Meet Apollo to the Moon Director Michael Dix Thomas!
“I think it’s important to explore what we’re all capable of if we can push the limits of our imagination. ”
Michael Dix Thomas, Director of Apollo to the Moon
What was the most exciting part about directing APOLLO TO THE MOON in Maddy’s Theatre?
The most exciting thing about APOLLO TO THE MOON for me has been the open collaboration that we've had for this project. We've had designers coming into rehearsals throughout the process, and I'm really excited to integrate the technical elements of our lights, projection, set, costumes, and props with the amazing work that Robbie Harrison's been doing in rehearsal. As I'm writing this, we've started to bring more and more of those elements into the room with us and it's wonderful to experience this world coming to life. I feel like this show, more than some others that I've worked on, is a true collaboration. We've had amazing ideas coming from every member of the team and I'm so excited to put it all together.
APOLLO TO THE MOON is a one-person show. Can you describe the rehearsal process of working with only one actor on stage?
Working on a one-person production is different in some ways. Ultimately Robbie has to go out there and put this show on by himself. As a performer, I find the interaction with other actors to be the most exciting part of theater and it can be intimidating to know that I'll be the only person onstage. However, I think the trick to solving that problem is in using the audience as a scene partner. We've been exploring how Robbie can include the audience in the story and rely on them as his reason to speak, his reason to tell this story.
Why is APOLLO TO THE MOON an important story to tell in Maddy's Theatre?
At its core, Apollo is about daring to follow your dreams, to "believe in the impossible," to paraphrase a line from the show. I think it's important to explore what we're all capable of if we can push the limits of our imagination. I hope that this play can capture some of the inspirational quality that the space program came to symbolize during the Apollo missions.
“The Children’s Theatre of Maine was the inspiration that I needed to study theater in college and eventually get my MFA. I made lifelong friends during those years and I’ve been working in and around theaters ever since. ”
You're an alum of the Children's Theatre of Maine! Can you tell us about your experience with CTM as a young actor and what's drawn you back as an adult?
I am! I got involved with the Children's Theatre in 1999 when I was in high school and the Maine Summer Dramatic Institute was producing Shakespeare plays in Deering Oaks Park. My first show was The Tempest and the play was staged in and around the wading pool. That whole experience was magical. I stuck around with CTM's teen programs and got to perform in a bunch of shows in the theater on Marginal Way, in Deering Oaks, and even took one show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. CTM was the inspiration that I needed to study theater in college and eventually get my MFA. I made lifelong friends during those years and I've been working in and around theaters ever since.
Michael in the cast of King Lear (2001), part of the Children’s Theatre of Maine’s teen Summer Dramatic Institute program, performing Shakespeare in Deering Oaks Park.
Catch Apollo to the Moon in Maddy’s Theatre from August 6th - 29th! Tickets start at $10 and Members receive a 10% discount. Visit our calendar for a list of Pay-What-You-Can performances and Members’ Shows. Admission to Maddy’s Theatre is separate from Play Sessions. Maddy’s Theatre welcomes artists and audiences of all ages and abilities.
kitetails.org/apollo-to-the-moon