By Yana K.
The Family Foundation School will be presenting Barefoot in the Park, a Neil Simon play which is being directed by Sid Parham. The play is of a romantic, dramatic, and comedic nature, which is the perfect blend of genres to get students pumped about playing their roles. Most of the actors/actresses have had some experience of drama outside of The Family Foundation School, so finding themselves becoming attached to their characters has been somewhat experienced before. However, something about the roles in this play makes the actors more attached than ever.
Corie Bratter, the wife of Paul Bratter (they’ve been married six days), is played by Kristin R. Kristin talks of her experience with her character, “Right when we got our scripts and we began practicing, I instantly found a connection with Corie. She has many problems with her husband and doesn’t know how to make him happy. She’s trying to figure out who she wants to be in life, because she’s still young [20 years old]. I relate with Corey because I’m trying to ‘find my footing’ in the world and on a journey to find out what I will do in my future.” Kristin’s favorite part in the show is when Corie and Paul are lost in young love and are romantic with each other. Acting in plays and musicals has been a big part of her life, but when she began doing drugs, she stopped completely. “It’s so good to be doing what I love again. I’m grateful that the school gave me that chance.”
Sam M. plays the role of Paul Bratter, the husband of Corie. Sam said that he is the more responsible half in the relationship. “Corie is a complete party girl who just wants to have fun in the relationship. Instead of showing any regard for her husband’s job, she would rather have sex and drink alcohol.” Sam M. admits that Paul’s sort of rejection and belittlement has been a part of his own past. “Sometimes people don’t have the same values as you do, and it gets frustrating and hurtful.”
Sid Parham chose the play because it speaks to issues of selfishness and unselfishness in relationships. “I think the insight of the play would be of high value to our students.” Even though Sid plays a small part in the play, surprisingly that part is not his favorite. “My favorite part of the play is the discussion that happens between Corie and her mother in the third act. They have to deal with each other as human beings as well as mother and daughter. It’s touching to me because I’ve had to do this same thing with my two children. With the exception of being a mother, of course.”
These are only the experience of three of the actors in Barefoot in the Park. There are more characters, and they can be viewed in real life on the 11th or 12th of March.
