In high school theater, collaboration between the cast and crew is what ties a production together. For the Vosburgh siblings, teamwork comes with a family twist. With junior Gracie Vosburgh working backstage and sophomore Jack Vosburgh performing for the audience, their blended perspectives help them experience both sides of show business.
With theater being mandatory in elementary school, Jack Vosburgh started his acting career with the fear of performing in front of people. “I was really terrified to be in theater, but the second I did it, it felt right, so I stuck with it,” he noted. Jack Vosburgh took a break throughout middle school, but gave it another shot freshman year. He explained, “I decided to try [theater] again and it was like a whole new wave for me.”
Working her way up in backstage leadership from freshman year, Gracie Vosburgh landed the role of student director for the production of “Lord of the Flies.” With Jack Vosburgh cast as the main lead, the siblings had to navigate their relationship whilst keeping professional. “When Jack and I step into the black box for rehearsals, being siblings doesn’t affect how we treat each other. I still treat him the same way I treat my other actors. It is nice though to have a sibling in theater to lean on. Especially since we both have different perspectives, we get to fully experience every aspect of theater through each other,” she commented.
When creative challenges present themself, the two have both rehearsal and time at home to work through them. Jack Vosburgh expressed, “It’s handy because anytime I think of something that I would normally have to wait in order to ask the director, I can just walk downstairs and we can go over it.” By sharing their opinions, the Vosburgh’s have found a way to communicate with one another. “We bounce ideas off of each other and if he’s ever confused by anything, I can take it up with our tech crews and clarify for him and the other actors,” Gracie Vosburgh added.
One way the siblings utilize their relationship in the theater world is by giving truthful feedback and advice to each other. Gracie Vosburgh noted, “Most of the time, we are on the same wavelength, so we know what the other is thinking. It makes us stronger in each of our respective jobs.” Although they feel comfortable enough to be honest with each other, the pair get into tiffs every so often. “We are decently close, so every time we get angry at each other, we find a way to fix it,” she commented.
When the two were cast with major roles in the production of “Lord of the Flies,” they acknowledged how the others’ strengths would help with the show. “When I found out that she got the part of student director, I was so proud of her because I knew she worked hard for it…Gracie has a really good strength in voicing what she is visualizing, which is important as a director,” Jack Vosburgh commented. Gracie Vosburgh watched her brother round out his skillset over the time they worked on “Lord of the Flies.” She noted, “Most of his strengths come from growth over the years. In this production specifically, I see him becoming a better dramatic actor and how he’s worked through that.”
By making sure to communicate with one another through the ups and downs, the Vosburgh’s are able to discuss any differences that may come up. “Communication is the most important thing,” Jack Vosburgh stated. Gracie Vosburgh added, “It sounds very sappy and obvious, but [communication] really is the strongest thing. If we have issues with each other, we talk it out.”
For motivation, Jack Vosburgh noted that encouragement and words of affirmation are helpful. Gracie Vosburgh remarked, “He’s motivated by food as well.” He declared, “If you promise Taco Bell, I’ll do anything.”
A fond memory for the two occurred during one of the last productions of last year. Gracie Vosburgh retold, “At the end of Mamma Mia, it was senior night, and he started bawling like a little baby. So I told him to come here and gave him a big hug.” During rehearsals for “Lord of the Flies”, the pair had their very own wrestling match. “I was trying to choreograph one of the fighting scenes between [characters] Ralph and Jack and it was not clicking when I tried to explain it verbally. So I just started wrestling with him and he was like pulling my hair and we were just fighting. But it got the point across,” she described.
As advice to any siblings that experience theater together, the duo commented that remembering that theater is a creative outlet for each person to enjoy is what is most important. Jack Vosburgh noted, “No matter what, put whatever conflicts you may have behind you because even though they are your sibling, in theater they are their own creative person and individual. Don’t let anything else affect that, and just treat them with the same respect you have for other people.” Gracie Vosburgh and Jack Vosburgh set an example for future sibling pairs in the theater world by letting each other shine on and off the stage. Gracie Vosburgh added, “Be their sibling and be supportive, but also give them the space to be their own creative individual.”