THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 19, 1995 TAG: 9502190045
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
For Gina Miller, ``Picnic'' is a picnic.
It is her first play, she said, ``and it's a lot of fun. I enjoy working with George Spence and learning from all the veterans.''
The veterans and the newcomers will be onstage at Manteo Middle School on Feb. 23 to 26 and March 2 to 4.
Spence is director of William Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning play being presented by the Theatre of Dare.
Miller credits her husband with encouraging her to try for a role in the production, which has a cast of 16.
``I didn't feel there was any part for me - so many young girls,'' Miller said, ``but I read the part of Madge and got it.''
The reason for her surprise, she said, is that ``Madge is an 18-year-old. I'm 32.''
Her husband was a tad worried about the part, asking: ``Doesn't she have some kissing scenes?''
Indeed. In the movie, Kim Novak had those scenes.
Miller said her husband understands that the show must go on.
``He's really been supportive,'' Miller said. ``He takes care of the kids. He's right.''
He is Bruce Miller. The kids are 3-year-old Carly and 1-year-old Matthew.
Bruce, a child-nutrition specialist for the Dare County Board of Education, recently passed his certified public accountant examination.
His actress wife is a housewife, who spent eight years working for C.I. Travel in Norfolk.
``I participated in some of their commercials,'' Miller said. ``On one, which I wrote, I talked about travel insurance.''
She was interviewed on the defunct ``Good Morning, Hampton Roads'' - the subject was travel - and also appeared, albeit wordlessly, on a television spot on Beach TV for Clara's Seafood.
Miller, a Hampton Roads native, was born in Norfolk and grew up in Chesapeake, graduating from Great Bridge High School, where she was a majorette.
In junior high she had been a cheerleader. In elementary, junior high and high school she was constantly involved in music and student government.
``I was always interested in plays. My husband encouraged me to do `Picnic,' '' Miller said. ``At rehearsals I absorb, I watch, I'm fascinated.''
``In church, the preacher asked for women to do a short Easter drama,'' Miller said. ``I rushed over - said, I'll do it.
``I want to do some more plays,'' said Miller, who learned about ``Picnic'' by reading the play in a book from the library, later joining her fellow performers in watching the William Holden movie.
The plot is the eternal triangle: two guys in love with the same gal, one of the men a drifter passing through a small Kansas town.
``Picnic,'' a fascinating, atmospheric, moody piece also features these Theatre of Dare performers:
Dora, Sidney and Preston Bounds - mom, dad, son.
Three teachers. Diane Donato teaches fourth grade at Kitty Hawk Elementary; Mr. and Mrs. Bounds are both at Manteo Middle School. He is an instructor, she is Theater Arts teacher.
The teachers are sharing the stage with students Brooke Burkhart, Manteo Middle, and Jim Sheetz III, First Flight Middle School. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
DREW C. WILSON/Staff
George Spence is the director of William Inge's Pulitzer
Prize-winning play ``Picnic,'' to be presented at Manteo Middle
School starting this week. Gina Miller is in a starring role.
by CNB