InTouch with Southern Kentucky March 2020 | Page 13

“The process has certainly been invigorating. The role of Guildenstern is perhaps the largest role I’ve ever had, in terms of line load, so it was a challenge for this rusty old actor.” Steve Cleberg “Jade is one of the best directors with who I have ever worked,” he added. “She is certainly better than I am. What a gratifying experience to have a former student surpass you. A teacher can’t help but feel optimistic about the future when that happens.” That’s high praise, but it will be hard to surpass Cleberg, certainly at SCC where he is wrapping up a stay of 34 years. He arrived in 1986 — “with my family in tow,” he noted — from his home state of South Dakota. There wasn’t much a cultur- al shock, he said, as both are rural areas, and he found it easy to make himself at home in Pulaski County. One of his most enduring legacies was the “Radio Suspense Theatre” series. While Cleberg certainly did his share of classic plays, he also created his own unique innovation, which transported audiences into the 1930s and ‘40s world of old- time radio dramas. The production would introduce the cast through a series of backstage mini-plots, and then see them step up to the mic and read from scripts the type of chilling mysteries once common entertainment in the era before television. Cleberg staged several “episodes” of this series, and even- tually got it published — now, the- atre groups and schools all over the country are doing “Radio Suspense M arch 2020 Theatre” shows, something which started right here in Somerset, Ky. Cleberg’s final fall show, usually the biggest of the school year, took place last November — and so ap- propriately, it was titled “Radio Sus- pense Theatre: The Final Episode.” The characters prepared to move on in a changing world, and with it being the curtain call for Cleberg himself, the atmosphere surround- ing the production felt especially poignant. “The experience was surreal, to say the least,” said Cleberg. “I’ve done revivals before but this one brought John Alexander back to the role of Morty (Alexander was the ac- tor who originated the role) as well as others. I also was able to cast students from my Theatre class. The mixture of past and present permeated the process. “During one performance I came down the stairs from my observa- tion spot like I always do only this time the audience and cast applaud- ed,” he added. “I’m not one for public shows of emotion but that got to me.” Of course, Cleberg isn’t going to just fade away. Even in retirement, he’s looking to stay connected to his passion for the theatrical arts. “I plan to finish a one man show that I began as a college student entitled, ‘Burbage: Shakespeare’s Leading Actor,’” said Cleberg. “The premise: It’s three months after Shakespeare’s death and his leading actor, who originated the roles of Richard the Third, Hamlet, Othello, MacBeth and King Lear takes to the stage to perform a tribute to his friend, in fear that he will fall into obscurity. There are many great stories to be told about how the- atre evolved during this time. It will also be fun to have this character demonstrate how Shakespeare was a poet who wrote for the theatre.” Cleberg also plans on finishing a book that has been in the makings for over 40 years outlining a tech- nique for line memorization, and, naturally spending quality time with his children and grandkids. In a sense though, all of Cleberg’s students and actors over the years have been his children — born from a director’s mind and brought to life on the stage. It’s been a rich career for Cleberg, and it’s hard for him to single out any one aspect that belongs in the spotlight. “I think it’s fair to say that there isn’t a single most meaningful part. It’s all been meaningful,” he said. “I guess I would say that all the extraordinary people with whom I have worked will always provide my most profound memories.” I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky • 13