Debuting Artist: Jaya Schane

Please tell us a bit about your background and how you got into theatre!

I have been a performer at heart my whole life! Although I started singing and dancing since I could walk and talk, I started dance training at the age of 4 and training in singing around the age of 7. Theater came naturally as it combined my love of dance, music, and acting into one. I have a major in Musical Theatre, a minor in Music, and a minor in criminal investigation. I’ve been in various theater productions and dance shows throughout Longmont and in college in Tampa, FL.

How did you first hear about OpenStage, and what drew you to work with us for this show?

I moved back home to Colorado last year after moving to Los Angeles and just started researching different theater companies throughout Colorado. I actually barely got my audition in on time because I discovered the casting call about 2 hours before it was due! Thanks to my (favorite) professor in college who taught Shakespeare, I pulled out one of my monologues and auditioned. Openstage looked like a unique theater company, and I was particularly excited about the outdoor theater concept, as not many theater companies do that.

What is your role in this show, and what excited you most about working on this particular production?

I play Bardolph and Simple. I was most excited to lean into the comedic aspect of my characters. Comedy is something that comes naturally to me but much of the comedy from the characters I play is physical. I was excited to play around with the physical aspect of my characters due to the challenge of a high energy performance and comedic timing.

What has been the most enjoyable or unexpected part of the rehearsal process so far?

For me, the organization and ease with which this show has been put together has been nothing short of a breath of fresh air. Our whole crew behind the scenes came to our first meeting with everything laid out in the most organized and detailed way. Not only did it make me more excited to start, but it made the rehearsal process so easy!

Why do you think this show is relevant to audiences now and should be performed today?

I find The Merry Wives of Windsor speaks to the power of women and not underestimating them. What’s unique about this piece of Shakespeare is that it flips the typical gender roles and really puts the ladies in the driver’s seat, something that is not as common in other works of Shakespeare, and frankly still something that society struggles with doing today. Not only is it an enjoyable show that should continue to be performed, but it holds important lessons about society and gender roles. 

If you could swap roles with any other character in this play for a day, who would it be and why?

It would be really fun to be one of the merry wives. Not only are they powerful characters but they have so many fun and silly scenes. Their characters have a lot of depth and sass which would be really empowering and fun to play.

Why do you think this show is relevant to audiences now and should be performed today?

The consistent element throughout the show is the lack of or miscommunication between characters. This is a common aspect of comedic plays, and that is something we still see in today’s sitcoms, romcoms, and our daily lives. The jokes and language may be older but these are familiar character and relationship dynamics. It’s interesting to think about why some of those dynamics have persisted today, and in what ways they may be damaging or uplifting in our own lives.

What is your favorite play and/or musical, and why?

Some of my favorite shows are Back To The Future, Stranger Things: The Last Shadow, and Harry Potter and The Cursed Child. All three of these shows have exceptional tech elements that are astounding to watch. I can’t wrap my mind around how they do certain technical elements in these shows. I felt as though I was watching a movie with the amount of technical magic on stage!!

What is your favorite role you’ve played in the past? Why was that role special to you?

Two roles I loved playing that are both dear to me are Brigitte in The Sound of Music and Little Red in Into the Woods. Both characters had so much sass and were very outspoken. It was empowering to play characters that have no fear in saying whatever is on their mind and sticking by their morals. Both characters are strong and independent and have so much confidence in themselves.