Ciao, Bella!
By Gwen Leahy
Jin Hi Soucy Rand is currently the talk of the town after her stellar preview performance of “Bella,” an autobiographical one-woman show she is taking to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August! Directed by Karla Knudsen, stage managed by Erin Muller, and backed by a stellar team of Savannah thespians, it is truly an honor not only for the “Bella” troupe, but for the entirety of the Savannah performing arts community that one of our own has been selected to perform at one of the the most globally renowned performing arts festivals.
However, this prestige and privilege have not come easily. This masterpiece in raw storytelling has taken over two years of production to make it to the stage. Broaching topics from ongoing cancer diagnoses, the importance of family, and why you should never date a big Hollywood producer, Jin Hi has taken her personal mantra and made it tangible in hopes of inspiring all of those around her: “If I can breathe, I can create.”
I had the privilege of speaking with stage manager Erin Muller about her experience working to bring this production to its feet. With the performance running just over an hour, the stage only occupied by Jin Hi and her anthropomorphic crutches, this show is a beast to perform not just in the technical sense of memorizing the script and sticking to the rehearsed flow, but also in keeping the dialogue organic and relatable to the audience; that is where the collaboration and camaraderie of the “Bella” Team comes into the spotlight. Muller says, “One of my favorite parts of working on this show has been the creative process itself. There’s something truly magical about the collaboration; everyone is so supportive, and we’re constantly challenging each other to make the work stronger, more honest, and more impactful.” Most of the “Bella” team has been close friends with Jin Hi for decades, which makes the substance of the show even more hard-hitting for everyone involved. Muller recounted her twenty year friendship with Jin Hi, stating “Through this process, I’ve learned new layers of her life that have deepened my appreciation for her and the story we’re telling. I think audiences will leave feeling inspired, hopeful, and more connected to Jin Hi.”
With only months to put final touches on the show before taking it to Edinburgh, the Savannah performing arts community has shown their support in staggering numbers. From offering assistance to the production team, to attending the preview performance, to hosting fundraisers to help bankroll the entire tech team’s attendance at the festival itself, this process has been nothing less than a love letter to Jin Hi, and has spoken to the magnitude of her impact on our community over the years. However, there is still so much more that can be done. Though their Kickstarter campaign recently surpassed their posted goal, this benchmark was only to cover airfare, lodging, and enrollment in the festival itself… But let’s be honest, who wants to go to Edinburgh just to eat PB&J in the hotel rooms? We at Onstage Savannah implore everyone who has been influenced by Jin Hi’s generosity and stick-to-it-iveness to continue showering her and her team with love over the coming months. Send your words of encouragement, offer your assistance, and contribute to the Kickstarter (tinyurl.com/bellajinhi)! Beyond all of that, though, fall in love with theatre. Remember, if you have breath, you can create, support, and encourage beauty in your life. Ciao, bella!