The Auburn Players are lucky to have Bob Frame

Bob Frame has been involved with the Auburn Players since he moved into town in 1979 and has worked on almost every production since. He has served many roles for our organization including the role of director, technical director, member of the Board of Directors, and when we are very lucky- leading man. Frame is a completely indispensable member of our organization because he is the professional among those of us who love the theater but are amateurs.

Frame is very active in The Theatre Association of New York State. He is Past President as well as one of the organization’s Roving Adjudicators. He is Director of Theatre Operations at Cayuga Community College where he teaches the theatre courses and directs the plays.

Bob will playing the iconic role of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. When I asked him what was special about this particular role and how he would approach it, this is what he had to say:

The character of Atticus is iconic for two reason- To Kill a Mockingbird is a book read by millions of students and Gregory Peck’s Oscar winning portrayal in the 1962 movie which is said to have inspired generations of lawyers, civil rights crusaders, and fathers to be the best they can be.

It is a daunting task to tackle such a role because everyone has an opinion of the character; someone that we would like to know and be friends with. A gentle, caring man yet unafraid to show real courage by tackling the scourge of bigotry in 1935 Maycomb, Alabama. A man to look up to due to the strength of his convictions. And while this man is not a modern father who gets down to play with and be friends to his children, his love for them knows no bounds as he takes advantage of every teaching moments to guide them on the path to becoming good adults; a role model of the type rarely seen today.

I am approaching this role as I do all the roles I undertake- learn the playwright’s words; find the meaning and subtext under them so that I can share them with the audience. I look at the totality of the character of Atticus Finch and explore how I can take the playwright’s conception of the character on paper and present a real, living human being that the audience can empathize with; as Atticus says “step inside his skin and walk around a bit”

Come see To Kill a Mockingbird at the Irene Bisgrove Theatre at Cayuga Community College April 4th, 5th and 6th.