"My Colors are Blush & Bashful!"

Dylan Hurst

As they prep, we sat down with Steel Magnolias' Director Dylan Hurst & Assistant Director Tristan Waid to ask them a few questions about theatre and the process of building this show.

- How did you become interested in theatre? 

Tristan: Watching my big brother while he was a student at JSU. 

Dylan: I became interested in theatre when I was 11 and my mom decided to help our backstage for CAST’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Watching the show come together from the first table read to the final production was so amazing to me I knew I had to be a part of the magic. 

- Who are some actors you most admire? 

Tristan: Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, and Lily Tomlin. 

Dylan: I admire anyone who can make a career out of acting. It’s not an easy thing to do and it requires a lot of hard work into something that may never pay of. But I have a sweet spot for old Hollywood performers like Judy Garland and James Dean. 

- What's been your favorite part of building Steel Magnolias? Do you have a favorite moment or scene? 

Tristan: I enjoyed working on the first scene of Act 2 when Ouiser doesn't get that her grandson is gay. 

Tristan Waid

Dylan: My favorite part of the Steel Magnolias process has been directing the more emotional scenes. It’s not often in community theatre that we get to dramatic shows. Most of the time people prefer to see comedies so it’s always great when as an actor or director you get to dive in to raw human emotion. M’Lynn’s pivotal emotional break has been a very therapeutic thing to direct for me personally. 

My favorite moment in our production of Steel Magnolias has to be the end of the first scene of Act 2. It’s a fun scene with a lot of heart and when Shelby leaves the beauty shop at the end and the lights begin to fade and all the ladies look as she leaves just touches my heart. It’s almost like a group of mothers watching their child leave for the first day of kindergarten and something about that sense of family just really makes you smile.

- Who should and why should folks come see the show? 

Tristan: It's a beautiful story of friendship and a great visual of the dynamic relationship of a mother and daughter.

Dylan: Everyone should come see Steel Magnolias! I think it gets cornered as a show that only appeals to women but that’s not the case. It’s a show that centers around strong female characters and how they cope with the things life throws at you. It’s a show about family, friendship, and community and how we lean on each other in times of joy and sorrow. That’s something that is universal and everyone can relate to. 

Come get your hair and nails done at Truvy's, with shows Thursday, November 29, Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1 at 7:30 PM, and there's a show Sunday, December 2, at 2:30 P.M., performed at the McClellan Theatre.