Quarantine Q/A: PETER J. HILL

Peter J. Hill and cast in Fountain Hills Theater's Man of La Mancha
photo by Stephanie ‘Tippi’ Hart

by Gil Benbrook

Our series of "Quarantine" interviews, which focus on individuals involved in the Phoenix theatre community and their reaction to our current stay at home mandate, continues today with a conversation with local actor, director and Fountain Hills Theater's Artistic & Technical Director Director Peter J. Hill

COVID-19 has affected us all in many ways. The theatre community has been harshly impacted with show closures and postponements. We hope this series of daily interviews will be a way to provide some personal insight to what people are doing during this period of time while highlighting familiar individuals from the theatre community in town.

Was there a show you were in or involved with or preparing for when the stay at home order started?  

Hill: "Oh yeah.  We had four productions in various stages!  We were in the second weekend of Footlight Frenzy performances, in final rehearsals for the Youth Theater production of WhoWhatWhenWhereHow, in the process of casting for Million Dollar Quartet and 2 days from auditions for Suds."

How have you been personally impacted by our current situation?  

"Like seemingly everyone else, our staff was furloughed.  My Board of Directors was very helpful, and for the first month we were still employed, but on a part time basis.  Since then the Board has continued to work very hard and achieved a PPP loan so, as of today, much of the staff will be returning to work!  Yay, Board of Directors!"

How has your daily routine changed?  

"How has it not?  The alarm clock has been consigned to the spiders.  A shower has become optional.  Shaving's a thing of the past.  The words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. have lost all meaning.  And a question and answer poll from Gil Benbrook has become the highlight of the week!"

What do you feel will be different when theater restarts?  

"My age and weight!   Okay, this is the million dollar question, isn't it?  If this passes like a flu and we can relax, I am hoping that people will venture out, support businesses, restaurants and, of course, theaters.  But by the very nature of what makes theater unique and spontaneous, it is the gathering of - hopefully - more than 10 people! That makes it a scary proposition.  Maybe the biggest change will be not seeing the reflective glint of the senior audience's eyeglasses, but the reflective glow from their facemasks!"

When do you think that’ll happen?  

"Seems to get pushed back every day, doesn't it?  I'm not going to guess, but we're prepping even now.  When the quarantine is lifted, FHT will be ready and open as soon as we possibly can.  Ummm...season tickets are on sale through the website."

What have you been doing to stay creative during this time?  

"I've been prepping the new season and catching up on repair and restoration of the theater facility.   I've also learned that alcohol is not just for weekends any more!"

Any binge tv shows you’ve watched?  

"Sopranos, The Haunting of Hill House, Broadchurch, Tiger King (God forgive me) and too, too many others"

Any new hobbies you’ve taken on?  

"Not a one.  Pathetic, right?  Wait!  Does binge eating count?  Actually, I've become startlingly proficient at solitary drinking!"

How has this experience changed you? 

"I have realized that there is nothing worse than being trapped inside the house.  Well, that is until I realized that my wife, Noel is trapped inside the house...with me!"

What is the one thing you’re most looking forward to when the stay at home order is lifted? 

"Any kind of face to face interaction!  Friends.  Enemies.  The homeless.  Whatever!!!  See you at the theater!"