Last seen creating merry mischief as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Magic Mirror in Snow White and the Prince, Nic Fenger is no stranger to the Pensacola Little Theatre stage.
Nic Fenger as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 2020
Over the last several years, Nic has performed with Pensacola Little Theatre, Arrant Knavery, and other local projects; some favorites include Fleance in Macbeth, Ralph Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! The Musical, and part of the cartoon magic in Schoolhouse Rock LIVE!.
While he feels right at home on our stage, Nic is one of the PLT volunteers that also loves helping backstage. Having previously served as a Student Director, Nic is thrilled to be serving as Assistant Director for our upcoming production of Mindgame.
We sat down with him to get some insight on why he loves this side of theatre and volunteering with PLT.
Why did you want to work on this production, and how did you get involved?
Assistant directing is not a common opportunity, especially for those as young as I am. Although I have 6 years of acting experience under my belt, assistant directing provides a significant opportunity to grow one’s theatrical prowess, providing one with more experience on seeing an artistic vision through, using leadership skills, experimenting with different ideas, and working with different personalities and perspectives. I wanted to acquire more of this experience; thus, when I was offered this role, I could not say no! However, I cannot stress enough how wonderful the cast and crew are to work with, as well as the sheer brilliance and complexity of Mindgame as a play.
Nic Fenger going over the Mindgame script at rehearsal
I was fortunate enough to have many experiences at PLT that afforded me the benefit of building relationships with several people, one of those being Billy Buff. I was elated and grateful when he reached out to me with the opportunity of assistant directing.
How do you prep for rehearsals?
My normal routine is to examine things that I did well and things that I fell short on during the previous rehearsal. I focus on improving in the areas I fell short on whilst on while keeping my good qualities uniform. For example, one night, I knew I was providing good feedback and suggestions, but I wasn’t keeping up with the script as well as I could be, which was crucial to begin doing for the actors. I also like to examine the act or acts we would be working on that day in advance, as well as reminding myself of important tasks that needed completion that day.
What is one thing you've learned through this production process?
I have learned a lot more of what the directorial process requires in theatre- initiative, dedication, creativity, time management, and critical thinking. Assistant directing involves complementing or supplementing these directorial duties, but also learning how to contribute to overall artistic design meaningfully without stepping out of line or being overbearing. For both directing and assistant directing, some days are harder than others, but one shouldn’t be discouraged if things don’t go according to plan. You have to trust your abilities as an artist, trust in the process, and trust that the people surrounding you have your back.
Lighting Designer Choh Man Teng, Stage Manager Eric Michaels, and Assistant Director Nic Fenger observe Mindgame Rehearsal
Why is volunteering at PLT important to you?
Volunteering anywhere builds personal integrity, work ethic, collaborative proficiency, personal creativity, and even intellect. PLT provides all of this, but it also is crucial to building community and inspiring, connecting with, and empathizing with people. I enjoy and find purpose in lifting people up when they’re down. I believe it’s imperative to make people think and propose different perspectives. I enjoy making a connection with somebody through a character I play. Fostering those interpersonal bonds, even at the most basic level, is imperative to brightening a dark world, promoting freedom of expression, encouraging different ways of thinking, and uniting the divided. I find my passions in being a driving force for that kind of change, and PLT is a wonderful outlet for doing so. Plus, this theatre has given me so much- a bearable adolescence, a second home, a social life, and a means of expression. I intend to give back to this place just as it gave so much to me.
Come see the hard work and dedication Nic and the rest of the cast and crew have put into Mindgame, a puzzle box of a play!
Mindgame is a dazzling thriller and a jet-black comedy that twists its way toward a shocking conclusion. When Mark Styler, a writer of glossy ‘true crime' paperbacks, tries to get an interview with Easterman, a notorious serial killer, he has no idea what he’s walking into. See it January 26-February 4 in the M.C. Blanchard Courtroom theatre at PLT.
