Creative Leaders - An Interview with The Team behind Hong Kong Live Play Readings

Today we have an interview with the team responsible for Hong Kong Live Play Readings, bringing actors in the US and HK together to perform plays online. 



Could you let us know who you are please?


We are Rebecca J Merritt and Davina Lee Carrete and we are freelance artists in Hong Kong.

You both run Hong Kong Live Play Readings – a group on Facebook. And can you let us know how HKLPR got started?


Davina: Rebecca told me about her actor friends in the US reading plays together online and I said we should do that here! We created a Facebook group, added performers we know in Hong Kong and Rebecca then invited her pals in the US. We have been reading together for the last month.

Rebecca: Davina actually mentioned to me she wanted to read some plays online with friends and has been doing that to test scripts and projects for Treasure Chest Theatre once the Pandemic ends. I mentioned it in my stories and then my friend who’s an actor in Chicago added me to his reading group “Shakespeare Play Readings”. They read three plays a week. I listened in on many reads and participated as well. So I started the FB group and it’s open to actors around the world. I know that all my US friends are in lockdown with nothing to do, it’s a great time to connect and work together. We do one play read every weekend – Saturday evenings in the US and Sunday mornings in Hong Kong.

What makes HKLPR different to other play reading groups that you know of?


Davina: I read with friends sometimes; however, there isn't a regular group open to all that I know of. The most important aspect for me is meeting actors I haven’t worked with in Hong Kong and getting to know other professionals in the US. Its free, fun and live – an element of a show that we are all missing during this pandemic.


Rebecca: We stream it live because I believe art should be shared and although many professional companies make their shows public for a week, it’s more personal when you know people in the play. Live makes it more on edge - mistakes and people freezing, people losing internet connection, sound cues missed! It gives an adrenaline rush to the actors and sometimes they get nervous because they know it’s live. It’s much different than a private read. Davina and I encourage props and costume. We’ve had letters passing across screens, sword fights and murder! I also plug everyone’s social media sites (something never mentioned in theatre companies programs) and try to help promote artists I know. It’s the perfect time to connect with artists around the world, to build and expand the global and local theatre community and help promote the arts!!! Art should be shared, if it can be!

Is HKLPR exclusively for older performers?

Davina: There’s no minimum age, anyone can join. 


Rebecca: Every time you are cast in a professional play, the first day is spent doing a “table read”. This is the first read through and all actors sit and read the entire play. During a table read, the play is discussed and costumes, lights, and set design are shared. Every actor, young or old, should be able to do a full play read. It’s also a great way to learn and understand more plays and get more practice! Actors should also know how to do cold reads, especially if they’re interested in doing voice over work! Getting a script and reading it without seeing it before or having any practice! 

Do you have anything in store for younger viewers?

Davina: Actually next Friday a group of actors will be reading a children’s script especially for bored kids at home. It will be live at 4:00 on the Hong Kong Live Play Reading Page.

Is there anything else you'd like to let people know?

Rebecca: We’ve just stared this, but we are trying to raise funds for artistrelief.org and artsforillinois.org. All the professional actors in the US are out of work right now. They are really struggling and those with restaurant jobs are out of those as well. I encourage all actors to take the leap and read with us! There is no judgement, there is no critique or critics reviewing us. It’s just some artists that wanted to read a play and reach out to our friends effected by the pandemic around the world and at the same time build the local community and provide our local actors an opportunity to work with professionals!

Hong Kong Live Play Readings Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/hklivereadings/