Straight Shootin’ with the cast of The Bad and the Better: Jordan Tisdale
The streets are filled with shady politicians and rebel-rousing anarchists in Derek Ahonen’s new play, The Bad and the Better, which begins performances at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater on June 14. In anticipation of the new detective noir, Stage Rush asked some of the fearless cast members about rolling with The Amoralists, admiring rebels, and shooting firearms. Here’s what they had to say!
Actor: Jordan Tisdale
Has the nature of the Amoralists’ work allowed you to take more risks on stage? Moreso than your experiences with other theater companies?
They have allowed me to take more risks than I have before and probably ever will. It’s all in the writing. Although we are a breed of actors who go all the way and don’t consider anything but excellence as an option, we wouldn’t be able to do that without the allowance of the writing. Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, and Sam Shepard to name a few, do the same when they give an actor crazy and plentiful circumstances to work through. Actors love to go all the way and push the boundaries.
How do the founding principles of The Amoralists connect with your own inclinations as an actor?
We are right there with each other. I love the gritty shit. With gritty, you never know what you will find. If you really commit to the material, crazy stuff happens and moments that you never conceived could happen suddenly do.
What stories of famously corrupt politicians or infamous rebels have you admired or been intrigued by, and why?
Braveheart’s William Wallace was pretty bad ass. Nothin’ like Mel Gibson and a fucking claymore.
What’s the most shocking thing you’ve ever seen done on stage?
I’ve done some weird shit myself, so it’s hard to say. I’ve actually never been really shocked by something I saw on stage. Either I don’t see enough theater or I’m I’m fully aware the performers are acting, because I’m an actor.
Which of the following best describes your relationship with firearms:
A) Bullseye!
B.) On occasion, when I need to blow off some steam.
C) I bought a Groupon for an hour session at a shooting range once.
D) Never touched one before in my life.
E) I won’t even sleep in a house with a gun in it.
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