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Check out Waltham's Tricia Akowicz in Arlington Friends of the Drama's "The Mai"

The Arlington Friends of the Drama is looking ahead to its upcoming production of "The Mai", opening February 28th.  "The Mai" is an Irish drama by Marina Carr and AFD's production will mark its American community theatre debut.  AFD is making a strong push to reach out to Greater Boston's Irish-American community.  

I had a chance to ask Waltham resident Tricia Akowicz a few questions about her experience as a member of the cast in Arlington Friends of the Drama's upcoming production of "The Mai".  Akowicz, who plays the role of Aunt Agnes, told me that she was inspired to audition for "The Mai" because it had been years since she had done straight drama.  She is generally accustomed to performing in musicals and comedies.  This is her first Irish drama, though she's done straight drama before, including "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".  That said, she says that "The Mai's" story line is equally if not more intense - with a few laughs included here and there for good measure.  Beyond that, perhaps the biggest draw for her was the chance to work with director Nancy Curran Willis.  She became intrigued by Willis after seeing many of the shows she directed.  Now that she's personally had the chance to work with her, Akowicz understands why Nancy's shows are so well done.  "She
expects a lot of her actors, provides brilliant guidance, but also allows us to develop our characters."  It's a perfect blend where she provides tremendous feedback and lays out her vision - but where she also allows for individual creativity.  

The Irish accent is nothing new for the self-described "Polish, Lithuanian, and Dutch girl" who otherwise boasts of no Irish heritage.  She sported an Irish brogue in shows like "Nunsense" as Mother Superior.  She's always had an ear for accents and when required to use a given accent, she watches TV shows or movies that include a good representation of that accent. For "The Mai", she has enjoyed the added benefit of having Arlington resident Jenna Lourenco (who also happens to play the role of Millie) as the official dialect coach.   She provided the cast with a CD and worked with them in fine-tuning the dialect.

"The Mai" is Akowicz's third show with AFD since returning to the stage almost four years ago.  "There had been a 14 year hiatus after moving from Texas to New England and taking a job that required extensive travel."  After finally getting off the road, she was able to get back on the stage.  She has also appeared in AFD's "Curtains" and "Enter Laughing".  Akowicz says that each community theatre group she has been involved with has been very different and each production team is equally different.  Other local groups she has performed with include the Concord Players, Winchester Players, and Burlington Players.  She asserts that Eastern Massachusetts is "lucky to have such a rich community theater presence.  There is something for everyone."

One unique challenge for Akowicz in "The Mai" is the fact that she is playing a role that is older than she is in real life.  While the role of Aunt Agnes isn't truly that much older than Ms. Akowicz, the tricky part she says is making sure that people see Aunt Agnes on stage and not Tricia.  Another challenge for her is trying to figure out "exactly where Aunt Agnes fits into the family dynamic," given that the play features four generations of women who are both very different and alike.  Akowicz hopes that the audience will walk away with the understanding that "family is family…no matter how good (or bad) things look from the outside, you never know what is truly going on behind closed doors."  

In creating her character, Akowicz tried to make sure that Aunt Agnes provided a foil for the more domineering Aunt Julie.  Aunt Agnes is "a bit quieter…who will occasionally surprise you with her spunk!"  Agnes reminds Akowicz of her own Cioci (Aunt) Helen who "was always the peacemaker," but also much like Aunt Agnes, could surprise everyone now and again.

Don't miss your chance to see Waltham's Tricia Akowicz as Aunt Agnes n Arlington Friends of the Drama's production of "The Mai".  

"The Mai" runs two weekends between February 28th and March 2nd as well as March 7th through the 9th.  Tickets are available online at www.afdtheatre.org or by calling 781-646-5922. 

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