Culture
Guest Artist to Perform with OUL Theatre
By: Cheri Russo
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A guest artist will be performing with the Ohio University Lancaster Theatre this November during the production of Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park. Anne Diehl will play the role of Mrs. Banks.
Diehl is an actress, producer, director and acting teacher. She spent more than 10 years in New York City, where she studied with several acting teachers including the renowned Uta Hagen.
Her New York acting credits include many Off-Broadway shows and productions ranging from new works to cabarets at the famous Don’t Tell Mama. She became a member of Actors Equity in 1988. Diehl has taught theatre at the Ohio State University, Ohio Dominican University, Kenyon College and Otterbein University. She is also the Founder of CAST, the Columbus Actors Studio.
“I am thrilled to bring professional Guest Artist Anne Diehl to the OUL stage,” said OUL Theatre Director Victor Jones. “Our students will be working with a member of the Actors’ Equity Association. I feel that this is important step in our theatre program for our students. They will see first-hand how a professional actor prepares for a role during the rehearsal process.”
Barefoot in the Park is about newlyweds who get a surprise visit from the bride’s mother, Mrs. Banks. The newlyweds decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic, Velasco, and everything that can go wrong, does go wrong.
“Ms. Diehl will bring her comedic skills to the OUL stage in the role of Mrs. Banks,” said Jones. “I know that our OUL students will benefit from her experiences on the stage and her knowledge from teaching theatre at several universities in central Ohio.”
Diehl will join the cast for rehearsals just a few weeks before opening night. Jones said his own experience working with a guest artist as a young actor is what led him to pursue this opportunity for students at OUL.
“I have personally benefited from working with an Equity Guest Artist,” said Jones. “As a young actor when I was student at Otterbein University, the Theatre Department would bring in Guest Artists to be in the shows with us. I also had the opportunity to work with big talent when I was an intern at Kenley Players.”
Barefoot in the Park will be performed on the Wagner Theatre stage Nov. 4–8.