by Clarence Hein For Broadway and motion picture actress Barbara Baxley, being artist·in-residence with PSU's School of Performing Arts this spring has meant the opportunity to pursue twn consuming personal interests: working with students and performing the work of playwright Tennessee Williams, with whom she had a long and close friendship. At PSU, Baxley has been working with students five hours a week in an advanced acting workshop while, at the same time, preparing the role of Princess in the PSU production of Williams' "Sweet Bird of Youth," running May 10·19 in Uncoln Hall Auditorium. It has made for a heclic schedule, but one which the actress has enjoyed. "I like the leaching," she says. "I've been laught by the very best people in the country (Elia Kazan, Sanford Meisner). I've been very lucky there, and I try to impart what they did to me." Watching Baxley work with the PSU students, you can sense the affinity she has for them and the respect they have for her. When they talk, she listens; and when she talks, they listen. During performance of a ten-minute dramatic scene by t\vo students, Baxley sat quietly engrossed in their work. For the next 25 minutes, she talked, questioned, probed, suggested... pushing the students to think more deeply about the roles, the scene, the play and all aspects of the performance. "The playwright says what to do, but usually not how," she says later. "Making choices of how to approach the role...and being committed to that choice, putting all your energy into it, that's the hard part of acting. It's not easy and I don't think anyone knows what actors go through in creating a new part." In addition to her teaching schedule, Barbara Baxley spends several hours eolch day with the cast and director Jack Featheringill in rehearsals (or "Sweet Bird of Youth," by Tennessee Williams. She speaks with obvious fondness when discussing the late playwright's work and its effect on her. "I think what is so special about Tennessee is. first. the tenderness with which he looked at everything and everybody in life. He didn't leave anyone out with that tenderness and humanity of his, II she says. Pausing to light a cigarette and collect her thoughts, the actress continues in that distinctively husky voice, the kind that once was described as "sultry." "And, in each of his plays, he talks about how difficult it sometimes is to live. h's not an easy existence for anybody, But he always says, 'you have to go on.' No matter how difficult things are to deal with, he says, go on." Talking Tennessee Visiting artist Barbara Baxley talks about her old friend Tennessee Williams, teaching, and time. " .. .as time rushes by, you have to go on, keep doing your tap dance and change with the music. " She says that message is repeated in "Sweet Bird of Youth." "It's the same, only more so. He was older when he wrote this play, and it talks about the inability to keep things the same. You grow older. It may be a tragedy, but it happens. And in spite of the changes that occur as time rushes by, you have to go on, keep doing your tap dance and change with the music." Baxley had starring roles in two of Williams' plays on Broadway, "Camino Real" and "Period of Adjustmenl," earning a Tony nomination for the latter. She, Williams and playwright William Inge all were close friends, " I liked Tennessee's work, and I liked the man himself," she says. "When he was around you, you couldn't lie, because he didn't; you couldn't hide, because he didn't; you just became more of yourself." Barbara Baxley's Brooldway, film and television credits include some of the best of each medium over the past three decades. Besides the Williams plays, she has had major roles in "Plaza Suite," "Bus Stop," "The Three Sisters," "Private lives," and many Shakespeare plays. She also starred in the musical "She loves Me," where she first met Featheringill, who also worked on the New York production, In 1980, Featheringill directed Baxley in Neil Simon's liThe Gingerbread lady," as part of the PSU Players summer stock program at the Coasler Theater in Cannon Beach. Baxley has appeared in such recent films as "Norma Rae" and "Nashville," and her television work has included the repertory series "Studio 1" and "Playhouse 90." Adress Barbara Baxley took time out from her bus)' tl'aching schedule to talk about he, work (top). Back in class, me struck a ~ for students (above). What's on tap for Barbara Baxley in the future? New roles, or more teaching, perhaps? " I don't know. I've been doing this (acting) for 36 years and maybe that's enough. There is no way to make it painless." She lights another cigarette and adds, "Well, as you can see, this year I've spent a good deal of time teaching. I like the kids. They're young and enthusiastic and there are worlds ahead of them, b u ~ ~ I ~ ! ~ t d ~ ~ ~ t ~ p ~ : ; ; : y ' s immediate future will involve PSU and Oregon. From June 28 to July 15, she will make her second appearance at the Coaster Theater in Cannon Beach, recreating her "Sweet Bird" role for summer audiences. "Sweet Bird of Youth, " by Tennessee Wifliams, with Barbara Baxley as Princess, runs May 10·12, /1-19 al8 p.m. and May 13 all p.m. in Lincoln Hall Auditorium on the PSU campus. Reservations may be made through the P5U Box Office, 229·4440. The play will also run at the Coaster Theater in Cannon Beach, June 28·July 75. Barbara Baxley appears through the courtesy of Actors' Equity Association. 5
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