LATHAM, N.Y. — The theater is a place where dreams are created. It can also be a place where dreams are filled.
For proof, just ask Brittany L. Glenn who is playing the lead role in the suspense-mystery, “Wait Until Dark,” which runs at Curtain Call Theatre in Latham, until March 30.
In a recent telephone interview Glenn expressed the thrill af playing the iconic blind woman who outsmarts a trio of men out to harm her. Most people relate to the Susy Hendrix character through the 1967 film that starred Audrey Hepburn, which was faithfully adapted from the 1966 stage hit.
However, for Glenn, she will always be connected to the work by the 2001production by New York State Theatre Institute offered at Russell Sage College in Troy. She says, she saw the show on a 6th grade field trip and was spellbound. “That was the show that made me want to act. I left that show saying ‘I have to be on stage.’”
That dream started to come true when she entered college. Rather than take a dreaded public speaking course, she opted for Introduction to Acting, which rekindled the dreams of a 12-year-old. With the encouragement of her professor, she started performing at school. Upon her return to this area after graduation in 2012 she’s be constantly active in community theater.
One of her credits is “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Curtain Call Theatre. She remembers that production fondly and was impressed by the professional standards of the company.
When she saw the audition call for “Wait Until Dark”, she knew it was a sign that the stars were in alignment. Indeed, her casting led to another one of those “I can’t believe this is happening” moments. This production is directed by Steve Fletcher, who invited, David Bunce, a friend and another regular Curtain Call director, to watch a rehearsal.
Glenn described her feelings when Bunce complimented her performance with admiring comments. “It was such a cool, validating moment,” she says. She went on to explain that Bunce was the actor who played Roat in the NYSTI performance. “ Here was the actor who was like an idol, praising my performance. It was surreal,” she said.
Roat is the leader of the trio of gangsters who terrorizes the blind Suzie thinking she has in her possession a doll filled with heroin. At Curtain Call, the role is being played by another long-time community theater veteran, JJ Beuchner. Glenn describes him as the “sweetest person ever – off stage.”
She then offers him an acting compliment, saying, “The minute he comes on the set in character he creeps me out and I tense right up.” Laughing, she adds, “I mean that in a good way.”
Glenn has high praise for the entire cast and the support they offer knowing how easy it would be for a sighted actor to lose character. She says, that she is confident with her portrayal and blocking, but knows that any errors will be immediately remedied by the other actors. “They’ve got my back,” she says, adding that this is especially important in a play in which there are physical fights.
Remarkably, she says performing as sightless was not as difficult as she anticipated. She explained that she has an ability to take her eyes out of focus for extended periods of time which makes her vision blurry. “The best thing is that I can play her without the staring approach so many people use. The last thing I want to do is offer a portrayal of a sightless person that could offend anyone.”
Indeed, the sensitivity of playing a person lacking sight has brought enlightenment into her life. Glenn says that not only has she come to be acutely aware of the problems of daily life that are acerbated by lack of sight, but she has also discovered some positives.
“First of all I appreciate the gift of being able to see when I open my eyes. Also, closing my eyes becomes more meaningful. In the mornings I sit with my eyes closed and become aware of the sounds around me. You are usually aware of a bird’s chirp, but now I realize how many different bird songs I can distinguish. It’s like discovering I world I’ve ignored.” She adds enhancements of smell and touch that have also been positive.
As for the work itself, she is exceedingly proud of the production. “We are so ready,” she says. “This will be a great show.”
“Wait Until Dark” plays at Curtain Call Theater at 1 Jeanne Jugan Lane in Latham through March 30. For tickets and schedule go to curtaincalltheatre.com
