George Contini
  • About George Contini
    • CV, Resume, Headshots
    • Bio
    • Philosophy and Aesthetic
  • REEL
  • Research
    • Phyllis Wheatley and Mary Church Terrell
    • Don't Know the Half!!
    • The Crinoline Girl-Continuing the Journey
    • Put it In the Scrapbook Research and Process
    • Scrapbook Synopsis, Videos, Selected Scenes
    • Put It in the Scrapbook Script
    • Critical Response to Put It in the Scrapbook
    • Scrapbook -Research Bibliography, Other Supporting Documentation
    • Always Knew LGBTQ Oral History Project
    • Publications >
      • Always Knew Article
      • Theatre Journal Review
      • Chapter in "Acting Lessons for the CG Animator" on Michael Chekhov
  • Creative Activities (Professional)
    • The Book of Will
    • The Explorers Club
    • Don't Dress for Dinner
    • Hidden Man
    • Assistance
    • The 39 Steps (Stage Door Players)
    • Dad's Garage Solo Performance Guest Artist
    • Theatre Emory Brave New Works Festival
    • Quick Overview of What Critics Have Said.....
  • Photo Gallery
  • Creative Activities (Academic)
    • Torch Song
    • Love and Information
    • Happy Days
    • Niagra Falls
    • Young Frankenstein
    • Detroit
    • The Skin of Our Teeth
    • The Misadventures of Uncle McBuck
    • Sweeney Todd
    • A Lesson Before Dying
    • Pride and Prejudice
    • The 39 Steps (UGA)
    • 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
    • The Grapes of Wrath
    • Dangerous Liaisons
    • Trojan Women
  • Teaching
    • Pandemic Pedagogy
    • I love Rehearsal
    • Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship
    • Study Abroad in London
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policies
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

In Spring 2012 I had the opportunity to play the role of famed Georgia folk artist Howard Finster in the World Premiere of Pamela Turner’s play 
Hidden Man.  This was a co-production between 7Stages, an internationally recognized theatre in Atlanta and the UGA Dept. of Theatre and Film Studies.  7Stages is a 36 year old professional theatre company devoted to engaging artists and audiences by focusing on the social, political, and spiritual values of contemporary culture. 7 Stages gives primary emphasis to international work and the support and development of new plays, new playwrights, and new methods of collaboration.  When Hidden Man moved to Atlanta, I performed under an Equity Special Appearance Contract.

​Research Inquiry:  
How to embody the spirit of Howard Finster without trying to directly imitate him?  How to play a Southern preacher without relying on stereotype?
Modes of Research Specific to Finster:  
 
Learning to play the Banjo
Listening to Library of Congress Recordings and Home Videos of Finster preaching
Learning the North Georgia Dialect
Visit to Paradise Gardens
Sacred Harp Shape Note Singing

​Discoveries:  
Although he would not have called it such, Finster, clearly recognized the "queerness" of himself and others.  His was the role of an outsider, not just as an artist, but as someone who never felt worthy of reaching the Gates of Heaven.   I found an "in" to the character through that.    When interacting with other characters I found the Finster was always looking for his "in" to them.   He wanted, more than anything, to make them understand the passion and beliefs he had.  So he would learn to speak "their language".  

Chekhov Technique
Using the concept of the physical Grotesque is always helpful to me as an actor.  I will utilize strong images to make bold physical choices, gradually veiling them to a more naturalistic manner.  But it assures me that I am making clear differentiation between myself and the role. It was no different with developing my interpretation of Finster. I have included the sketch from my notebook below. Interestingly, the images I chose were items that were commonly found in Finster's world.  The images I used were arrowheads for his face and torso, pie crust slits for his eyes, an upside down coffee cup for his mouth,  two ears of shucked corn for his forearms and hands, and parsnips for his feet.   His center of gravity was directly between his heels with his feet at a 45 degree angle.  In the picture to the right it is clear how the grotesque manifested itself in character presentation on stage.


Picture
Picture

Hidden Man--- World Premiere
February 2012 at UGA, March 2012 at Seven Stages, Atlanta

Picture



​Written by Pamela Turner with Russell Blackmon
Directed by Del Hamilton.
 
A Southern Gothic coming-of-age story about artist Robert Sherer and his relationship with Reverend Howard Finster, whose Paradise Gardens and Museum are located on three acres in Chattooga County, Georgia. This world premiere is a co-production with 7 Stages Theatre in Atlanta.

CRITICAL PRAISE

Atlanta InTown
Rev. Howard Finster is played by George Contini—a superb performance.  Finster is a master of the non sequitur:  He almost drives you crazy with it; but then, so does Sherer.  That’s one thing they’ve got in common.  But more than that, they have their art.   The mystery of artistic expression and human sexuality are both explored here, usually as subtext"
http://www.atlantaintownpaper.com/2012/03/theatre-review-hidden-man-at-7-stages/#more-12268

Creative Loafing
"Contini radiates high-spirited energy as Howard……The role may be devout and open-hearted, but Contini conveys that Howard's no fool, but a perceptive man who appreciates the value of money and humor.”
http://clatl.com/atlanta/hidden-man-paints-an-affectionate-portrait-of-howard-finster/Content?oid=5007245

Access Atlanta
"Finster neither a paragon of homespun wisdom nor a parody of backwoods eccentricity. George Contini, an associate theater professor at UGA and an occasional actor for hire (the Alliance’s “Shear Madness”), is excellent in the role."
http://www.atlantaintownpaper.com/2012/03/theatre-review-hidden-man-at-7-stages/#more-12268

David
"Even the Reverend, who was wise and strong in his beliefs, was not glorified as some prophet. He was played by George Contini with humbled grace. He was just as human as the other characters and learned from them as they learned from him."
​http://davidatlanta.com/2012/03/7-stages-hidden-man-simple-solid-storytelling/

Georgia Voice Article--Front page story
http://www.scribd.com/GAVoice/d/83357037-The-Georgia-Voice-3-2-12-Vol-2-Issue-26



Picture
Picture