Emulating Alison: River Hetzel Shares Sketches from Fun Home

When I talked with Emma after getting cast, we were both excited about how we could use my art in the show. I’ve always loved Alison Bechdel’s work and jumped at the chance to get to emulate her. At the start of the rehearsal process I checked with all the actors to make sure it was okay if I took pictures during rehearsals and then began capturing moments. I started drawing my cast mates every day and recently don’t even really need to have a reference to cartoon them. It’s been so nice to have real people to draw from and I’ve loved all the support and love i’ve been given by the cast while I continue to work on my drawings.

These are a few of my earlier drawings that I’ve finished: I started with drawing traditionally and have recently transitioned to digital work that could more easily be shared on social media or printed for part of the set dressing. I also shared a “no nukes!” poster, which I will be drawing onstage during one of my scenes (it will not look as neat as this one since I have like one minute to do it! haha). I’ve loved getting to know my cast mates, draw our lives, and show how we have become a family.

-River Hetzel (Medium Alison)

Fun Home opens on January 12th and runs through February 18th in the Bond-Trimble Theatre.