Exclusive Interview with Ghostlight Director Thomas Gallogly!

By Danielle Wirsansky on October 25, 2016

The School of Theatre’s first show of the Fall 2016 Act II season opens this week!

“For just over forty years, the School of Theatre has offered a vibrant and successful main stage season for the general public, which serves as a laboratory for our students. Our new Act II season will push our students beyond the rigors of a traditional canon to explore the experimental, cutting edge, and truly difficult. The choice of material will be more challenging either in its content, structure, or perhaps in its staging. In Act II, we will push the envelope and grow to the next level of professional theatre training.”

This first show is GHOSTLIGHT by David Alford and will take place October 27 – 29, 8:00pm, in the Studio Theatre in the Williams Building.

“Described as ‘part mystery, part ghost story, part love story, and total philosophical discourse’, Ghostlight tells the story of an abandoned theatre and the mysteries left inside. Two actors wait patiently for the arrival of the director, but questions and tension begins to take control of their evening. The director’s arrival only raises the stakes as these artists are faced with the forgotten consequences of their actions.”

Read this interview with Director Thomas Gallogly to learn ore about the show and the creative process it took to get this show on it’s feet!

(Left To Right: Justin Gault, Karina Willis, and Ryan Friedman star in Ghostlight)

When and where does your show take place?

TG: It takes place in an old abandoned theatre. Actively acknowledging the space by using the booth and light fixtures, etc. the script could easily be described as an environmental piece that happens to take place in a theatre (Practically: October 27, 28, 29 at the Studio Theatre in the Williams Building at 8 PM).

How much does it cost?

TG: $5 General Admission.

How long have you been involved in theatre? And why are you passionate about it?

I’ve loved theatre since as long as I can remember. I have fond memories of watching old movie-musicals at my Abuela’s house when I was as only 4. It’s only grown and as a director, I love being able to interpret stories and characters and translate them to an audience and, if only for a few hours, change them and transport their mindset to another world and state of being. It’s so rewarding.

Is this an original piece of art?

TG: This show was written by David Alford who plays a main role on the TV show Nashville and is also a theatre educator educator across the country! It’s unpublished and it was a crazy set of wonderful events that lead to the script being in my hand. My sophomore year of high school I visited my sister at Martin Methodist College in Tennessee and their Theatre Department was doing this show that weekend! David Alford was working there at the time and teaching theatre! I attended! I loved it! Fast forward 4 1/2 years later I was a sophomore at FSU and I remembered how much I loved this script and I wanted to get it in my hands and put my own take on it because I loved it so much! I went online and found David Alford’s contact info via the Martin Methodist College website. Stepping out on a limb, it was a huge shock to me when he responded and was going to let me direct his brilliant script!

How are you changing the performance of this piece from when you originally saw it all those years ago? How are you making this run yours?

TG: I think this piece changes for every space it’s in because every theatre is so unique! And one of the wonderful challenges and most enjoyable parts of this show was thinking of ways we could satisfy the script to this specific space from certain doors to the lighting set up to the seating chart. And this piece will, in many ways, always play out differently depending on the space it’s in because it’s so dependent on the environment. And it allows me to truly make this production unique and me to put some of my own stamps on it!

What kind of theatre is it? How would you define it? Would you define it?

TG: This could be defined as environmental theatre that takes place in real time and actively acknowledges the theatre space. My main goal with this production and that the script tries to achieve is to allow the audience to basically feel as though for 90 minutes, they are a fly on the wall at a rehearsal.

What has the process of working on the show been like?

TG: It’s been a wonderful and crazy process! This entire team from cast to crew to designers immediately had a wonderful vibe and connective energy that has only grown stronger! I’ve loved this process so much!

Is there an issue at large that the piece addresses?

TG: Without giving too much away, in directing the show I’ve been creating an underlying message of legacy. Specifically in regards to theatre. Because, as theatre artists (or in any career path really), when all is said and done, have we done our job effectively and have we done what we set out to do in earth? Was it worth it? If we had the the chance to stay long past our time was done, would we change anything? And honestly I kind of leave this question open ended for the audience to answer for themselves!

Why is this issue important?

TG: I believe so! In whatever career path we choose, we spend our whole lives working and working and working at what we love! And when all is said and done we tend to always ask ourselves, “Was all of this worth it? Could I have done more?”

(Justin Gault and Karina Willis Star in Ghostlight)

Yes or no, what experiences commonly unite the cast?

TG: I think this piece is truly united by the fact that the cast are actors playing actors! Their is something very interesting and honest about their performances because so much of the text is so relatable to theatre artists as a whole.

What personally inspired you to create this piece?

TG: It’s so good!

Where does the title come from?

TG: Come see and find out! ????

What do you want audiences to take away from the piece?

TG: I want them to ponder the idea as legacy. And, for non theatre audience members, maybe learn a little bit about the other side of theatre that isn’t commonly seen!

Is this performance appropriate for all viewers? Are there any age restrictions or trigger warnings that you would apply to it?

TG: This show does contain strong language, adult content, and paranormal activity suggested for ages 16+

Do you have any future plans or goals?

TG: No specific plans as of currently. However, I do plan on pursuing more directing opportunities here at FSU through the School of Theatre. And in the long, pursuing directing as a career.

Why do you think theatre is an effective medium for transporting people? And why is transporting people to different mindsets important or a good thing?

TG: Theatre is so unique, it’s present, it’s lively and it’s so real. There’s something so breath-taking and wonderful about watching an actual person in front of you performing and telling a story. It’s so personal. And, in the midst of a crazy world, 90 minutes of experiencing something secluded, different, and new is so important. It’s such an honor that in the midst of an election season with high tensions and much confusion, I get to direct a show and bring people to a new world that gets their minds off of things and allows them to see other lives and other stories.

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