Imagine having to memorize hundreds of lines, cues, and movements along with learning a new style of theater.
If you can do that, then you have just found yourself in the same shoes as Sandy Lawler, a 19-year-old theater major who played the lead role in DCCC theater’s production of Bertolt Brecht’s “The Good Woman of Setzuan,” directed by Stephen Smith, assistant professor of drama and communications.
The story centers on Shen Te, played by Lawler, who, upon taking three gods into her home, receives a small business as a reward, but because of Shen Te’s good nature, the business struggles.
The role became a unique challenge for Lawler because Shen Te develops an alter ego, Mr. Shui Ta, who is Shen Te’s complete opposite. Shui Ta does the things that Shen Te won’t to keep the business in good shape, regardless of whom they may hurt.
Lawler noted that playing the dual role wasn’t very difficult for most of the rehearsals because she would usually perform only one role each day. However, it became more of a challenge once it came time to run through the show and she had to switch back and forth between Shen Te and Shui Ta.
But before reaching that stage, there was a long process for Lawler and the rest of the cast.
It all started with auditions. Two monologues were taken from the play, one for women and one for men.
“Stephen told us to be larger than life [in our auditions],” Lawler said.
But Lawler seemed to miss the point. Consequently, she said, her first read of the monologue was not what Smith was looking for.
However, as is often the case, she was asked to read it several different ways, giving her a chance to redeem herself, Lawler said, and land the part.
“I was really happy when I got the part,” Lawler said.
Although overjoyed with getting the part, Lawler now faced memorizing hundreds of lines and developing the characters of Shen Te and Shui Ta in just a little more than four weeks before opening night.
Lawler spent one to two hours a night memorizing lines.
Her memorization method included reading through the play several times, followed by running lines with someone, usually her mother or sister.
On set, the props presented something of a challenge because they were carefully positioned on the stage, and the actors had to remember where each one was.
Sandy Lawler [right] as Shen Te in “The Good Woman of Setzuan,” alongside fellow cast members Geoff Quinn and Mario Canavarro. (Photo by Stephan Smith) The actors also had to wear masks. For Lawler, this was both a help and a hindrance, she said, because she had to use different masks for when she appeared as Shen Te or Shui Ta. While the Shen Te mask was comfortable and impeded her voice minimally, the Shui Ta mask was a different story.
The Shui Ta mask clamped down on her face, muffling her voice. However, with a simple adjustment to the nose of the mask, the muffled sound actually worked in Lawler’s favor by creating a more distinct voice for the character.
But the mask presented another challenge. “Because you [wear] a mask and people can’t see your facial expressions, you have to use your body and voice more,” Lawler said.
Despite feeling nervous in the days and moments leading up to the week of performances, Lawler said she felt right at home and nothing but excitement once the curtain was drawn.
Although she felt very relieved and relaxed once the show was over, nothing seemed to beat the feeling of performing. “You feed off of people’s energy,” Lawler said.
Now with “The Good Woman of Setzuan” behind her, Lawler has turned her attention to the future.
While her ultimate goals include auditioning for TV and theater, she’s taking the whole process one step at a time. “I really enjoy acting,” said Lawler. “My focus right now is just improving my skill.”
