Cynthia
Seay
To be or not to be...
An interview by Edward C. Truax.
The following interview is the first in an occasional
series of articles presented with the intent of
highlighting the existing arts in our greater Harrisburg
area. MODE is, as our cover states, a business
and entertainment forum. Beyond fulfilling this mandate
by simply listing rudimentary notices of the events and
upcoming activities which saturate (potentially) the free
time of our citizens, we feel compelled to further
compliment the work-product of those businesses and civic
sojourners who have given of their bounty, not only
financially, but in a much more meaningful way... the
energy of their spirited charity. They have reason to be
proud. This is why we will be profiling, on an irregular
basis, artists both new and established, who call our
town their home.
Before I turn the sum and substance of this interview
over to Ms. Seay, who in a spunky kind of way prefers to
be called an actor, as opposed to an
ac-"tress", let me share an American fable,
which as an artist myself, I remember during my times of
better conduct. It reads as follows:
There was a new couple who had just moved to town.
Concerned about the kind of community they had chosen to
dwell in, they asked their real estate agent about what
to expect. To which he replied, "Go to the town park
and look for the old wise man. You will find him either
napping or reading a book on a park bench; ask him that
question." After rushing to the park and locating
the old wise man, they asked about the nature of the
town. He responded with the request that they first tell
him about the town they had just left. "Oh it was
grand. Everyone was kind and worked together. We will
miss them so." Having heard this, the wise man said,
"Be at peace, the people are the same here."
Later that week, the real estate agent was confronted
with the same question from a couple who also had just
settled in and were likewise concerned with the customs
and qualities of the town. The agent repeated his
instructions on finding the wise man. When they did,
they, too, were asked to describe the town which they had
last called home. The second couple started right in...
"Oh it was terrible. Everyone was so mean. Nobody
worked together. We’re happy we left them."
After pausing for a moment to make sure they had stopped
speaking, the old wise man said, "Be warned, the
people are the same here."
MODE: What lacks in a life that is void
of live theater?
SEAY: Well, from a historical
point, theater was the first form of entertainment.
People came together for a story they wanted to hear and
see, to be told a story. It has grown into reflections of
what life is, and what it can be. When people don’t
incorporate theater, they’re missing another facet
of life. Working for so long in the arts, it’s easy
for me to forget what it means to be an audience
member...how what you’re doing on stage comes across
— those amazing things in a space as big as an opera
house, or as small and intimate as a studio theater, such
as the Open Stage in Harrisburg. I’d say that it
really nourishes you, in the sense that it captures your
imagination and much more. Sometimes it is right in your
face; the effect is immediate. Some get turned off by it,
but others love it; they relish it, feel edified. There
is an element of looking into a room or, for that matter,
you could be walking into limbo. It’s abstract.
Theater is about immediately being part of that world,
allowing yourself to be captured. You can’t push
pause; you can’t hit rewind. You are there; you are
captured, taken into another world; that of the
directors, the actors, the world of the playwright.
MODE: An aspect of eavesdropping on
drama?
SEAY: Perfect. That’s
exactly what actors want. We are playing out intense
life...and you get to be a fly on the wall!
(Cynthia’s answer gives way to disarming laughter.)
MODE: Why the Harrisburg theater
community, in general, and Open Stage, in particular?
SEAY: From my perspective (this
is my first professional gig since I came home to be with
my family), I honestly was planning on starting out in
Baltimore. Harrisburg is interesting in that, as a young
person establishing art in this area, you can create a
real interesting persona and find recognition in all
walks of life, all generations. So you can understand the
appeal of doing theater in such a place. You can bridge
gaps or what have you. As far as Open Stage, in
particular... I came across an interesting ad for Open
Stage, a comedy. I visited, viewed the space, and thought
it was very intimate and I like that kind of feel. While
I did not know what would be expected of me, I did know
that I wanted to try comedy again. It really turned out
to be a great place.
MODE: As a new arrival, any observations
on our cultural scene?
SEAY: Harrisburg is intriguing
in the sense that it is deeply steeped in tradition.
People are inspired and yet, can still relate to a sense
of the new, that which is about to come in the arts. I am
beginning to see that, while we will never lose what is
traditionally important to this area, culturally,
Harrisburg is opening doors to new expressions, new ways
of approaching art. Mainstream is good, but people can
get off the beaten path and enjoy themselves. It can be
both productive and fulfilling.
MODE: Off stage, any advantages in
acting you can share with us?
SEAY: Oh, so many. Being able
to articulate ideas is, in itself, being able to come
across as intelligent. Whether it be in a job interview
or during a presentation of any kind, nobody wants to
listen to someone who is monotone and boring. You need to
have a spark of life within you. If I’m feeling off
or just not up to a meeting, I remember people like to
see people who are enthusiastic.
MODE: Cynthia, using the following words
or phrases as metaphors, apply them to life...that grand
stage.
MODE: "Character."
SEAY: Nobody can or should be
anything other than what they are. So you have to start
there. So understand that when you need to fit into a
role, whether it be with your job or in a relationship
with a significant other, you can’t interact with
another until you know your own character.
MODE: "Spotlights."
SEAY: It doesn’t have to
be on a stage, obviously. It is whenever you have to
deliver, when the moment is yours, when you either
deliver or fail. Everyday life is full of moments of
spotlight. Some big, some small.
MODE: "Final curtain."
SEAY: They can be a great gift,
if you feel your job’s been well done. Yet, they can
be bitter/sweet as well, if you feel, when all is said
and done, when the time comes to move on, when it is
over, you are dissatisfied. So always remember that
someday the curtain will fall. Be proud of the part that
you’ve played.
Cynthia Seay: A Brief
Biography
Cynthia has successfully performed the duties of actor,
director, writer, stage manager, costume construction
manager, customer, and all aspects of prop preparation .
A graduate of Towson State University, in Towson, MD, she
holds a B.S. Degree as a Theater Arts Major. She also
attended Harrisburg Area Community College as a Theater
Arts Major, and Roanoke College in Salem, VA as the same.
Her performing career includes: At Roanoke College: The
Ballroom Lady in Fashion, and Lucy in Dracula. At HACC
Theatreworks the Costumier for The Elephant Man, and
Columbina/Blue Fairy in Pinnocchio. At Towson State
University, she played Cindy in Fefu and Her Friends,
Angustias in House of Bernarda Alba, Guildenstern in
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, and she Directed
Death and the Maiden, as well as being assistant Stage
Manager for Iago’s Plot.
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