Mari Geasair

Mari Geasair (Sharon)

The Roommate

JANUARY 13 — FEBRUARY 19

Tell us about The Roommate, and what’s so great about this story?

It is no secret that life can feel complicated. Especially recently. The Roommate is a delightful escape that gives audiences a chance for a much-needed laugh, but it also gives us an opportunity to explore life’s complications from a fresh perspective. 

Standing in her kitchen in Iowa City, Sharon confides in her new roommate that she thinks “everyone wants to start over, just burn it all down and start over.” And as the play progresses, both Robyn and Sharon do indeed start over. In extraordinarily unexpected ways. And as they do, they learn things about themselves and each other that they never imagined could be true.

I think joining these two women on their wild ride can be a refreshing break for audiences and can open doors in our imagination. Although the play takes a darkly comic twist, it also shares profound and poignant truths. It invites audiences to explore what boxes we might be unknowingly putting ourselves in and what happens when we dare to imagine growing beyond the life we thought we were “supposed” to lead.

What role are you playing, and what are you most excited about in playing this role?

I play the role of Sharon, a recently divorced housewife from Iowa City, who has always defined herself through the roles she plays in other people’s lives as a wife, mother, and dutiful book-club member.

It is exciting to get a chance to dive head-first into her journey and discover each step along the way as she peels away the layers of life’s disappointments and other people’s expectations to rediscover her own creative spark. But, it is also humbling to connect to Sharon’s inner fighter as she faces truths she has spent a lifetime avoiding and handles obstacles she didn’t know she had the strength to face.

What challenges are you facing in this production?

For me, as an actor, one of the biggest delights and one of the biggest challenges of playing Sharon is getting in touch with and bringing authenticity to her particular worldview.

Frequent funny moments in the script are fueled by the vast differences in how Sharon and Robyn see the world and by the surprising changes each of them makes in their approach to life. Working with my talented co-star Christine to bring authenticity to these moments so that they remain the hysterical gems they are without becoming corny or forced and continue to serve the deeper themes in the script has been an enjoyable artistic challenge.

Working with an outstanding team of creative professionals, including our Director, Assistant Director, Stage Managers, and Designers has made the challenge rewarding. They have been wonderfully supportive while providing inspiring artistic work of their own. Theatre is a deeply collaborative art form, and our audiences will enjoy a richer and more exciting production because of the high-quality collaboration we have all enjoyed working on The Roommate.

What do you hope audiences will take away from The Roommate?

First and foremost, I want adduces to have a great time and walk away refreshed after an evening of laughter, connection, and surprise. But, along the way, I hope they can also ask themselves where they are unconsciously limiting themselves. This evening of entertainment is also an excellent opportunity to ask ourselves what would happen if, just for a day, we risked looking for new possibilities in life- even when we are afraid our efforts will turn out badly. After all, as the play tells us, “there is great liberty in being bad.”