When Amy Lauter Sells Out, Audiences Buy It!

Amy Lauter plays Mrs. Stanfield
and all the single ladies

When Charles Dickens hands out the roles in our version of A Christmas Carol, he asks Mrs. Stanfield, played by Amy Lauter, to portray “all the young and available ladies.”  Amy embraces this task with enthusiasm: selling it, selling out, and never selling herself short.  For example, when director Nancy Cooper first encouraged Amy to play her Charwoman character as crazy, Amy admits that her characterization was not working well:  “So I was trying to think of a way to be uninhibited and ‘drunk’ is what came out. Nancy words were, ‘if you are gonna play it that way – give it your all – sell it,’ so that is what I have been working towards.”  Amy has been so convincing as a drunk that even an accidental fall on opening night seemed so in character that the audience didn’t even catch on.

Amy’s other characters are equally charming, playful and distinctive.  She plays hide-and-seek as Bob Cratchit’s daughter Martha. As Mrs. Stanfield, she teases husband “Stanny” by plucking away his violin bow, claiming that “several alley cats would disagree” that he plays a fine fiddle.  And she practically steals the show as Mrs. Fred’s Sister, whose infectious laughter is as unique as her name is generic.  Amy came up with Mrs. Fred's Sister's giddy laugh at Nancy’s suggestion and made it her own:  “The laugh is a little contagious – once I got it, I got it, and love doing it. Fred’s parlor scene started out feeling like a bit of a ‘throwaway’ – but has blossomed into one of the most enjoyable scenes in the show.”

Amy’s favorite character is Belle, who was engaged to the young Ebenezer Scrooge: “I really like playing Belle, as she is pivotal in the ultimate destruction of Scrooge’s personality and lifestyle. I can relate to her on a better level than the other characters as well… so I find her a little easier to understand.”  Amy’s portrayal of Belle as a young woman who is torn between her love for Ebenezer and her need to stay true to herself is truly one of the most poignant moments of the play.  We begin to understand how the loss of that love transformed young Ebenezer into bitter old Scrooge.

To watch Amy on stage, it is easy to believe that she is really having fun: “I have been having a ball on stage – this is truly an ensemble show – and we have a very solid cast and crew. In terms of the overall experience, I have really enjoyed being a part of this cast – and can honestly say it has been one of the best casts I have been a part of in terms of chemistry and balance. We are all constantly laughing and enjoying each other’s company backstage – I think we can all say that. I have also appreciated the way the kids have all been treated as well – all of the adults in the show have treated them as equals – cast mates.

As Bob Cratchit would say, “That’s a high compliment indeed,” as Amy is a veteran of several Barn shows, including Gypsy, Proof, Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma and It’s a Wonderful Life. She recently produced To Kill A Mockingbird and has also directed shows including Miracle on 34^th Street and Chapter Two. 

Tickets for the remaining performances of A Christmas Carol (December 15^th through 18^th) are available at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".