ANDY DRACHENBERG: You’re making your Broadway debut in this production. What’s that experience been like for you?
MADISON DIRKS: It’s kind of surreal. I’ve achieved a major life goal of mine that now I can finally say, “Yes, I’m on Broadway.” Broadway has a universal definition that implies a certain level of success and legitimacy for an actor. It’s been an overwhelming experience.
AD: What roads led you to ‘Woolf?’
MD: Well, I moved to Chicago about eight years ago because that’s the city I wanted to live in. Chicago theatre has a reputation for being very visceral and earnest. There’s a down to earth sensibility about the training and the style of theatre that’s done there. While I was in college, I idolized and studied the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, so I felt very lucky to act in some of their productions later on. Pam [MacKinnon, director of the production] was directing a show at Steppenwolf two years ago, and Erica Daniels – the casting director – called me in to audition. After a series of callbacks, I ended up getting the part. That was two years ago, so I’ve lived with Nick since! It’s been a long, long time. I have more experience now with this production than I have with anything I’ve ever done before.
AD: How did your views of Nick transform throughout two years of playing him?
MD: I think I had opinions about who he was when we first started in Chicago. Pam has been really great in exploring the characters. She’s helped modify the performances a little bit; she’s certainly helped me with changing my performance of Nick for New York. The play is not a museum piece; it is a living work of art.
AD: As a Steppenwolf production, the experience with other artists is incredibly important. What was working with everyone on ‘Woolf‘ like?
MD: Pam is such a remarkable director. Her intelligence and sense of humor guides the room like a lighthouse. Tracy and Amy are legends. It was overwhelming at first but now I think of them as friends and colleagues. Carrie is wildly talented, funny, and gracious. We’ve gotten close throughout the production and I think of her as a close friend.
AD: You also had the chance to work directly with Edward Albee?
MD: When we were rehearsing in Chicago, he came up for a weekend and watched the entire show. He left notes and suggestions with Pam and she incorporated that into our future rehearsals. He was very complimentary and gracious to all of us. He was really great to have in Chicago to help answer some of our questions. It is unusual to get the opportunity to work with a playwright and we were all grateful for the chance.
AD: In past interviews, you’ve mentioned cruelty having a large role in the production. Why do you see that so strongly?
MD: The cruelty that you can inflict on the person that you love after you spend a lifetime with them is immense. You can see it in how Nick treats Honey when he puts her down. With Martha and George, you can see the love behind it, but with Nick and Honey, you see coldness from a lack of empathy. It is a little familiar, in an extreme way, to things I’ve seen in past relationships. There are parts that you wish you wouldn’t identify with but you can still relate to.
AD: What is your favorite moment in the production?
MD: The beginning of act two when Nick and George are talking on stage. The scene’s length made it difficult at first, but now I find myself looking forward to it every time. There’s humor and lightness in that scene – Nick doesn’t understand what George is doing to him yet. There are secrets being shared and information leaked without Nick’s total awareness. It has become really fun and lovely to play every night.
Madison Dirks (Nick) is honored to make his Broadway debut. Previous stage credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Steppenwolf Theatre/Arena Stage), The Chosen and Gary(Steppenwolf Theatre) Girl, 20(Serendipity Theatre-L.A. remount) A Man For All Seasons(TimeLine Theatre) The Last Supper(Infusion Theatre) Hillbilly Antigone (Looking-glass Theatre-u/s). Film and TV credits include:“Chicago Fire”(NBC), “According to Jim” (ABC), “The Chicago Code” (FOX), Public Enemies and The Dilemma. Madison is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a graduate of Louisiana State University.