Catching Up wtih Paul Jones

Paul Jones is the former instructor of theatre arts at the College of the Sequoias and a teacher of some of the local areas more prolific talents.  Now retired from teaching, he and his wife Karen relocated to southern Oregon to take advantage of the rich theatre community there. 

Here are Paul's responses to MY TEN QUESTIONS (thanks to the guys at The Next Stage and Theatre is Territory for the inspiration for such bloggerviews). 

1. What's happening in your theatrical world?

    That world is very full and busy. Closed an incredible production of Jeffrey Hatcher's play "Sockdology" at Camelot Theatre (www.CamelotTheatre.org) in Talent in early March. If you don't know the play it's about what happens to Laura Keenes' acting company following Lincoln's assassination. It's part fact and fiction and the acting involved three different styles and we played real people. One of the best and most rewarding productions and casts I've ever worked with . I played Thomas C. Gourley. Because of plans Karen and I have for this summer I reluctantly turned down roles in "Promises, Promises" and "Lend Me A Tenor".

     I played the role of Fire Chief Beatty in a production of "Fahreinheit 451" in 2006 at Camelot (had a ball) and now the Jackson County Library system is holding their annual 'Jackson County Reads' program. One of the novels they will be reading and discussing will be "451" and I have been asked to read sections from the play. In the play, Bradbury pulled most of Beattys' 'lectures' into a 25 - 30 minute monologue/dialogue split into two scenes at the end of Act 1. I'm doing two readings at two branches of the library followed by other speakers, Q&A and discussion. Since it will be a reading I don't have to rememorize it. I'm also involved in original play readings at Oregon Stage Works in Ashland for the first time.


2. Seen any good work lately?

    Is the Pope Catholic? In the lower Rogue Valley area there are: two fully professional, Equity, theatres - Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Oregon Cabaret Theatre; two semi-pro theatres - Camelot Theatre Co. (yes we all get paid) and Oregon Stage Works; as well as community theatres with the Ashland Community Theatre and the Barnstormers Theatre in Grants Pass; Southern Oregon University Theatre Arts and every High School has a theatre program; and the Craterian/Ginger Rodgers Theatre in Medford books in a variety of theatre, music, dance touring productions. I admit that since retiring I do not attend much educational theatre except an occasional production at SOU (they did an incredible "Urinetown"). The Festival opened their 2008 season in Feb. and Karen and I have only seen "Fences" and "Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter", both surperb, so far. The Festival is the first of many reasons why we moved here. Both Karen and I volunteer as ushers and/or ticket takers for OSF in the Elizabethan Theatre in the summer earning hours toward comps for all the shows the following season. This will be our fourth summer. In that capacity I've seen quite a few people from Ashland.


3.  How would you describe the present condition of the Ashland theatre scene?

    Very healthy and growing in the whole area! Camelot Theatre, my new theatre home, is presently in the planning stage for a new facility.  We have to move as Talent is redeveloping it's small down town and will be cutting Main St. right through the present theatre. So we have to get out of the way by 2010. Due to my extensive theatre and design background I am involved in that process. The excitement I feel about this is the same as when I first arrived in Visalia and the COS Theatre had just started construction. Glorious chills up the spine!


4.  What advice do local theatres (our area or yours, either way) need to hear?

    It's the same advice I have always given - DO GREAT THEATRE CONSISTENTLY. Never settle for good. Also, know your audience, but incorporate productions in the season that will bring in new patrons and challenge both the theatre and the audiences. Lastly, RISK! Theatre is not safe. If you want something safe, take up skydiving. Jones axiom #1: "A ship in the harbour is safe. But that is not what ships are built for". The same for theatre and all the arts.


5.  What quality in other artists/designers do you most dislike when you see it?

    Ego centered selfishness. By that I mean someone who puts themselves above others and think they are better than their fellows or the work or the playwright. These people are dictatorial, mean spirited and small. Run away!

6.  What qualities do you look for in other artists/designers?

    Discipline. Sharing. Honesty. Giving. Receptive. Openness. Eagerness. Teamwork. Humility. Respect for others and the work. Intensity. Gentleness. Humor. Laughter. Excitement. Rejoice in the work and those who you work with. Celebrate success as a 'company achievement'. Generosity. Accept responsibility. Positiveness. Consistency.  Two power words: "I'm sorry". Believe that "My word is my bond". The work (production) is more important than the individual. Love!


7.  What are your top three theatre reads?

    Well, you got me on that one. I am reading "1984" the novel in preparation for the play. Also reading a present from friends: "Acting Wales, Stars of Stage and Screen". Brief bios of Welsh actors. I am Welsh you know. Since retiring I've not read many books on theatre other than scripts or novels the play is from or biographies of people. In prep. for playing Ben Franklin in "1776" I read Walter Isaacson's "Benjamin Franklin, An American Life" and David McCollough's "John Adams". Both great.


8.  What has been your biggest challenge in transplanting to Ashland?

    Actually we live in Phoenix. Don't get confused, we are the "other" Phoenix located seven miles north of Ashland and four miles south of Medford. A perfect location as we are about ten minutes drive from any place we want to be. The blasted move itself was the greatest trauma! Getting rid of a ton of stuff and packing the rest after twenty-seven years in Visalia. What a headache. Went through a few bottles of Scotch I can tell you. Also, we bought our house in July of 2004 but the owners were building a home and it was not ready until Nov. So they became our renters.  We rented a small place in Ashland and with nothing to do had time to finally relax, rest, explore Ashland, get together with old friends here and make new ones. Then we had to move AGAIN!


9. Your biggest reward or success?

    1. My wife, Karen and our thirty six wonderful years together.  2. The great students I had the honor and joy to teach, work with and become friends with! You know who you are.

                   
10.  What's coming up for you?

    Next will be "1984" playing O'Brien. I do love playing heavies. The Artistic Director, Livia Genise, wanted me in "Brigadoon" at Christmas but it follows "1984". We only have one space for production which run Thurs. through Sun.(four weeks for plays and five for musicals) and rehearsals on Sat. afternoon, Sun. through Wed. nights. So when "1984" opens we start immediate rehearsals for Bridge-of-Doom. No nights off. I told her that two acting roles in a row is against my retired religion. I did direct "The Dresser" and then did the Governor/Innkeeper role in "Man of La Mancha" because once a show opens the director is the most useless thing in the theatre (Jones Axiom #32) and I don't have to be at performances. We do have a Directors Night in which the cast stays on stage after with the director and engages the audience in a Q&A. and closing night (matinee) of course.

    No directing this year as Livia wanted me for my acting more than directing. And then I turned her down on three shows. But she and I are quite close and we have our heart to heart lunches to talk about everything including directing and acting. So it's time for one.  This lady is really amazing!