Highness, an original two-character stage collaboration created by, written by and starring Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva and Lila Toshiko wraps its brief weekend run with a final performance at 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 29 at Belmont’s Black Box Theatre. This latest offering in Actors Bridge Ensemble’s continuing summer series, She Said/She Said: Summer of Women’s Stories examines women in a hierarchal society. Prior to Highness’ debut, Toshiko and Whitcomb-Oliva most recently shared the stage in a production of the gender-flipping Men On Boats. Having known Whitcomb-Oliva for several years and being a huge admirer of her work on stage, I was anxious to chat with both creative forces to get the inside scoop on Highness for my latest edition of Rapid Fire 20 Q, which, incidentally marks the debut of my recurring interview feature for the new JHPEntertainment site.
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RAPID FIRE 20 Q with HIGHNESS CREATORS AND STARS, JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA and LILA TOSHIKO
JHP: Was Actors Bridge Ensemble’s April production of Men On Boats your first time working together?
LILA TOSHIKO: Actually, Jennifer and I first worked together in the Actors Bridge Performance of Haunted. Men On Boats was our second show together.
JHP: Tell me about working with Lila and continuing the journey with this piece?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: We are kind of like siblings ourselves. We both love working together, and having the chance to play strong women on stage is always appreciated. Having just played explorers in Men On Boats, the opportunity to keep the theme of women alive, was a plus!
JHP: What about sharing the stage in the past lead you to collaborate on Highness?
LILA TOSHIKO: Jennifer and I would always chat about pieces we were working on individually and when Vali Forrister of Actors Bridge asked us if we wanted to write a piece together we saw it as a perfect time to try a collaboration.
JHP: How did collaborating with Lila Toshiko on this project come into being?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: We were approached after performing in Actors Bridge Ensemble’s production Men On Boats. We enjoy working together so much, that we jumped at the opportunity to play together again.
JHP: What is Highness about?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: Highness is re-imagined fairytale about the stigmas that women face in a hierarchal society.
JHP: I understand the two of you play Cinderella’s step-sisters. Who plays Whom?
LILA TOSHIKO: Jennifer Plays Jo, I play Lucy.
JHP: What can you tell me about the characters in Highness?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: They are the stepsisters from the classic Cinderella fairytale. Lucinda, the youngest more eager stepsister. Josephine, the eldest, and more mature stepsister.
JP: They’re typically portrayed as wicked. Is that the case in Highness?
LILA TOSHIKO: I don’t ever think any character is necessarily wicked. It’s always their backstory that has gotten them to this place and time and I definitely think that’s the case for Jo (Jennifer) and Lucy (Lila). They do what they must do to survive.
JHP: How long did it take for you two to go from concept to finished play?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: I wouldn’t even call this finished. LOL. But it took us about 6 weeks to get it all together.
JHP: Earlier this week, a behind the scenes glimpse of the two of you in hair and makeup was shared to social media. From the powdered wigs and overly exaggerated clown-white makeup, it would appear the Baroque period was inspiration for the play’s setting. Is there anything else behind the extreme hair/makeup choices?
LILA TOSHIKO: From a character point of view our makeup and hair basically work as a “Baroque Snapchat filter”. It hides the imperfections of our characters. From an actor point of view…..Jennifer and I just love to play dress up!
JHP: How excited are you to be part of the She Said/She Said series?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: Extremely excited. This is the first time that I have ever had a chance, to put on a professional writer’s hat. It’s so exciting to try something new, and do something out of the box.
LILA TOSHIKO: It’s super exciting and scary all at the same time! Having your piece shown in front of a live audience is absolutely terrifying but we have been so blessed to have such great support from all the amazing ladies in this series!
JHP: Why do you think it’s a good fit for this grouping of plays?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: It’s a story of women, told by women, and written by women. Shows different aspects and sides of the very things that we deal with on a day to basis.
JHP: What about exploring the stigmas of women in a hierarchal society appealed to you as a playwright?
LILA TOSHIKO: I think what appealed most to me was how not much has changed. A lot of the expectations of women still remain today.
JHP: Does the Black Box’s space lend itself Well to your vision for Highness?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: Yes. This is a wonderful space. So much so, with this new script and left over set, we weren’t sure what to do with it. But I love the Belmont Black Box and it’s always nice to play here.
JHP: What were the challenges of writing a two-person play?
LILA TOSHIKO: I think the thing that made me the most nervous about a two person play is there’s no room for error. You two only have each other to count on if anything goes wrong on stage. I’m so glad I got to team up with Jennifer for this process. She made this whole process so easy!
JHP: What do you hope audience come away from Highness having experienced?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: I hope that they can find something relatable, or open their eyes and ears to seeing/hearing another point of view. Maybe laugh a little!
LILA TOSHIKO: I hope it opens some eyes and encourages people to walk in someone else’s shoes before they make judgments.
JHP: After this weekend’s debut, do you have other plans for Highness?
JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: I’m not sure. I’d definitely love to fine tune and tweak. It might be fun to see and play with this idea again.
JHP: Do you hope to collaborate on another project in the near future?
LILA TOSHIKO AND JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: Absolutely!
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With that, my conversation with the creators and stars of Highness came to an end, but I’ve a feeling their reign over the Nashville theatre community is just beginning. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to Highness’ final performance at 6 p.m., Sunday, July 29 at Belmont Black Box Theatre as part of Actors Bridge Ensemble’s continuing summer series, She Said/She Said. CLICK HERE for more information about the series’ final offering, Cynthia Harris’ How to Catch a Flying Woman, directed by Helen Shute-Pettaway, onstage August 3-5. Be sure to Actors Bridge Ensemble on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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