Sammy Behar
Staff Writer
Ever wonder what it feels like to be the lead in a play? Jenna Fink (16’) and Jamie Monsher (16’) are two of the leads in Milken’s production of The39 Steps, directed by Mr. Robert Menna. Here is a Q+A with each of them about their roles, the play in general, and acting.
Questions with Jenna Fink (16’):
Q: What is your role and how do you get into it?
A: My role is Pamela Edwards, who is one of the main character’s love interests. She is complicated and has many sides to her. During the rehearsal process I have discovered many aspects of her that I can use and things that I can add on top of what Mr. Menna, the director, tells me to do. I think I have grown a lot as an actress while becoming Pamela and it has been really fun so far.
Q: What is your favorite thing about doing The 39 Steps?
A: The people. I feel like our cast has become really close and we really care about each other. It is a lot of fun because we are a cast who can mess around during break, but still get to work when we need to.
Q: What is special about how Milken is doing the show?
A: I think something special about Milken doing the show is the tech stuff. All of the lights and sounds are really cool. Going in to tech the other day and seeing it all put together was amazing. Also theres a scene where it’s Christmas and we are supposed to use a Christmas tree, but we use a Menorah instead.
Q: How is your part in this play different from your parts in other plays you have been in?
A: Usually I am cast as the pretty girl who is somewhat one sided, uninteresting and weak, however, Pamela is so multi-dimensional and human. She is so much stronger than other characters I have played.
Q: Favorite thing about being in a play?
A: There is a sense of family within a cast. You can make fun of each other for anything because you love each other and that is so cool.
Q: Why should all Milken students come see it?
A: All Milken students should come to see it because it is really funny. Jaime Monsher, who is playing the lead, is really funny and so is everyone else in the cast. There are a lot of awesome physical comedy things happening that are really different than anything else I’ve ever done at Milken, or anywhere else.
Questions with Jamie Monsher (17’):
Q: What is your favorite thing about doing The 39 Steps?
A: My favorite thing about doing this play is all the comedy that’s written in it, and all the comedy that can be added.
Q: What is special about how Milken is doing the show?
A: We’re the only school that I know of that has put on The 39 Steps.
Q: Why should all Milken students come see it?
A: This show is funny! You do you. See this show. Make your mother proud.
Q: How does it feel to be the lead in one of your first plays? Does being new put you at a disadvantage?
A: Being the lead is frightening! It’s only the second time I’ve acted in a show at all, certainly the first as the lead. I don’t think this puts me at a disadvantage.
Q: What is your role and how do you get into it?
A: I take on the role of Richard Hannay, an aristocrat who has lived in a bubble his whole life, which is quickly popped. I get into this by standing up straight and trying to talk in my British accent. The rest just flows from there.
Q: Favorite thing about being in a play?
A: My favorite thing about being in the play is the theatre community. It hasn’t let me down in the past, and I know it won’t in the future.
Questions with Mr. Menna
Q: What is your favorite thing about doing The 39 Steps?
A: The 39 Steps is hilarious and the cast is too. This makes every rehearsal a pleasure.
Q: What is special about how Milken is doing the show?
A: The play was originally done with four actors playing dozens and dozens of roles. We have 11 actors, all of them inventing new comic antics. The play is a chance for actors to create their own funny stuff.
Q: How does the small number of people in the cast play a role in the production?
A: Part of the fun is having a small group of people switch characters and run around on stage, moving the set around and contributing to the overall lunacy.
Q: What is the play about?
A: This is the story of Richard Hannay, who accidentally leaps from his boring life into the middle of a spy thriller where he is suddenly the only person who can save his country. Although he is charming, he knows nothing about girls and his attempts at making a connection are very funny. Will he find love? Will he save the world? You’ll have to see the show to find out!
Q: What makes this play different than plays Milken has already done?
A: Actors switch from one character to another, sometimes even changing their costumes instantly onstage!
Q: How would you describe the play in less than 5 words?
A: Hilarious, hilarious, hilarious, hilarious.
Q: Why should all Milken students come see it?
A: They should only come if they want to have a lot of fun!
