Over fifty ferociously imaginative emerging artists are working together to bring our world premiere of Folk Wandering roaring into reality. Throughout the run of the show (until March 25!), we’ll be sharing interviews with each of these artists. These conversations will bring you inside this show’s very unique process of creation, and bring you a bit closer to this brilliant and wild group of emerging artists. Today, we are pleased to bring you a spotlight on DeMone, who plays the dual roles of Rat and Alberto.
Read the full interview below and get your tickets to performances February 23 – March 25 today!
Pipeline Theatre Company: What first attracted you to Folk Wandering?
DeMone: I was really most attracted to the musicality of the show. I loved that there were a number of composers on the project, but the play doesn’t feel schizophrenic musically. I appreciated how cohesive the music is. I also REALLY love how the play sneaks up on you emotionally. It really does catch you off guard. It’s beautiful, funny, and heart breaking.
PTC: What made you want to work on this project?
D: The creative team are just wonderful human beings. There is such joy in the room. This joy was palpable in every moment of the audition process. I couldn’t wait to have the chance to play.
PTC: What aspect of the Folk Wandering story do you most relate to?
D: I’m in a space in my life where releasing things and people has been a wonderful and yet painful necessity. The need to release is what I most connect to.
PTC: Tell us about your character in Folk Wandering.
D: It’s funny to me because I think both Rat and Alberto are the joy and fun of the show. Alberto is raising and leading his family through a difficult time in our country’s history, he is raising a family on a factory worker’s salary (which is not very much. It’s very little! ) but he does so with such love, laughter, and joy. Laughter permeates the house even in tense moments. Rat, a regular at a local watering hole in Sweetser, Indiana is a trickster and loud mouth curmudgeon. On the surface he is gruff, but he loves his bar and the bartender, “Barkeep Immaculate”. Love and Laughter are the best way to describe my characters.
PTC: If you were to write a tagline for Folk Wandering, what would it be?
D: A playful heart rending frolic through time.
PTC: What big dreams have you been chasing recently (or would you like to chase)?
D: Creating a safe space for children to explore, play and thrive through the arts.
PTC: Two truths and a lie, go:
D: I ran for public office in Chicago. I have a doctoral degree. I’m almost finished with flight school.
Folk Wandering is just opened and is running through March 25. Tickets are now available to all performances. Get your tickets today!
