CheekyChicago

Like our pizza and our architecture, we are a town hailed for our theatre. And while we have many gifted Chicago born-and-bred actors, every once in a while we are graced with the talent of a New York transplant. Having worked on and off-Broadway, across the country at critically acclaimed black box theatres and on Shakespearean outdoor prosceniums, Brandon Dirden is truly an actor’s actor. I had the pleasure of sharing a stage with him a few years ago and I will be the first to say; there really aren’t many actors out there like him. First and foremost: he’s insanely talented. Just don’t ask him to admit that because he won’t. You won’t find a more humble and gracious artist around. And do not be dismayed by his Texan chivalry or his soft spoken voice – he really is actually that nice. Unlike some, Brandon is in it for the work, not for the accolades and that’s what we love most about him. He’s in town starring in the Goodman’s upcoming production of Magnolia, opening March 14^th. Read on to not only find out what else we love, but why we really are so lucky to watch, know, cheer and learn from an actor like him.

Cheeky: Describe the life of the New York actor?

BD: I think it’s different for everyone. The tremendous thing about New York is that no one’s experience is the same. But what all New York actors have in common is that question about survival: How do I keep my sanity while trying to make the rent, pay my bills, wait for the phone to ring, take jobs I hate, until I can do what I really love? It’s a crazy feeling of knowing what you want to do with your life, what wakes you up in the morning and not really being able to do that. But in New York, I can do something for my career every single day. Big or small, even if it’s just passing out postcards, taking a class or seeing a play. It’s extremely important to immerse yourself into other people’s work, watch theatre and see what it can teach you about your own. Even seeing terrible theatre is valuable. It keeps you sharp. There are endless opportunities there – New York is unique in that way. I used to live in Atlanta and it wasn’t a theatre town. I had to scramble to find things to get me excited if I wasn’t working on the show. But being in this big city, you do have to remember to be careful. The business is seductive and people will take advantage of you. You just have to work hard every day and hope that those big opportunities come your way. I definitely sometimes feel like a needle in a haystack. [Dirden is one of the lucky few who works full-time as an actor.]

Cheeky: How are you enjoying your time in Chicago, working for a new theatre company?

BD: The Goodman Theatre is arguably one of the best theatre companies in the country. I heard so many amazing things about this company and from day one, it was confirmed. I’ve worked at many theatres around the country and there is something about the people of Chicago. They are just so nice. They go out of their way for you. And it’s not just at the theatre. It’s at the Walgreens and the Jewel. People are just helpful. New York people are so fast-paced, they don’t have time to go out of their way.

I also really love the theatre here. So far I’ve seen The Seafearer at Steppenwolf – it was incredible to watch John Mahoney on stage. I saw Morning Becomes Electra – an avante garde Dutch company called Toneelgroep Amersterdam put it up at the Goodman for a few days within a Eugene O’Neill Festival. And Desire Under the Elms. I like that the Goodman respects their audience’s intelligence. People know they can see challenging theatre here, regardless if you are going to love it. At least it will stimulate you.

Cheeky: We are a foodie town. Any favorite Chicago restaurants so far?

BD: I had a very good friend take me to Graham Elliot a few weeks ago – it was so good, so playful, just a real treat. And Petterino’s is fantastic. I guess my guilty pleasure is Garrett’s Popcorn around the corner from the Goodman. Anna Shapiro created a rule that if your cell phone goes off, you have to bring a treat for the whole cast. Well, Anna’s cell phone went off the very first day of rehearsal. So the next day she brought this caramel gooey popcorn in. I’m addicted.

Cheeky: What have been some of the biggest accomplishments in your career?

BD: The show I did right before this one in Manhattan was probably the highlight of my whole career. It was called First Breeze of Summer (picture below), with the Signature Theatre, directed by Tony Award-winning actor Ruben Santiago Hudson. I got to work with my real life brother and my real life wife and we played those roles, respectively. We were a cast of 14 and we really all came together as a family and we created something very special with that show. Each year, the Signature Theatre dedicates their entire season to a playwright. This year, they did something incredibly close to my heart. They dedicated this season to the Negro Ensemble Theatre – a company in New York City that was a pioneer for the black artistic community, which nurtured the careers of leading African American actors such Felicia Rashad, Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson and Morgan Freeman. I grew up learning about this company and I actually wrote my high school term paper on them. They still exist, but they don’t do much producing anymore. I not only got to work on a show saluting this great company, but I got to meet and work with the leaders of it. To have been a part of that legacy, I feel like I’m really living my dream.

Cheeky: Tell us about Magnolia and why you feel people should see it?

BD: It’s a brand new work, inspired by Chekhov’s Cherry Orchard, written by Regina Taylor. It’s rooted so firmly in the American landscape and opens up a conversation about segregation in Atlanta in 1963. In the play, two groups come together and are forced to have a conversation about race, change and acceptance. It’s about taking ownership of our past. The beauty of the play is that it’s not just a history lesson or a “shame on America” for the terrible institution of slavery. It delves into how connected we really are. And it’s not clean cut, it’s messy. In the South, people had to co-exist regardless of the rules society placed on them. This play takes a look at when these customs are stripped away and asks: Are we ready for it?

I think it’s incredibly timely considering what happened with this last election. America is finally starting to talk about race in a different way. We are finally having a different kind of conversation about it now. It’s incredibly positive and empowering, but this play brings to light a part of the journey it took to get here.

Cheeky: What’s it like working with Tony Award-winning director Anna Shapiro?

BD: It’s a blessing. She is so incredibly gifted. One thing that’s so unique about her; she’s incredibly brilliant, but she also has such a great sense of humor. I’ve worked with directors who are too smart for their own good and can’t laugh at themselves. She’s a real person and I don’t think any amount of success she’s had or will continue to have will change that. She’s about the collaboration. She will consider all ideas and insights and is incredibly generous. But she’s very confident in the story she’s trying to tell. What I love most is that she respects everyone in the room. The actors, the stage managers, the set designers, everyone. And sometimes that can get lost in a big time theatre. When you are the boss, you can lose that sense of commonality. She makes sure that that’s in the forefront of the room every day. And it’s empowering as an actor knowing that my ideas matter. She’s interested in helping us all be the greatest actors we can be. She’s a dream to work with.

Cheeky: What does the word “cheeky” mean to you?

BD: (Laughs) What it means to me – it’s about being bold, daring and self-assured. Anna Shapiro is cheeky. Cheeky women are inspiring to be around.

Cheeky: Anything you want to leave with our readers?

BD: The theatre community in this city is simply amazing. And I’m not talking about the people who work on the stage or behind it. I am talking about the people who come to watch it. I just want to thank everyone who supports live theatre. When I’ve gone to see shows here, I pay attention to those people in the audience. There’s an ownership people have about the theatre. There’s a sense of “We all belong here, this is our home, this is for us.” You feel that when you walk through the lobby. I think that’s the best thing about Chicago. I hope that never dies. It’s an honor to be here.

It’s an honor to have him. Magnolia opens March 14^th at the Goodman Theatre and runs until April 19^th. Tickets are on sale now at www.goodmantheatre.org.

From The First Breeze of Summer