. It is, hands down, the most difficult piece of theatre I have ever worked on, but ultimately, the most fulfilling.

What do you like or dislike about the character? How do you identify with Brahman/i?

I identify with B’s displacement, irreverence, volatility, sense of play, eccentricity…this list could go on, but I will stop while I am ahead. What I identify with in B is not nearly as important as what I admire about them. What I admire about B is their profound courage in the face of extreme life circumstances and cunning use of humor and intellect to illuminate their personal experience and, in hand, the world as a whole. B is a constant reminder of our integral human capacity for “radical acts of self creation.” In this way, B inspires me every day. I am honored to be able to breathe life into these words.

FAQ: THE DISPLACED HINDU GODS TRILOGY

← Back to THE DISPLACED HINDU GODS TRILOGY

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Aditi is a super talented writer, performer and director. Of Bulgarian and Indian descent, she was raised in Sweden, and resides in Minneapolis, MN. She has performed extensively in the Twin Cities and around the country, and her writing has been nationally produced to critical acclaim. Her play LOVE PERSON received the 2009 Stavis Playwriting Award. Her play, AGNES UNDER THE BIG TOP, A TALL TALE, was selected as a Distinguished New Play Development project by the NEA as administered by Arena Stage, and recently premiered at Mixed Blood Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, and Borderlands Theatre. Her latest work, THE DISPLACED HINDU GODS TRILOGY, consisting of the plays BRAHMAN/I, A ONE-HIJRA STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW, THE CHRONICLES OF KALKI, and SHIV, premiered in repertory at Mixed Blood Theatre in October 2013. Aditi is currently working on commissions from Yale Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and South Coast Repertory Theatre.

As with all Company One productions, there are many ways you can purchase tickets. To purchase tickets online, visit: http://www.bostontheatrescene.com/season/The-Displaced-Hindu-Gods-Trilogy.  You can call 617-933-8600 to purchase over the phone or you can purchase tickets in person at the Calderwood Pavilion Box Office, 527 Tremont Street, Boston. If you are interested in seeing the entire trilogy, make sure to check out our special Marathon Day deals when purchasing!

Three plays! Two theatres! It’s going to be great! THE DISPLACED HINDU GODS TRILOGY contains three individual plays based loosely around the Hindu trinity of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the protector, and Shiva the destroyer. THE CHRONICLES OF KALKI and SHIV both take place in the Plaza Theatre, while BRAHMAN/I: A ONE HIJRA STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW will be performed in the Black Box.  The two theatres share the same lobby, where you can find concessions, our lobby bookstore, and much more.  All three plays are performed separately, but if you want to settle in for a grand theatrical experience, join us on a marathon weekend day and see them all!  

The trilogy is made up of three plays, and each play counts as one show.  One ticket to each show is included with your Company Card.

There is! Join us on a Saturday or Sunday and buy a “marathon” ticket to see all three shows in one day at a discounted price.

You can see them in any order. Each part of the trilogy is an independent piece with its own story. That being said, there are a variety of Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the trilogy and we encourage you to see all three to join in on the fun.  

Unfortunately, we can’t make that decision for you. Every child has a different level of maturity, and every parent has a different set of boundaries for what their child is ready to experience. That being said, with regards to the 8-year-old: probably not. The 13-year-old is right on the bubble; it would take a very mature 13-year-old to handle the content. On the other hand, some of the characters in the play are almost that young. As for the 17-year-old: again, we can’t speak for everyone, but we’d be willing to bet that THE DISPLACED HINDU GODS doesn’t contain anything he or she hasn’t heard before, although perhaps not on stage. We’re aware that language on the stage has a different impact than it does on the playground. Each piece has a different tone and deals with different themes. You might find that one piece seems to be more appropriate for your child than another. Take a look at our show synopses here for a better understanding of each play.  
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C1 featured in two Boston Globe Articles!

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“In today’s theater, dramaturgs do anything from mundane script management to researching a play’s historical background, from suggesting changes in a play’s structure to arranging post-show discussions with the audience.” -The Boston Globe

 

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE:“Offstage, dramaturgs are playing a prominent role”

 

“Boston’s theater community has long talked about racial and ethnic diversity, particularly in regard to actors. But recently questions about women’s place in theater have moved back into the spotlight.

“Most people are like, ‘Eh, we’re doing OK on gender, we don’t need to pay attention to that.’ And in fact we’re not doing OK on gender,” said Ilana Brownstein, director of new works at Company One Theatre and founder of the grass-roots group Playwrights’ Commons.” – The Boston Globe

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE:“Spotlight shines on area theater’s diversity gap”