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The Legend of Jim Cullen
Heartwood Regional Theater Company
Photography by Marti Stone
 Full Cast-"Tellers of the Tale"This was an extraordinary production with a unique rehearsal process. We rehearsed for six weeks, which gave us the opportunity to delve deeply into our characters and develop a solid ensemble. |  "Tellers of the Tale"(With Isaac Haas as Bateman) The transformation moment into Rosellah Twist. We decided that she was a woman who would definitely "let her hair down". |  "Barn Building"(With Stephen Shore as Jim Cullen) In this moment, Jim catches Rosellah having an affair. I had to punch Stephen in the scene, which made this the most challenging scene for me. As luck would have it, Stephen is well-versed in stage combat, so we worked on the punch every night before the show just to make sure the timing was perfect. It turned out to be one of the most heart wrenching scenes in the show. |
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 "The Cellar"(With David Meyers Jr. as Constable Hughes) Rosellah gives Jim up to the authorities after he murders Hubbard and Sheriff Hayden. We tried the scene a number of different ways. I kept wondering, "Why did she do it?" I eventually tried the scene as if she was going a little crazy and was worn out from being interrogated for hours. She's tired, and has no choice but to give Jim up, despite the fact that she may actually still love him. |  "Tellers of the Tale"Griff wrote this wonderfully complex character, which gave me so many facets to work with. Rosellah is a female living the 1800s, who has no choice but to depend on the income of her husband for her survival. She has been let down by all the men in her life, and Jim is failing to support her and their son. She is the definition of "survivalist". |  "Dudley's Store"(With Kyle Aarons and Dierdre Manning as Mr. and Mrs. Dudley) The first time the audience meets Rosellah, they learn very quickly that her reputation has preceded her, and she is essentially looked down upon by everyone in town. |
 "The Cellar"(With Stephen Shore as Jim Cullen) We tried this scene a number of different ways, but it wasn't until Griff asked me to help Jim wipe the blood of his face that it felt right. This scene became one of the few tender moments between us in the show, and led to so many new discoveries for both of us. |  The Cullen Home(With Stephen Shore as Jim Cullen, and Andrew Lyndaker as Eldon) Stephen was a dream to work with. The relationship between Rosellah and Jim required so many different levels, and thankfully, we both love to play and try new ideas. Being open to one another, helped us to develop this beautifully complex relationship. I'm very proud of what we accomplished together. |  The Cullen Home(With Stephen Shore as Jim Cullen) Rosellah tends to use her sexuality to get what she wants, and it serves her well throughout the show. She is a very "hateable" character, so I had to really work hard to help the audience see that she is a product of her time, and her past. |
 Full Cast-"Fire and Resurrection"The entire cast was a solid group of actors and singers. We developed a true sense of ensemble through our time together. No song showcased our ensemble more than "Fire and Resurrection". |  "Barn Building"(With Morgan Morse as Thomas Hubbard) There wasn't a lot of time/text to establish the relationship between Hubbard and Rosellah, so it had to be made very clear that it was indeed a physical relationship, but also a business relationship. |  "Full Circle"(With Andrew Lyndaker as Eldon) "Full Circle" is where we learn a bit about Rosellah's troubled past. Griff wanted her to be a "force of nature" from the second she stepped onstage, and I felt like a marathon runner from the beginning. It took a lot of energy, focus, and preparation, but it was, hands down, the most rewarding role I've played to date. |
 "Full Circle"(With Isaac Haas as Bateman) Isaac rarely left the stage as Bateman, but we actually only interacted with one another three times throughout the show, with no spoken text between us. Just looks...like this one. |  "Ballad of Jim and Rosellah"(With Stephen Shore as Jim Cullen) "Ballad of Jim and Rosellah" was a fun scene from day one, because we had so many fabulous transitions and words to work with. Rosellah is manipulative, and does and says everything in this scene to get Jim to ultimately steal food for her. Because of the way Aaron Robinson wrote the music, you can hear her trying different tactics by the rise and fall of the notes, which is what makes him an incredible story teller through his music. |  "Rumor Was"(With Andrew Lyndaker as Eldon) "Rumor Was" was the most emotional moment in the show for me. Rosellah is a tragic character. I didn't want her to be a martyr, and I was ok with being hated, but more than anything I wanted people to understand her as I understood her. I also wanted them to think outside the box, and perhaps feel uncomfortable with being able to understand her. Yes, she is flawed, but that's what makes her human. |
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