MANSFIELD — Bryan Gladden’s original play, “Reflecting Pond,” will be one of approximately 150 performances showcased in the Columbus Arts Festival on Friday, June 9 at 2 p.m.
The Columbus Arts Festival draws about 450,000 people and features work from notable local, national and international artists that represent 37 states, Belgium and Canada. Admission is free.
Artists are granted one-hour or half-hour time slots for their performances, so Gladden will present an abridged version of his play, which he began working on about 20 years ago.
The Mansfield man has co-written a number of plays in the past, most of which deal with social stereotypes and how things are different and yet the same, he said.
“Because this is the abridged version, I cut a scene at the end, but because of that, I’ve found a new piece that makes the play as a whole so much stronger,” he said.
The show follows a couple, Jeb (portrayed by Trayce Wilcox) and Julie (played by Christine Carsey) walking on a pier at sunset.
“I tried to think of the most stereotypical romantic scene I could think of,” Gladden said.
A school of fish swimming nearby stop and listen to the couple as their own sort of entertainment.
“It’s a direct parallel to the audience coming to watch a play,” he said.
Mark Sebastian Jordan said the play starts off very light-hearted, sarcastic and witty.
“You maybe will be caught by surprise later on to find how much of an emotional charge that it packs,” he said. “That’s one of the things that I love about it.”
Jordan portrays a German salmon named Johan, which was written specifically for him, he said.
“You don’t get that opportunity very often as an actor — to play something that was specifically crafted toward your strengths,” he said.
He said his character serves as a wise father figure who seeks to guide and inspire those around him.
“It’s nice for me because that’s kind of what I’ve tried to do with my creative activities all of these years, so it’s very fulfilling for me to see that reflected in the part.”
Lindsey Saltz portrays a fish named Lydia.
“Lydia is who I am,” she said. “She’s just very set on what she wants and she’s not afraid to tell people what she thinks.”
Aaron McNulty said his character, Jerrared, has an unfortunate love life, having lost two previous wives because of humans.
“He loves Lydia and he loves her passion and how over-the-top she is about stuff, but he can’t bring himself to move past his own inhibitions,” he said. “With Jerrared … you get to see this struggle that everybody can relate to which is, do I allow what happened in the past decide my future?
“And it’s really nice because Jeb actually goes through basically the same exact situation that I do.”
Fellow cast mates include Drew Traxler as Packo and Greg Ashbrook II as Newton. Musicians Katy Esmont and Chuck Blackwell will perform songs during scene changes and for the introduction and postlude. Blackwell will also serve as the voice of Poseidon.
Joan Tesker and Ivan Pellot are making the costumes and Valerie Schwartzfigure is the make-up artist.
Gladden said the set will be very minimalistic, as there will be only 10 minutes to set up and tear down during the festival. The split-stage production will include two four-by-eight platforms and six tubes, meant to represent a pier, as well as a tire for trash and two 55-gallon barrels decorated with toxic waste symbols.
Viewer discretion is advised. There is some adult language, Gladden said.
The abridged version of “Reflecting Pond” will also be performed at Founder’s Auditorium at The Ohio State University at Mansfield on Sunday, June 11 at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at Suzy’s Smoke Room on Main Street during normal business hours.
Gladden said he hopes to have the full-length play performed at some point in the future, aiming to have it featured in The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
