Director’s cut
Timothy Bond enjoys living other people’s lives for two or three hours.
‘I just love that innate ability to be in someone else’s shoes when you’re watching a play,’ Bond said. ‘I think that’s a really healing and transformative experience, whether it’s a comedy, drama, musical or any other type of show.’
The university announced Bond as producing artistic director in July. He fills the position for Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University department of drama, in a new attempt to bridge the two theater companies.
His directing debut, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ opened Monday at Syracuse Stage’s John D. Archbold Theatre and runs through Oct. 4. The show involves both students and professional actors.
His hire came after James Clark, producing director, and Robert Moss, artistic director, announced in June 2006 a joint decision to step down.
Bond said he views a union between Syracuse Stage and SU Drama as a way to pass the torch to the next generation of theater artists.
‘It’s been very fulfilling for me as a director and as a teacher,’ he said. ‘To watch the students’ growth through the rehearsal process has been really exhilarating. The same with watching the professionals teach these students the wisdom they’ve gotten.’
Bond drew a parallel between the plot of the show and the process of training its student performers.
‘There are some actors in the cast who have a lot to pass on,’ he said. ‘That’s a lot of what this play is about – old musicians trying to teach young musicians. Whether or not the new musicians can receive that wisdom, that’s the real test.’
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ is one of playwright August Wilson’s series of ten works chronicling the 20th century experiences of blacks. Bond wants to direct all ten of those productions in the span of his career. ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ is the fifth he’s directed.
‘There have been great moments in rehearsals when the actor realized, ‘Oh, this is what the show is about,” Bond said. ‘We have just had great moments celebrating the beauty of that music. Those have really been the highs, when everyone in the room is swept up in the moment.’
There were times when the entire cast had to stop rehearsals due to tears flowing from the realization of the show’s meaning.
‘We were all bawling and crying,’ Bond said. ‘Just all of the history of what racism has done to the African-American community. And when we hit those moments, that’s really what I want to celebrate.’
As Bond went through his theater training, he realized that he liked the connection he could make to people’s stories.
‘I got exposed to theater and music and opera and dance as a kid, and I was fortunate in that. It tapped into something in my spirit that made me love the industry,’ he said. ‘As much as I thought I’ll never make any money, I’m compelled to do it.’
Bond studied theater for two years at Howard University and two years at the University of California at Los Angeles. He then completed his graduate work at the University of Washington, receiving his Master of Arts in directing. He also served on the school’s faculty in the directing program.
He served as the associate artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Ore., for 11 years, directing 12 productions. Bond spent two and a half months commuting between Syracuse and Washington, D.C., in January, February and March of this year. He had been selected to direct the 60th anniversary production of ‘Death of a Salesman’ at the Arena Stage.
Throughout his career, he’s carried a perfectionist attitude.
‘I’m not done until they kick me out,’ Bond said. ‘I love this period. It’s like you’ve got the concept of the play and the heart out on the stage. And now it’s just making the audience feel the way you do about these people’s stories.’
Published on September 9, 2008 at 12:00 pm
