Sneak peek: Pug Bujeaud talks ‘A Spirited Manor’ by Theater Artists Olympia 

Rachel Benton

Just in time for the spooky season, Theater Artists Olympia (TAO) is opening its penny dreadful, "A Spirited Manor," this weekend! 

Looking for Halloween plans? Join TAO for a special Halloween performance on Oct. 31 at 9 p.m., that will feature a costume contest at 8 p.m. Come dressed in your Halloween best and get into the spooky spirit! 

Don’t ghost these talented artists or let FOMO (fear of missing out) haunt you! Plan ahead by viewing the event information in the JOLT event calendar listing. 

Whether you catch the show before, after or on Halloween itself, I invite you to join me for a conversation with Pug Bujeaud, director of "A Spirited Manor," who shares fascinating insights sure to build excitement among audiences!

Sneak peek 

Benton: How is production going?  

Bujeaud: “This play is definitely a heavy lift, but this group is really collaborative, dedicated, and very excited about pulling this show together. We are exploring traditional special effects for this show, including having somebody off to the side doing the sound effects.

"Rather than relying on recordings, the sounds of things like horse hooves will be done with coconuts. We may not do these traditional elements for the entire play, but we for sure went to start and end the play with that Victorian sensibility. This season is all about embracing theatricality and traditions from old theater.”  

Benton: Why is embracing these traditions so important right now? 

Bujeaud: “We are spending all of our time with our phones in our hands. Theater is beginning to diminish, and we even watch epic movies on teeny tiny screens. We’re all separated, and the theater is very communal. That's what this group, and Theater Artists Olympia, is: it's very much a community. 

“We want this show to be a little scary and a little funny because being afraid and laughing are the two things we as a species come together to do. You know, when you’re a little bit scared, you huddle in with your friends. When things are funny, you share it with your buddies.” 

Benton: How would you describe this show? 

Bujeaud: “This story is Agatha Christie meets 'Ghost' meets a parlor drama from the Victorian era.” 

Benton: What are some of the things you have discovered in this creative process?  

Bujeaud: “Well, the thing that’s always interesting during the creative process is how much things change over time. (You enter the show) with one idea of how things might be, then as you meet your auditioners, cast, and begin rehearsals, changes happen over time. 

“I always say when we go into rehearsal, which is always six weeks, that for the first two weeks, I want to hear every single idea you have. Two weeks after that, I want you to bring your ideas to me personally. The final two weeks, it’s time to shut up because it’s time to shape it and put on the final touches. I give that speech at the beginning of every show. I love working with all these creative people, and if I cast smartly, I know a lot of people with talent can bring new things to the table and broaden my horizons.” 

 Benton: Are there any specific lessons or messages in this show?  

Bujeaud: “This is not a message show — it’s a Halloween show, but because it’s me, I have to dig deeper than usual. The story is about a young woman named Clara, who has lost her husband. She keeps seeing him and is haunted by visions of him. We don’t see it, but she has been put away in an institution. We meet her after she has been released. Clara suffers from the PTSD that comes from being institutionalized, and during that, she is still seeing her husband. People wonder if she is crazy or really haunted? The answer is: she’s haunted, and it’s not her fault.  

“I’ve done other plays and readings about women from this era who were institutionalized and thinking of what they suffered weighs on my heart. When looking at this character, which could just be blown off, I see depth. I have emotional empathy for Clara because she’s a woman who's not being listened to. Women from the 1890s thru 1950s were heavily marginalized. This story is not about that, but it's one of the facets of the story that intrigues me.” 

Get your tickets before this show sells out! 

Rachel is a writer, arts advocate, performing arts enthusiast, and passionate about our beloved Thurston County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Music. You can enjoy more of Rachel's writings by visiting her website. All inquiries for Rachel can be submitted here.