Artist Profile by Lizzie Schwarz

I began my work with Unwrap Your Candy about 3 months before I ever received the script. I was told it was a "funny Halloween show", complete with scary stories and goofy characters. All throughout the summer of 2006 I dreamed of angry pumpkins, candy gone bad, ghosts in stained sheets, Thriller zombies, etc.

I was way off.

I received the script in August. Though it was still stifling outside, I quickly jumped at the chance to get a sneak preview of the show that would bring a fall chill to my world. The script made me laugh and gave me goosebumps, but it never mentioned any aspect of trick-or-treating. Instead it took me on a thrilling ride through the evil possibilities of stage parents, the menacing power and charm of a serial killer, and the ludicrous idea of a talking fetus. An obscene talking fetus.

I had been given the parts of a hypo-glycemic theatre-goer and an obsessed genetic engineer. I diligently began my research on the insanity that is a by-product of having low blood sugar. The challenge was to not take it too far and get hysterical, which, as we all know, can make the average audience member cringe. Thus I used rehearsal time to be as crazy as possible and see what I could come up with, and then reeled it all in once I had some ideas. It's always fun for me to take on these roles, as I get to act on some of the crazy whims going through my head, but it's occasionally a real challenge for me to bring it back to reality and keep it organic. Christine, our director, pushed us for truth in our comedy and it worked.

As a cast, we went through some tough times, being a part of one of the first Phare Play shows. However, a lot of people stepped up to the plate and, working together, we all pulled off a great show. We may not have gotten to dress up like ghosts, but I do believe we managed to chill a few spines, and had a great time doing it.