Authentic and Original - The Acting Ensemble

By Cynthia Connell Davis

Mishawaka, IN

The Acting Ensemble is a volunteer-run labor of love. Except for special grant-funded projects, all the work from acting and rehearsals, to janitorial work, to building of sets, to repairs to the building, to the administrative work of the board is carried out by volunteers. All the work is done with extraordinary talent and unsurpassed commitment.

District Merchants left to right: Darrin Sims, Cat Kristoff, Jacquetta Page, Julia Nurenberg, Lisa Blodgett, Hugh Page, and Michah BryanLeft to right back row: Bill Becker, DB Smith, Philip Schatz, and Leigh Taylor

“We can’t fake anything,” says Melissa Gard, President of the Board of Directors.

Melissa and I are sitting at a table at the theatre (602 E. Mishawaka Avenue, Mishawaka, IN). The building is a renovated warehouse. I am surprised that the group owns its own building. I recall how the great American playwright Arthur Miller explained the demise of theatre in the early 20th century, following the time when live theatre was in its glory. “[The cost of] real estate,” he said. For a period while Miller was working, much serious live theatre experienced homelessness, figuratively speaking. So, I am impressed that the group, which features serious art rather than light entertainment, owns its own building. The Main Stage seats about 25 – 35 audience members; the large room at the front seats at least 35 for StageWorks reader’s theatre. Both are intimate spaces, and this is why the theatre group can’t fake anything. Inauthenticity would be recognized immediately.

The organization has a history of ups and downs. In 1982, Jim Giesel got together a group of 15 people who wanted to do theatre. Because each person had to do all the jobs necessary to produce plays, they called themselves “The Acting Ensemble.” Today only a few of the original members are still part of the group. Michael Miles, for instance, who now lives in Florida, recently retired from designing for the Miami Opera. An original member, Melissa carries on, holding down the fort, along with many actors, directors, and producers who are newer to the group.

The Originalist left to right: Gary Oesch, Brian Loring, Kyrrah White OR

Melissa says, “Back then [in the 1980’s] we had dark nights. Those were nights when the theatre was dark. Folks from all walks of life hung out together and spent those nights together, just as they worked together on nights with productions.” They produced plays at the Colfax Cultural Center. It was a cultural mixing of people; i.e., an artistic and political community.

1992 began a hiatus. Then in 2010, Jim called Melissa regarding an opportunity for summer repertory at St. Mary’s College. After that, the group produced works at Century Center. In 2012, they were producing plays at the old Robertson’s store, downtown South Bend, in the former men’s department. But they were outgrowing that venue and began looking for another space. In 2019 they bought the abandoned warehouse on Mishawaka Ave. They replaced every system -- plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning.

The group offers three types of presentations, plus other projects, many of which are created by Poets and Playwrights. Each year on the Main Stage they regularly schedule six full length plays. Recently they produced District Merchants based on Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. Each year StageWorks offers twelve pieces of reader’s theatre.

A Picasso: Shannon O'Riordan, Bill Svelmoe

They recently produced a new translation of Ibsen’s Ghosts. And “12 X 10,” which offers twelve short performance art forms of 10 minutes each are rehearsed and presented on the main stage (example below). The “12 X 10” productions are part of Poets and Playwrights. In addition, there is a “TalkBack,” which is an after-each-show session when the audience and cast have the opportunity to discuss any aspect of the experience.

Producing original plays by local writers is the unique project of The Acting Ensemble.

They rightfully take pride in the quality of their theatre work and the outstanding plays created by local writers. Poets and Playwrights meet at the theatre monthly to support their work and draw encouragement from each other. For instance, from August 22—25, the “12 X 10” project put on 10 original scenes (8 live plus 1 on film and 1 partly on film), written and directed by KC Matthews, and 2 poetic Spoken Word Pieces by Shevlin Hughley.

According to the high standard of artistic integrity maintained by the group, these works presented themes that concern the human soul. Racism, xenophobia, and injustice caused by abuse of power were acted. The search for personal identity was expressed. The mysteries of love, death, and the afterlife were explored. All this and more played out before our eyes in two hours. Unexpectedly, bizarre human behavior showed up! In fact, the scenes, “Shhh…” and “Jessica,” had me wondering whether mind-boggling human behaviors and their impact on others have become humanity’s most serious challenges.

At the end of our conversation,Melissa summed up what is truly important: “It’s always the story.”

“Yes,” I said, “I believe that a story is a home we humans build for our souls.”

And vice versa – the theatre on Mishawaka Avenue is a home The Acting Ensemble has built for the human story.

Next on the Main Stage will be Lauren Gunderson's The Half-Life of Marie Curie from December 6 to 15, 2024. Visit actingensemble.com or call (574) 217-8873 for more information about other plays and projects, including the special project “Michiana Songs and Stories,” a fund-raiser for improvements to the performance space, to be presented on November 2, 2024.

Photography by William Heimann courtesy of the Acting Ensemble