Practice Makes Perfect at Philadelphia Artists’ Collective

What does it take to prepare for a stage production? In just four short weeks, the Philadelphia Artists’ Collective puts on a production of “He Who Gets Slapped,” an adaptation of the 1924 silent film of the same name. In addition to acting, the entire cast doubles as the show’s orchestra. A production decision most recently utilized on Broadway by  Scottish director  John Doyle, each actor plays an instrument when they are not acting onstage. If that workload sounds too light, the show’s circus theme requires the actors to perform acrobatics. Director Damon Bonetti discusses the rehearsal process for a show with so many different elements. Ross Beschler, who plays the titular “HE,” talks about what sets preparation for this show apart from others he’s worked on.

For access to the video, contact Jon Ginsburg at jonathan.ginsburg@temple.edu.