We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charlene Sivertson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charlene below.

Charlene, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

II’m Char Sivertson from Clairemont Act One

Thanks for asking me back! I guess you could say I’m just an old broad with another story to tell. Lots of stories. But this particular story is about a little community theater called Clairemont Act One. I found them in my neighborhood in 2015 when I retired from Northrop Grumman Corporation. Lucky thing too, because my work with NGC was high adrenaline, very busy, and while I was ready to retire, I had no real plan what to do after the 9 to 5 grind.

But I knew I wanted to get back into what I left behind. Isn’t that what a lot of us do? Opt for the 401K and then return, if we are lucky, to the passions of our youth?

My degree is in theater. I was constantly acting in school, , a touring company, some dinner theater. I was never so alive as when I was onstage. In retrospect, I recognize a certain psychological maladjustment in that perspective, (but that is neither here nor there at this point.)

“One of the things about acting is it allows you to live other people’s lives without having to pay the price.” Robert DeNiro

The point is that local community theaters provide an avenue for those of us who are storytellers and for those of us who enjoy hearing the storytellers. We are amateurs for the most part, with a love for theatre and a craving for the “let’s put on a show” camaraderie.

Clairemont Act One was doing well, growing in cast, crew and audience. Until 2020. Community theater came to a screeching halt, along with most everything else.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

“If you really want to help the American theater, don’t be an actress, dahling. Be an audience.” — Tallulah Bankhead

Congratulations if you know the name “Tallulah Bankhead.” If you don’t, you’ll have to google it.

I think, especially now when communities may be struggling for cohesiveness, attending and/or joining community theater is a great way of supporting your community.

The American Association of Community Theater states on their website that community theater is “Essential to the Cultural Health of Our Communities. Community theatre enriches the lives of those who take an active part in it, as well as those in the community who benefit from live theatre productions. On either side of the footlights, those involved represent a diversity of age, culture, life experience, and a strong appreciation of the importance of the arts.”

Clairemont Act One has a great lineup of one-acts playing Friday, Saturday, June 3, 4, 10 and 11. Enjoy the classical guitarists who will be easing you into the evening at 7 pm.

I am actually one of the playwrights and directing my play titled “Three Women.” It’s about an elderly lady who wanders onstage and comes in contact with two of her past selves. It’s a revelation of course. The other playwrights and their work is shown at end of this article. Discount tickets are available on our website at clairemontactone.org.

Come see Word Plays, Six of the Best Shorts from California Playwrights.
Tallulah Bankhead would approve!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

“Drama is life with the dull bits cut out. ” ……Alfred Hitchcock

Gosh, I hope everybody knows Alfred?

Our goal is simple. Clairemont Act One just wants to continue to provide artistic opportunity to the community. No matter your day job, there is a place right in your neighborhood where you can join others who want to step out of their personal, ordinary experience and explore the human condition in all its vagaries, whether as actor, crew or audience.

Our shows have featured actors and crews from all walks of life,, including a biotech/pharma Project Manager with a Ph.D. in neuroscience; another Ph.D. candidate working in research biology; a veterinary technician, teachers, Uber/Lyft drivers, an Energy Kinesiologist, a Fitness Specialist/Holistic Health Practitioner, a paralegal, a Fund Manager at UC San Diego, and the list goes on. We also have several dedicated people retired from various and fascinating careers.

“Being (or exploring)”another character is more interesting than being yourself.”
………John Gielgud

Looking forward to meeting you at the show!

Contact Info:

• Website: clairemontactone.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClairemontActOne

Image Credits
Helder C. Balelo Byron Morton