We are thrilled to have the amazing Cristi Miles back with us to launch our 2017-18 season! You may remember Cristi from our production of Midsummer (a play with songs), or have seen her earlier this summer in Deception Unit with Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble, where she’s co-artistic director. This time around, Cristi plays the smart, excitable, and funny W in Lungs by Duncan Macmillan. We asked her to share a few thoughts on our production.
What do you like about W?
I love her directness, honesty and how she really tries to examine every decision she makes. One of her lines states: “I want to do everything for the right reason or at least a good reason…” I’m learning from her to really think through the consequences that my decisions will have, which is good for me, as I am one to accept things without really questioning them, and she is teaching me to look beyond that.
Is there anything about her that frustrates you?
The thing that has frustrated me the most about her is learning her thought pattern and rhythm. She is a verbal processor and one that is much faster than me, so I have had to push myself and really get to know her thinking pattern, because she has a lot of incomplete thoughts and phrases and processes a LOT faster than I was ready for.
What do you think will surprise people about this show?
I hope that people will be surprised at how relatable this show is. We are talking about and wrestling with a lot of the issues that face us today, and I hope that the audience will see themselves, or at least part of themselves in these two complicated, wonderful people.
What’s been your favorite part of working with Third Rail again?
Oh gosh, my favorite thing? There are so many things I love about Third Rail! The work ethic and commitment to the honesty of the story, and the people. OR COURSE, the PEOPLE. Being surrounded and supported by the company has made me feel at home and at the same time challenged me to risk failure to strive for what’s possible… it’s been wonderful!
Lungs by Duncan Macmillan runs August 4-26 at CoHo Theatre
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August 16, 2017
