Play explores 'Art' of friendship
Angela Bauer, abauer@myjournalcourier.com
Chris Proffitt (from left), Kory Shepard and Jimmy Proffitt rehearse a scene from "Art," a play about friendship, at Playhouse on the Square.
Defining "art" — or, possibly "Art," with a capital A — can be a tricky business.
Figuring out how to maintain a long-term friendship as the participants grow, mature, change can be tricky, too.
And that's the point of "Art," a play being staged Friday through Sunday at Playhouse on the Square in downtown Jacksonville.
"Three friends who have known each other for about 15 years come to a point in their relationship where they change as people and their friendship comes under evaluation because one of them buys a painting that they disagree on," director Chris Proffitt said. "It forces them to reevaluate their friendship."
The theme of the play is ideal for those involved, Proffitt said, noting that the cast consists of him and his two best friends — his brother, Jimmy Proffitt, and Kory Shepard.
"Kory found this show about three friends and he told me about it," Chris Proffitt said. Chris Proffitt hadn't directed for a while and was looking for a script. He had planned to direct another show at the Playhouse, but that fell through, he said.
"It was a perfect time to try this one," he said.
The small cast size and their familiarity with one another heading into rehearsals also seemed like an easy way to dip his toes back into the directing waters, he said.
"I thought with my brother and my good friend that it would be easy," Chris Proffitt said. "But it's different. You're still their friend and you feel like you can direct. But it's weird to give a friend a direction, an order.
"It was a feeling-out process. It just took a little time to learn how to work with each other in that way."
Still, the trio so far has managed the ups and downs, Chris Proffitt said.
"Any issues we have we let go quickly," he said. "Our relationship is more important than minor differences in the rehearsal process."
That is largely the point of the entire play, a comedy with some dramatic moments, Chris Proffitt said.
"We don't have to judge people so harshly," he said. "I hope people will come to the show and get some laughs and maybe a different perspective on their own relationships."
"Art" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Playhouse on the Square in downtown Jacksonville. Tickets, which are $10, are available in advance at Our Town Books and at the door.
Angela Bauer
Angela Bauer has been a copy editor and lifestyles editor for the Jacksonville Journal-Courier since July 2012. The Evansville, Indiana, native grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, and interned with the Paducah Sun, as well as being a reporter, lifestyles editor and copy editor for papers in Kentucky and Florida. She spends her (limited) free time baking, quilting and reading; and enjoys the AP Stylebook more than (she's told) one should. She's always on the lookout for a quality mug of hot chocolate.