Four Questions with Director M. Bevin O’Gara

We asked Turn of the Screw Director M. Bevin O’Gara about working with Simple Machine and her favorite ghost stories.

What drew you to this project?

Well basically Anna and Stephen. They’re both fun and talented. Who wouldn’t want to be in a rehearsal room with those two crazy kids! Also I love ghost stories and SCREW is one of the ultimate ghost stories of all time.

What is the biggest challenge for you of working in spaces like the Gibson and Taylor House that aren’t normally used for theatre performances?

Well it’s more of a challenge to think about the play in two very different places. We will basically be blocking the show twice. The focus of rehearsal is going to be about distance/proximity of characters more then it will be about “move to the chaise on this line”. This way there is a similar structure to the show in both locations for the actors to rely on and still allow for us to maximize the benefits of both of the locations.

What are you most excited about this process?

Working with Anna and Stephen…isn’t that enough? But I said that already. I’ve never actually done a site specific work quite like this, so that’s exciting, especially to do it at two different sites. And the potential to see a ghost at the Gibson house…that would be cool…I hope.

What’s your favorite ghost story and/or have you ever had a personal ghost story?

Call me a traditionalist but I’ve always loved Sleepy Hollow. I remember watching the Disney cartoon of it dozens of times as a kid. I remember reading all the Bruce Coville ghosts stories as a kid, those are pretty great if you’re a 13 year old girl.