When Jade Alex sets foot on stage in The Rocks this week she won't know what exactly she'll be facing.
The 22-year-old Springwood actress is in Anton Chekhov's play The Seagull, which is being produced by Hurrah Hurrah and Hot Blooded Theatre Companies using ensemble-based theatre concepts.
The production has been guided by Hurrah Hurrah founder Alison Bennett, but there is no director, and actors have been encouraged to contribute to the process, and to think on their feet while on stage.
"The lack of director really forces us as actors to step up our game," Alex said.
The 10-member cast has been in rehearsal for months so they know their characters well, but there isn't a set script to stick to on the night, so it can be a bit spontaneous, which Alex finds exciting.
She plays aspiring actress Nina, who comes from a family of creators. The play focuses on the family's lives.
"It's like looking through a window at struggling creators that want to move forward but don't know how," she said.
As a youngster Alex attended Korowal School, then went on to study a Bachelor of Performance at AIM Dramatic Arts in Sydney.
She makes a living from acting and directing, and her next production is Hayes Theatre's children's show AKIO! in Sydney in July.
The Seagull is showing now, at pop-up Shop 2.03, 140 George Street, The Rocks until March 28.
Tickets can be purchased at: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=120490.
