RSSQ&A with Jerry Ditter, Colorado Mesa University theater department
Jerry Ditter is the founder of Smoke and Mirrors Theatre Company, which will give three performances of “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 21-22. Ditter also is the theater technical director at Colorado Mesa University.
By MELINDA MAWDSLEY
Colorado Mesa University Technical Director Jerry Ditter wasted no time getting involved in the Grand Junction theater community.
He moved to the area only several months ago and already has started the Smoke and Mirrors Theatre Company, which makes its debut this month with several performances of “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol.”
Ditter, 39, moved to Colorado from Kansas and earlier lived in the Omaha, Neb., area, where he operated similar types of theater companies.
He wants Smoke and Mirrors to be different from what theater-goers in this area have come to expect from performances at the university or other outlets.
He will model it after reader’s theater, which, Ditter explained, enables actors to use vocal expression to tell the story instead of relying on sets, costumes or blocking.
In a recent interview, Ditter talked about his vision for Smoke and Mirrors, what its debut performance will look like and how he’s settling into western Colorado.
Melinda Mawdsley: Why start Smoke and Mirrors Theatre Company?
Jerry Ditter: I felt like I needed to fulfill some of my own artistic sensibilities. What it offers me is an opportunity to direct, more than anything. As the technical director (at CMU), I’m on the back-end of shows and not always able to utilize my master’s degree in directing.
Mawdsley: What are those “artistic sensibilities?”
Ditter: The type of theater I like to do is more imaginative. I like more reader’s theater where less is more. It’s not the full-fledged costume and makeup. It’s more about the actors communicating with the audience.
Mawdsley: Could you explain more about what reader’s theater is and why you prefer it?
Ditter: For one, it’s cheaper. It’s easier to produce. It’s easier for the actor because they are focusing completely on the spoken word and characterization behind it. It’s cheaper from the technical aspects because you are not building a set or lighting designs.
Mawdsley: So what will the first show look like?
Ditter: The piece we are attempting to do is all told in narrative, but at times, the actors break out of narrative. They are all in black. They want everything to be created in the minds of the audience. ...It’s hard to explain. They will do blocking, but there is nothing there. They are walking through space and describing to you what they see, what they do.
Mawdsley: I’m confused.
Ditter: Good. I want people to be confused about what they are going to experience ... When we first did this show a year ago (at his former home in Kansas), it took the audience a good five minutes to get into it. But once they did, they were really into it. It’s an old tradition. It’s more like forensics or what they teach in speech classes, like humorous or dramatic interpretation.
Mawdsley: Well, it sounds like you’ve settled into your new home in western Colorado with the start of a new theater company. How have your first few months here been?
Ditter: It’s been great. It’s been a learning experience.
Mawdsley: Favorite thing so far?
Ditter: The weather is great. I absolutely love that in Kansas right now they are frozen and there’s 2 feet of snow already. Here, there is nothing. I much enjoy the weather here.
One last thing on the upcoming shows ... I will leave you with this, there are a few surprises.
COMMENTS
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.