The Museum of F*ckboys is a series of short plays by Justin Karcher that zooms in on the struggle to understand masculinity and growing out of old habits. Through the exploration of Mike's relationships, we see the importance holding onto our childhoods while maintaining healthy relationships.
WHEN BLIZZARD BABIES TURN TO STONE
Michael Burke, Madeline Allard
WHEN THE SKELETONS IN OUR CLOSETS CHOKE ON CANDY CORN
Michael Burke, Madison Sedlor
WHO'S AFRAID OF DONALD TRUMP?
Michael Burke, Amanda Vink
Michael Burke, Madeline Allard
WHEN THE SKELETONS IN OUR CLOSETS CHOKE ON CANDY CORN
Michael Burke, Madison Sedlor
WHO'S AFRAID OF DONALD TRUMP?
Michael Burke, Amanda Vink
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
Madeline E. Allard: At first, the title was very intriguing. It's nice to put that title on your resume. However, in all seriousness, I cannot stress how much I love working with our director, Leyla. I've worked with her in the past and she is one of those directors you want to be on retainer with. Leyla and I have similar ways of communicating, so it's easy for me to take notes from her. She asks the questions that make the themes more present and the character come alive. Not only is she a great director, she's a great person to have as a friend. She will drop everything at the moment to sit and talk. What sort of person is going to love this show? Madeline E. Allard: Anyone who has a love for poetry/a good narrative and Millennials who were raised to believe we need to hide our emotions but know it's a lie. |
How is your character like you? Different?
Madeline E. Allard: Nicole is definitely like me in the sense that she doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. She is strong in her right and knows how to obtain what she covets. What I admire about her most, though, is that she is completely human. She carries her own trauma and even though she reaches her breaking point at times, she still rises like a phoenix.
Who do you look up to (as an actor/director/writer/other)?
Madeline E. Allard: As a director, I look up to Kathryn Bigelow. As an actor, I adore Hilary Swank, Frances McDormond, and Viola Davis. As far as my overall role models, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Nicks, and Rachel Hollis have inspired me in regards to my personal health.
Madeline E. Allard: Nicole is definitely like me in the sense that she doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. She is strong in her right and knows how to obtain what she covets. What I admire about her most, though, is that she is completely human. She carries her own trauma and even though she reaches her breaking point at times, she still rises like a phoenix.
Who do you look up to (as an actor/director/writer/other)?
Madeline E. Allard: As a director, I look up to Kathryn Bigelow. As an actor, I adore Hilary Swank, Frances McDormond, and Viola Davis. As far as my overall role models, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Nicks, and Rachel Hollis have inspired me in regards to my personal health.
What sort of person is going to love your character?
Amanda Vink: The person who will love Liz is also the person who is fed up with the way society treats people. Liz is at the end of her rope here, and she’s not dealing with any more bullsh*t. If you could play any other character in this show, who would it be? Amanda Vink: Nicole (played by Madeline Allard), but I’ve always been a bit of a sucker of Medusa and mythology. What makes a good scene partner? Amanda Vink: A good scene partner knows the material well enough that they aren’t afraid to let it go, trust their own reactions, and live in the moment. Besides this one, what’s your favorite stage show and why? Amanda Vink: I love David Hare’s Skylight for its beautiful language and because it’s an interesting study of two people who strongly love and hate one another simultaneously. |
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
Madison Sedlor: The script is great. Justin has a way of writing characters and dialog in a poetic way that will pull all sorts of feelings out of an audience. My scene has a lot of comedic moments to it, but it also deals with real issues like growing up and what it means to let go of the past. If you could play any other character in this show, who would it be? Madison Sedlor: I would love to play either of the parts, but I think Nicole would be a super interesting one for me. Especially if Michael and I played opposite of each other. We're such good friends and I think we could find an interesting dynamic between the two of us. We're also both Pieces so all that emotion has the potential to be explosive on stage. |
How is your character like you? Different?
Madison Sedlor: There is a lot about Sam that I can relate to, especially playing next to Michael Burke. We really have been such close friends for so long that we have natural chemistry. There are a lot of moments throughout the script where I ask him "haven't we had this conversation before?" I think Sam is a good friend who is genuinely trying to help her best friend get over this nostalgic roadblock he keeps hitting. She's also a bit of a light-weight which... is also me :)
I definitely differ from Sam too. I am a very sentimental person and look back super fondly on my college years. I think I can sometimes get into Mike's head-space of "I want to relive the best years of my life", maybe not to the same extent... You'll never find me in the backyard burring candy corn that's for sure.
What’s the biggest challenge about taking on your role?
Madison Sedlor: I've seen it done before (by the marvelous Sarah Henderson). I think one of my biggest challenges is going to be making the role my own while still keeping the integrity of the character. I think there are a lot of fun directions to go with Sam I just need to figure out which one is best for me!
This character was also originally written for a man. There haven't been too many script changes either so think another challenge will be to find the femininity within the piece without overcompensating.
Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue?
Madison Sedlor: "And watch you crash and burn? What kind of friend would I be?"
Besides this one, what’s your favorite stage show and why?
Madison Sedlor: I was in Almost, Maine a while back and that was one of my all-time favorite performances. I loved playing different characters and finding their personalities within the text. I've also been in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat a couple of times and that show is just a blast to do.
Who do you look up to (as an actor/director/writer/other)?
Madison Sedlor: I will always have a spot in my heart for my high school's creative team that worked with me from my Sophomore through Senior year (Shout out to Sarah Combs, Nancy Auffarth, and Cindi Parisi!) They gave me the confidence and tools to pursue acting after high school and have helped shaped me to be the performer I am today! I also have a deep admiration for Ted Sharon and the other theatre professors I had the pleasure to learn from in Fredonia. They helped me hone my craft in ways that would not have been possible had I sought out classes elsewhere.
What do you do when you’re not doing theatre?
Madison Sedlor: What is free time? I work my survival job, I write, and I play tabletop RPGs as well as run my Bachelor Fantasy League.
Come See The Museum of F*ckboys March 20th - March 21st
Tickets on sale now!
Tickets on sale now!