By Brian Robin
Six Questions for H. Adam Harris
Through his post-performance moderator duties for various actor talkbacks and other conversations, and his popular Act III: Advanced Scene Study and Characterization class in the Adult Conservatory, SCR audiences and Conservatory students are familiar with Artistic and Audience Engagement Associate H. Adam Harris.
Now, you can see Harris engage a different audience—the cast and creative team of The Incredible Book Eating Boy—as director of the Theatre for Young Audiences and Families production. The Incredible Book Eating Boy, book by Madhuri Shekar, music by Christian Magby, lyrics by Christian Albright and based on the book by Oliver Jeffers, runs Feb. 28-Mar. 16 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.
Previously, Harris directed the hilarious, two-person adaptation of Snow White in 2022. One of the area’s up-and-coming directors, Harris took time to talk about why he likes directing, what he’s learned since directing Snow White and what audiences can expect from The Incredible Book Eating Boy.
Q: You’re back in your “happy place” directing a production. Tell us what it is about directing that you really enjoy.
H. ADAM HARRIS: “Directing is about drawing out the best you can in your collaborators as you pursue a common goal. While it requires lots of prep, much of it is found in the moment. So, it means you have to be radically present in the room while still thinking of the future. It’s that wonderful, exhilarating juggle that I enjoy the most.”
Q: “It’s been two years since you directed a Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) show at SCR. What have you learned since then that you find applicable to this production?”
HAH: “I have a firmer sense of the local audiences that will see this production. The glee and wonder of SoCal students watching a play, many for the first time, is a great motivator. I have concrete examples of folks whose favorite theatre memory is an SCR TYA show. Those treasured moments keep me on my toes as we work to create this production.”
Q: “How familiar were you with The Incredible Book Eating Boy? Tell us about the challenges and opportunities this production presents to you as a director.”
HAH: “I was not familiar with the book before reading this musical adaptation. So, I experienced the first read with no preconceptions. The first challenge was finding the right cast; this is a tight ensemble of five people. With everyone except Henry playing multiple roles, you have to find the right combination of talented, spirited performers. But I am so excited to work with Scenic Designer Fred Kinney again on this production. The set he has designed will make you feel like you’re right back in the book.”
Q: You expressed your love for epic, imaginative, and intimate shows. Tell us how The Incredible Book Eating Boy checks all those boxes.
HAH: “It is epic due to its score and lyrics; this musical quickly hops through genres of music. It is imaginative in its theatrical approach to bringing a book to life (sometimes literally). And it is intimate, because it focuses on something so simply human—learning to take your time to do something well!”
Q: You are known as a director who naturally builds chemistry among the actors. Tell us how you do that and what you look for in an actor.
HAH: “I try to work with actors who are as generous in spirit as they are rigorous in the work. What we do takes a willingness to dig deep but also requires a sense of play. I focus on creating a room that centers each of us as an artist and invites our unique identities fully into the room.”
Q: What kind of experiences can audiences expect from this production?
HAH: “MUSIC! It’s a musical and the tunes are incredibly catchy and moving. Audiences will see actors playing multiple characters, the eating of books, and the true joy of theater.”