In ‘Outward Bound,’ the Temple Theatre’s stalwart steward gets to play a dream role
By Donald Munro
Ron. Bates (who uses a period after his first name) has waited a long time to play the character of Scrubby in the mysterious play “Outward Bound.” One of the great joys of community theater is that if you work hard enough and are persistent, you just might get to play the role of your dreams.
The production, at Hanford’s Temple Theatre, continues for a second weekend. It closes Sept. 8. I talked with Bates by phone and email about the show.
Q: You worked hard to have “Outward Bound” selected. When did you first “fall” for this play, and how did you lobby to get it done?
A: I first saw “Outward Bound” performed in Cambria in 2012. I knew immediately that I wanted to play the part of Scrubby, the steward. I submitted the play for consideration the following season and was told that we wanted stay with lighter and more well known plays. Over the years I became a board member and a member of the script committee and exposed my fellow committee members to the play and the committee recommended that it be presented this season.
Q: We don’t want to give away too much about the plot of this 100-year-old play, other than it’s a sort of a mystery: Seven passengers find themselves on an ocean liner, but they don’t know why they are there or where they are going. Without giving any spoilers, what is it about this play that attracted you to it?
A: I was attracted to the reminder of how we should treat each other, a reminder sorely needed these days. My character, Scrubby, was a major attraction and the chance to do a period piece (1930s).
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Q: Is this production set in the 1920s? Or does it have a more modern sensibility?
A: Our director, Hugh Munro Neely, chose to place it in the 1930s in the interest of exposing especially a younger audience to a past era.
Q: What kind of person is Scrubby? How does he get along with the passengers?
A: Scrubby is a kind (but no nonsense) soul whose efforts are to be a help and a comfort. He gets along well with those who will get along with him. He cares about his passengers.
Q: What was your first show for the Temple Theatre? How long ago was that? How many shows have you done there?
A: I did my first show with the Temple Theatre in 1983. In fact, we just ran across an original script from that show with my name in it. Over the years I’ve done over 40 shows most with Kings Players but a few with Visalia Players, Lemoore Cultural Art Festival, and one with Second Space.
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Q: When you walk into the theater — into the dressing rooms, say — are you ever flooded by memories? Or are all those other shows just in the past?
A: There is only so much “M” space so, though I have terrific memories as a whole, they come more to mind when reminiscing with fellow actors about our times together.
Q: Looking back, how did being involved in community theater change your life?
A: It fulfilled the dream of a 9 year-old kid who wanted to be an actor. It gave me the opportunity meet and perform with some of the finest actors in community theatre. And to form relationships with audience members who have attended our shows for years. Each new show I’m in is kind of a mini-reunion.
Q: Anything else you’d like to say?
I hope everyone will get out with their neighbors and experience live theater.
