As spring is beginning to thaw Chicago at last, so is its theater scene with an array of incredible productions. They are rapidly reinvigorating the city and providing entertainment for those who are new to theater and those who are seasoned as well. The DePaulia spoke with actor, director and DePaul alumni, Kevin Christopher Fox, who is directing the Seanacha’ÛÎ_ Theatre Company’s newest production, “Lay Me Down Softly.”

The DePaulia: Can you tell me a little bit about the show in general?

Kevin Christopher Fox: I have never done a play close to this in terms of the subject matter or content. It is sort of backstage at a traveling boxing show in rural Ireland in 1962. It’s not about the fights or seeing the fights, it’s the things that happen before and after the fights. There is an unusual family unit that develops within this group to work together and to take this show around. All the things that usually go with family go with this tour, as well.

DP: Does your work at the Seanacha’ÛÎ_ Theater differ in any specific ways from your work in other venues?

KCF: I wouldn’t say drastically. They are an ensemble theater so their ensemble actors are always in the shows but I’ve worked at other ensemble theaters where that is also the case. It’s really just the subject matter and the kinds of stories that they want to tell are unique to them.

DP: I understand that you have spent a lot of time directing and acting. How do these two roles differ from one another? Do they contribute to one another in any ways?

KCF: Well, they are wildly different. Each one informs the other. I continue to do both. I trained as an actor at the Conservatory at The Theatre School and I was greatly influenced by working with directors who were also actors or had been actors. That gave me the confidence and also a model. I knew through that how I wanted to run a room and what I wanted my priorities to be in terms of the kind of work that I did and how I wanted to work with actors. As I continue to do both, each one informs the other, but when I am an actor, I only have to worry about that one thing. That used to be all I did and directing is such a different animal. I am eating, sleeping and dreaming the play 24 hours a day through the entire process. I have to worry about all of the actors and the design and dealing with the producer and coordinating things in terms of the show coming to life, so I have a huge list of things to worry about including what’s happening with each of the actors. That’s the biggest difference. Also, as an actor your job is to be subject to the vision that the director has and the guidance that the director gives you as an actor. The director’s responsibility is to give the guidance and to make the decisions that shape the world.

DP: As a director, what is it like to step back before an opening and watch what you have created come to life on stage?

KCF: It’s the best. It is such a rush. I work so, so hard to create this world and to create a structured kind of playground for the actors because I really want the show to be alive. When I’m walking away from a show, when I’m done and they open, it’s such a rush to see it with an audience when I know that the actors are playing in the way that I want them to and I see that they are having a good time and the show is growing in a good way. That is such a rewarding feeling. It’s great.

DP: If you could tell your audience one thing before they see this production, what would it be?

KCF: When I talk to people who don’t see a lot of plays they say, “What do I have to know before I go?” I feel like the only requirement for seeing a play is that you are a human being and that you speak and understand the language that the play is being presented in. Otherwise, you shouldn’t have to know anything else. If we don’t grab you, that means we didn’t do our job. It’s our job to pick a story that we think is worth your time and it’s our job to pick a world of characters that we think are worth your time but you shouldn’t have to do or know anything else. Good writing and good characters are something that you should be able to connect with if you are a human being and if we’re doing a good job that is going to work.

“Lay Me Down Softly” will be at The Den Theater (1333 N. Milwaukee Ave.) from April 25 to May 25.