Production Team Spotlight: Amy Donald
We caught up with Director, Amy Donald to discuss musical theatre, her inspirations, and her involvement with Doncaster Stage Productions.
Amy Donald bio:
Bunny lover, tea and biscuits consumer, and stationery enthusiast. File-lugging Director and Spreadsheet Queen. Often seen wearing leopard print.
Can you give us a brief summary of your musical theatre career?
My first insight into musical theatre was joining Phoenix Theatre Company for their production of Annie when I was about 12 as an orphan in the ensemble – Damian Bell was the MD which I enjoyed reminding him of when we worked together on DSP’s Our House last year (sorry, Damo!)
I joined the DSP ensemble after Uni, braved it to audition for a principal role with Maltby MTC a couple of years later and at some point in between I made the mistake of mentioning to DSP Clairewoman, Claire Rowley, that I’d like to try directing one day and the rest, as they say, is history!
When was your first show with DSP (formally DAOS), what was it, and how were you involved?
My first show with DSP was 9 to 5 in 2016, I was in the ensemble and I loved it – it was my first time on the CAST stage and it was such an amazing feeling.
Tell us about a memorable moment from your time with DSP.
I’m going to cheat and give you two.
1) Opening night of Legally Blonde, standing in the wings watching the incredible cast perform “Legally Blonde Remix”, the lights went green as the Irish dance sequence started and almost the entire cast was on stage – I was so unbelievably proud of every member of the cast and team. I thought I was having a secret little happy-cry to myself but Jack Hodgson spotted me!
2) About an hour after we found out that CAST had to close due to the pandemic during our tech-run for Our House, the cast were on stage singing their hearts out to no music, just being together while we still could. I’ve never been prouder to be part of DSP.
What has been your favourite production with DSP?
Legally Blonde might just take the crown; it was my first time directing and it’s such an upbeat show that you can’t help but smile through most of it. I love being on stage but it turns out watching your cast and team from the wings while they absolutely smash it is just as incredible a feeling!
What’s the biggest career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Always listen to Alan Burbanks, stage manager extraordinaire.
What’s your favourite show?
Made in Dagenham. From the moment I saw it at the Adelphi in London I was in love. I’m pretty sure you could drop me in any scene or song at any time and I could recite the whole thing. The message, the music, the story, the emotion - I just love everything about it. I’ve been lucky enough to be in the show twice now and I still can’t get enough of it.
What’s your dream show that you’d love to be a part of?
Spamalot: can you imagine how hilarious those rehearsals would be? Plus The Lady of the Lake has some utterly brilliant songs that I definitely can’t pull off but I enjoy trying!
Tell us about your process.
Anything that can be turned into a spreadsheet will be – mic plots, costume changes, scene plans, audition stuff - but then a lot of my side of things depends on the cast size and the individual person who ends up playing each role. Even if I have a clear idea of how I imagine each character, it can totally change if someone walks into the audition and blows us all away with a totally different take on things. That’s probably why I have so many spreadsheets; if I plan as much as I can for those behind-the-scenes things, I can be more flexible as things come up and surprise us along the way!
Who are your inspirations?
The wonderful Ian Walker. I met Ian when I auditioned for Made in Dagenham with Maltby Musical Theatre Company and his passion for what he does is so contagious. He really understands each of his characters and has a way of working with people to bring out his vision. He also has the most organised lever-arch folder I’ve ever seen which is very impressive!
What are you listening to at the moment?
It’s always my playlist of musicals to sing in the car. It’s got everything from Shrek to My Fair Lady and just about everything in between - there’s a bit of a bias towards Waitress songs on there though.
What’s the first show you saw?
Little Shop of Horrors with Sheridan Smith as Audrey – we hung around at stage door to say hello and I got a hug from Sheridan for being a “Donny Lass”!
What tickets do you have booked right now and what show are you seeing next?
The tour of Waitress, I can’t wait!
Tell us about a standout performance you’ve seen in an amateur production.
I’m going to have to go with our very own Stephen Snaith as Carlos in Legally Blonde. It’s a bit of a cheat as he was basically just playing his sassy self with an added accent but still; absolutely anyone and everyone who came to see the show gave him a special mention.
Tell us about a standout performance you’ve seen in a professional production.
Lucie Jones as Jenna in Waitress and Gemma Arterton as Rita in Made in Dagenham. It’s that ability to bring out beautiful, raw emotion one minute and have the audience laughing the next that just makes them two of the best performances I’ve ever seen.
Do you have a favourite line from a show?
Made in Dagenham, Prime Minister Harold Wilson: “So that’s a cupboard is it? [yes, it’s a stationery cupboard, sir] Well it certainly isn’t moving”
(I bet everyone else went for sensible, inspiring quotes didn’t they? Sorry!)
Which show do you think is overrated?
Les Miserables. I know the clue is in the name but it’s just so depressing!
Which show do you think doesn’t get the credit it deserves?
You’ve probably guessed it but Made in Dagenham – how it only got a six month run on the West End is beyond me.
What is your most treasured piece of memorabilia?
A Legally Blonde poster signed by my fabulous DSP cast.
