Bria Walker is back in the wings making her directorial debut with a musical as Pitt Theatre continues its mainstage season with its recently ended production of “Avenue Q,” a coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood; better still, think of “Avenue Q” as an inebriated hipster version of Sesame Street. The musical is notable for its use of puppets, animated by unconcealed puppeteers, alongside human actors.
That’s quite the debut. This production was presented to her as a challenge. “I’m on faculty at the University of Pittsburgh in the Theatre Arts Department. Annmarie Duggan, chair of the theatre department, was pretty persistent with me. She very much wanted me to direct on the main stage and brought this show to my attention. I’ve always been the kind of person who loves a challenge (especially if it helps me discover new facets of myself.) So, I took the challenge.”
The role of director is very challenging. “Everyone comes with their own understanding of what a director does. I believe a director’s job (my job) is to tell the story in the most efficient and effective way possible. I must be true to the playwright’s words. The text is the basis for everything,” says Walker.
“As far as grunt work is concerned…I could write a book but I will only give one example. A hard aspect of the job is having to be “on” all of the time. You are constantly communicating with actors, the creative team, and the producers. Everyone needs something from you and you must be willing to communicate with anyone at any given time. It’s tough but you always need to be ready,” she says.
“On a personal note, ‘Avenue Q’ is geared towards my generation who grew up on Sesame Street, a show that perfectly blends being an adult with the joys of growing up.” says Walker. “It’s a great show for Pitt to do because it’s hilarious, there are tons of meaty roles, and college students will be able to identify with a lot of the characters. Puppets and politically incorrect lyrics….you know you want to see that!”
Born in California and growing up in western Pennsylvania, Walker became involved in many theatre projects around the region such as Pittsburgh Musical Theatre (then known as Gargaro Musical Theatre), and Encore Summer Musical Theatre. She says she was inspired to become an actress after watching her uncle, actor Donald Marshall, perform the title role in “Paul Robeson” in 1995 at City Theatre. While in high school, Walker, from Beaver County, Pa., received the Henry Mancini award for Best Actress and was one of 30 acting students to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School of the Arts.
Walker considers herself an actress, singer, writer and teaching-artist who strives “to create work that is both entertaining and socially relevant.”
After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Wright State University, she attended the National Theatre Academy in Denver, Colo., where she received her Master of Fine Arts. After two years in New York City, Walker made her way to Pittsburgh. She is currently a visiting guest lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Theatre Arts.
Walker first hit the local radar in 2011 as Shaunta Iyun in City Theatre’s production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s “Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet” earning critical praise. Later she was selected as a founding member of the August Wilson Center’s Theatre Ensemble. Her stand-out performances include the first-ever all-female staged reading of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” (directed by ensemble co-member Vanessa German); “August in August,” a selection of excerpts from Wilson’s iconic Pittsburgh Century Cycle directed by Mark Clayton Southers and Stephen McKinley Henderson; and in the world premiere of Samm Art Williams’ “Last of the Line” opposite Homestead native Montae Russell.
Last season saw Walker in the title role for Pitt’s production of Suzan Lori-Parks’ “Venus,” based on the true tragic tale of the exploitation and demise of Sarah/Saartje Baartman (aka the Venus Hottentot), which the Post-Gazette cited as one of the year’s best performances.
For City Theater, Walker appeared in “The Skivvies,” a musical mash-up and she participated in “Momentum,” an annual festival of new works in various stages of development, with a staged reading of a new play by the prolific Daniel Beaty, “Mr. Joy,” which will make its world premiere as a full production in City Theatre’s 2014-2015 season.
And in late breaking news, Walker will soon begin shooting a local-indy film titled “The Beat Goes On.”
As she logs another credential to her curricula vita and profile, Walker continues towards career in theatre she also ponders her options. “At this point in my life, I prefer acting. Who’s to say how that may change as I get older and get more directing experience under my belt. I may prefer directing next year. Who knows! Acting and directing are equally challenging for me. I’ve been acting way longer than I’ve been directing so I have much more to learn when it comes to directing.”
