Meet the ESCAPED ALONE Cast: Elizabeth Benedict

An interview with Elizabeth Benedict about Sally from Escaped Alone.

Streaming until November 15th.

What was your favorite moment from Escaped Alone process? What was the most challenging part of the process?

My favorite moments on Escaped Alone -- or really with any play, are in rehearsal, I include the workshop in that process. I am one of those actors who would happily rehearse forever.  I love being able to try out all kinds of different ways of doing things and, even more, I love responding to how the other actors change. It's very alive,  a bit like working without a net, in that you don't necessarily know where a particular choice might take you. With Escaped Alone we had Loretta to guide and nudge and inspire us. She created an atmosphere that was both safe and very exciting. I don't think we could have had a better mix of director and actors. The five of us were only together for a week, I can't speak for anyone else, but I felt very bonded to everyone. Another gift of a rehearsal period well run.

What is your favorite line in the play? (it doesn't have to be your character's line)

My favorite line is hard to pin down -- this is Caryl Churchill after all and she has no shortage of wonderful lines. That said, I am absolutely in love with: "We do shock easier." I think it's Lena's line and it makes me laugh every time.

Have your ideas about what is most essential to theatre/theatremaking evolved in this moment when theatres are closed?

The most essential thing for any act of creativity is to keep doing it. I am very proud of my profession and the way people are figuring out how to keep making theatre -- no, it's not the same as being IN the theatre, but it's a whole lot better than nothing and often beats out a lot of Netflix, at least in my book. I was amazed to discover how moving it is to have someone whisper a story in your ear, which is kind of what we are doing in Escaped Alone.