What the Performers Have to Say

Performance artist:  Karen Thorud

Q:  What do you like about Interact?

A:  Everybody does a little bit of everything here; my strength is singing.  And it feels nice to be part of Interact; they’re nice people.

Q:  What do you get from your work at Interact?

A:  If this weren’t here, I’d be doing dead-end jobs; Interact always challenges me to do something better.  People help each other; it’s like family.  We’re always trying to raise the bar.

Q:  What are you looking forward to on the tour of England?

A:  Trying new things like shepherd’s pie and Yorkshire pudding, high tea at 4:00 p.m.

Q:  What you have learned about acting?

A:  You always go on stage in your character.  You don’t scratch an itch.  The show is about everybody, not just one person.  When you get stuck, keep going so it flows nice; you keep on going.

Q:  What has been your hardest role?

A:  Playing a reporter in “Cloud Cuckooland.”  The character has to speak fast and clear—articulation and diction.

Q:  What is the mission of the England tour?

A:  We’re there as goodwill ambassadors.

Performance artist:  Peter Goldberg

Q:  What drew you to Interact?

A:  I come from a big acting family. One cousin was a clown in Copenhagen and now owns a circus (Circus Smircus) in Vermont and another is an actress ... in Hollywood.  Acting is in my blood; it’s my calling.

Q:  What have you learned at Interact?

A:  After being here four years you really understand what Interact does and how important the work is that we do.

Q:  What is the benefit of going to England?

A:  I think it is important for people with disabilities to travel.  When we traveled to Scandinavia (in 2001) audiences were more enthusiastic than U.S. audiences.  I expect that people in Europe don’t see a lot of theater from people with disabilities.

Q:  What is Interact’s effect on it audiences?

A:  Interact informs the public how we want to be treated; it helps you as a person.  You want to be one of the people looked up to; the company helps you be better.  A big goal of Interact is to open people’s minds about people with disabilities.  I hope to help audiences to lighten their load, make them happy, bring spirits up.

Q:  What do you expect from the upcoming tour of England?

A:  I think we’re going to be held to a high standard in England.

Q:  What will this tour do for Interact?

A:  This could catapult Interact to new heights.  I am sure we can stun the audience in England

Performance artist:  John Allen Boler

Q:  What do you think you bring to each performance?

A:  I have perfect pitch (and contribute to songwriting).

Q:  What has Interact meant to you?

A:  At previous jobs I often didn’t feel like going to work; now I do something I like and find the stamina and enthusiasm to get up and go every day.  Interact pushes me and makes me better. The minute I don’t want to go on stage, that’s the time for me to do it.

Q:  How did it make you better?

A:  I’m allowed to use my talents and act true to my [Christian] beliefs.  I remember when I couldn’t accept [people with Down syndrome].  Then I learned that I could be an asset to them and they could be an asset to me.  Now I find it helpful, in dealing with the struggles of life, to have a company of folks to work with; I needed to turn to folks here.

Q:  How does it feel to be on stage?

A:  It’s like home.  I’m not nervous once I know where I am.  As long as I don’t fall off the stage it’s magnificent.

Q:  What makes the Interact company work well?

A:  All of us get along with each other; everybody knows everybody, belongs to everybody.

Q:  What are you expecting from England tour?

A:  England is the chance of a lifetime; I’m very thrilled that I get to do this.  I expect I will discover that there are more disabled people around the world than I ever dreamed.