The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Cast Q&A

A few of the The Adventures of Tom Sawyer cast members sat down with us and answered a few questions about their characters and performing in this new and imaginative adaptation of the classic novel by Mark Twain. Enjoy.

Tim McKiernan - Tom Sawyer

What is it like to play such an iconic character like Tom Sawyer? Playing an iconic character always poses a challenge fro the onset of rehearsals.  Everyone knows Tom Sawyer and everyone has their own expectations of what that he should be.  In my experience, I try not to think about Tom as an iconic character at all.  Rather, I try to focus on what exactly Tom needs to do at whatever given part of the play we find ourselves in, and if I can do that honestly, than the character sort of takes care of itself in it’s own unique way.

How do you prepare for a role like this? My prep involves reading the book, of course, and then just taking a lot of time with the script.  Like i said earlier the process for me is more about understanding what the play requires at any given time and then transferring that to the stage.

You’re a young adult actor, but your viewpoint is that of a young boy. How do you bring that playfulness to the stage night after night? It’s my belief that bringing a sense of freshness to everything is really the key to playing Tom truthfully.  Everything for him is still a new experience whether that be falling in love or hunting for treasure.  Nothing to him is a joke or cynical.   It’s all real and it all has a weight and large level of commitment to it.  I think that if I keep that in mind - the show works out :).

What has been the reaction of audiences so far? Have you been surprised by anything? Audiences have loved it so far.  Everyone reacts differently from elementary schoolers, to seniors, everyone seems to find something to connect to in this production.

Why do you think audiences will love The Adventures of Tom Sawyer? This production is fun. We tell a story that lots of people are familiar with but we tell it in a fresh, modern way that still does justice to the source material and  keeps it interesting for children and adults alike.  I can promise you’ve never seen this story told like this.

Robbie Tann - Huckleberry Finn

What is it like to play such an iconic character like Huckleberry Finn? It is truly nothing short of a privilege to have the chance to play such an iconic character. Huck Finn is such a widely known and recognized character that it is rare to find people who don’t have a fully realized idea of who he is. And before we started this process I really didn’t know the story, so it has been incredible to be able to discover who I believe him to be by trying to live through his story night after night.

How did you prepare yourself for a role like this? I read the book a lot. We had a good four months before we started rehearsals. So I buried myself in the world of Tom Sawyer. I would read the book at home and listen to it on tape while I was riding the subway. Interestingly enough, we got cast at the end of spring and had an entire summer before we started rehearsals in the fall. The book actually follows the same time frame. End of spring through summer. So in many ways I really tried to live as a kid this summer as much as I could, trying to capture the essence of this book. Which is all about imagination, play, and unbridled enthusiasm and optimism. It was hard, being in NYC, to shake my cynicism but I really believe it helped me grow as a person as well.

You’re a young adult actor, but your viewpoint is that of a young boy. How do you bring that playfulness to the stage night after night? I think the biggest trick is remembering that this is supposed to be fun. Granted there is a lot of ‘business’ stuff that is involved in the career of acting, but I always try to take a moment before I hit the stage to remember those feelings I had when I was acting in high school. When there were no pressures or paychecks or reviewers and I was purely doing it because it was the only thing I truly wanted to be doing at that moment. It’s easy to forget that, but I think Tom Sawyer in particular forces us to go back to that time in our lives and just go out there and let it rip. And I think we’re all a little better for it.

What has been the reaction of audiences so far? Have you been surprised by anything? Audiences have generally LOVED this play. All ages seem to connect to it in a very visceral way. And I think that’s really because we’ve stayed true to the spirit that Twain was writing about.

Why do you think audiences will love The Adventures of Tom Sawyer? I think children will love this play because they will feel understood. A child can watch this play and see adults doing what they do, and feel like they are being communicated with on their level. Eye to eye. Not looking down. Adults will love this play because it is truly necessary to be reminded of that innocence and joy and wonder that we all at some point in our lives possessed. Because many of us have forgotten it. Childhood can often times feel like a distant, foggy memory even to those of us who are not too far away from it. Watching this play kind of reawakens those senses that may have seems for a long period of time to be dulled. I LOVE this play for that very reason and I think people will too.

Hayley Treider - Becky Thatcher

What is it like to play such an iconic character like Becky Thatcher? I feel so grateful for the opportunity to run around in her shoes each night. I think she’s such a great character. Jeremy (director) & I both agreed that while Becky was probably raised to be poised and polite, the daughter of a judge, she still has to have something inside her that is enticed by Thomas Sawyer. And I get to go on the journey each night of allowing that excitement, that boldness, and that fun to unfurl. By the end, Becky easily keeps up with Tom and I think, even teaches him a thing or two!

How did you prepare yourself for a role like this? I usually over prepare for every role I take on. But I knew the nature of this production was going to be very physical, with a lot of movement. So I didn’t want to have too many decisions made before I came to day one of rehearsals. I wanted to really be able to discover Becky through the action taking place with the other cast members, the director, and the choreographer. I did however read the play many, many times so I was clear of the story we were telling, both of Twain and the lovely adapting eyes of Laura Eason (playwright).

You’re a young adult actor, but your viewpoint is that of a young girl. How do you bring that playfulness to the stage night after night? First of all, lots of rest! This production takes a great deal of energy. We’re running around both on and back stage to bring you these very full lives of children realized in a very physical way. One thing our director Jeremy Cohen was really clear about, was never wanting us to feel like we had to play the age of our characters. If we come each night to play, to experience each relationship and discovery as if it’s the very first time - then the story will take care of the age. I just keep coming back to the fact that Becky’s never experienced any of these things before! And how exciting, and scary, and thrilling that can be to a girl! Whether it’s the first time being alone with a boy, or the first time being truly lost and afraid for your life - it has to be new and immediate every night.

What has been the reaction of audiences so far? Have you been surprised by anything?The audiences here in St. Louis have been so warm and inviting. We’re in Twain country! It’s lovely performing for audiences who have a real love and ownership of the material and the author. I think they’ve been very accepting of the adaptation thus far, and as a cast, we’ve been very encouraged! I think the show has really grown and taken a huge step forward as we move along on our four city production.

Why do you think audiences will love The Adventures of Tom Sawyer? I think it’s a play that really speaks to the child in each of us. It’s a great show for any age. Now, we don’t shy away from any of the realities of childhood - scary things are really scary. Joyful things are truly joyous. Because we want the audience to know we’re always going to be honest with them - we’re never going to play down to them - this is a story of the adventures of Tom Sawyer! So come on this adventure with us! It forces both the actors and audience to let go of any cynicism or jadedness towards our lives, and remember what it was like to truly face the world with open eyes and hearts.

Michael Nichols - Injun Joe

What is it like to play such an iconic character like Injun Joe? It is an interesting challenge. As an actor I like to think of my characters as my own. Fortunately, Injun Joe wasn’t an iconic character to me personally. So, with the help of our director we built him from the ground up, almost. Some things like movement, dance and fight choreography came directly from the show’s inaugural production in Hartford. We also had the novel as the springboard from which to launch this play but, our Injun Joe is slightly different than the novel’s in order to fit the needs of the production. The actor then must fit his character into the production and the director’s vision of how the story will be told. The latter being a constant with every play. Through the Talkbacks with the audience I have learned much about this Iconic character, at least people’s perceptions and recollections of what he came to mean. I know that he was based on a real person but, he is a fictional character. However, fictional characters in literature often times seem to take on real-life personas that people identify with. And Joe strikes a chord with many people. It is a privilege to portray him on the The Rep’s stage. I continue to search for truth in my performance and hope to fill all expectations of the character.

How did you prepare yourself for a role like this? Well, one starts with the script and in this case has the novel for reference. I try to understand and empathize with the character’s text and actions. Although I am different from him, I look for similarities, no matter how small, and cultivate them into stronger connections. For instance, I’ve never been ‘horsewhipped’ but, like most human beings I have suffered humiliation. I take what I know about my experiences and magnify them in a way that gives me a window through which I begin to understand what the character might be feeling. It was important to me that Joe wasn’t just evil for the sake of it, but that he wanted vengeance for wrongs or perceived wrongs done to him, so that his actions come from a place of pain. Ideally this would give the character added layers and/or texture that rounds him out and makes him more believable as a human being.

How do you bring the scariness of Injun Joe to the stage night after night? My hope is to bring the same intensity and focus to the stage each performance. If I can believe what I am saying and doing as the character, the words and actions will do the work for me. Another very important element is the generosity of the other actors onstage and how they endow the character of Injun Joe with ‘scariness’. That kind of contribution to the play makes the story telling easier and I think, more clear.

What has been the reaction of audiences so far? Have you been surprised by anything? The audience response has been wonderful. The opportunity to perform this show in St. Louis is a real treat. Perhaps a little surprising was the knowledge and appreciation with which these audiences have received our play.

Why do you think audiences will love The Adventures of Tom Sawyer? I know they will love it. I know it because one of my characters has some narration in the beginning, middle and the end of the play and I use that opportunity to check in with our audience, visually. Without exception at each performance I have gazed upon a sea of bright and shiny smiling faces waiting for what was coming next. In addition, many patrons have approached me outside the theatre after having recognized me from the play. They are grateful, we have gone back to a simpler time together and are reminded of the good things in life.

Hurry! Show closes December 23. Click here to learn more about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer!

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