Date: Fri 29-Sep-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-11

Quick Words:

Quillian-acting-Little-Theatre

Full Text:

Theatre Preview-

Quillian Develops Into A Shooting Star

By June April

Real talent is like seeing a shooting star: you know it when you see it, and

there is something kind of magical about it.

Watching Quillian, the actress and the production, is a Broadway happening, in

our own theatrical backyard. The one-woman show will be performed for only two

nights, Friday and Saturday, October 6-7, at The Little Theatre in Newtown.

Seeing the development of this production over the past two years has been an

"evolution, devoutly to be wished." Under the guiding hand of producer Doug

Taylor, Quillian's many talents are unfurled through a number of vignettes,

woven together for this one-woman show.

The flair for acting goes back to Quillian's childhood.

"My mother was a very beautiful lady," Quillian says, with a laugh, adding,

"and she was very popular and flamboyant." As a little girl, Quillian would

dress up in her mother's clothes and jewelry whenever her mother would go out.

"I always thought make-up, costumes and jewelry made an actress."

Marriage and children necessitated putting her dreams of acting on the back

burner for some years. When taking a class at Housatonic Community College in

"Masterpieces of Drama," however, the astute instructor realized he had a

tremendous talent needing to be polished in the class. He encouraged Quillian

to act on her dreams. She knew then it was the right time to make that

commitment.

For four years, Quillian commuted into the city, to train at the noted Herbert

Bergof Studio in Manhattan. She also took classes in vocal studies and studied

at the Music Theatre of Connecticut. With the reassuring style of Doug Taylor,

Quillian bloomed while taking classes to perfect her technique under his

tutelage at Fairfield University.

As a member of Taylor's Connecticut Center Acting Ensemble, monologues

performed by Quillian were very enthusiastically received by audiences.

"I began to think of fashioning these bits and pieces into a one-woman show,"

Taylor recalled. Choosing a monologue from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night , and

several other original and delightful sketches by contemporary writers, Taylor

used his writing skills to weave together a coherent show that reveals the

laughter and pathos that truly have been part of Quillian's life.

The piece entitled "Hats" is strongly biographical. Written especially for

Quillian by award-winning Connecticut resident Richard Fewell, "Hats" (and the

women in her life who have worn them) have a profound influence on Quillian,

and often reveal what she is feeling about herself.

"I love to please people," the actress acknowledges, "and there's nothing like

the feeling you get when you've done a good performance and you feel the love

and appreciation from the audience."

When asked who her role models are, Quillian unhesitatingly responds, "Marilyn

Monroe." Rather surprised, I asked why a black actress would revere the blonde

bombshell.

"I guess I really relate to her," Quillian answered thoughtfully, "because we

both knew what real difficulties and unhappiness meant, and drew upon that

understanding for certain roles." It is also clear that, like Monroe, Quillian

deeply cares about helping people.

Quillian has played off-Broadway in several different roles, including the

lead character in The Stoneskippers with The Pulse Ensemble. Watching her

move, especially her exquisitely expressive hands, is truly unforgettable.

The all too brief appearance at The Little Theatre, Orchard Hill Road in

Newtown, is not to be missed. The show, Quillian , starts at 8:30 pm Friday

and Saturday evenings. For further information, call the theatre's box office

at 270-9144.