Twenty Years Later, She's Emily Dickinson

"It's a gem, a little gem of a role, that fell into my life," says Meg Gilbert.

Playing the role of Emily Dickinson in "The Belle of Amherst," directed by Gil Rambach at Chatham United Methodist Church, Gilbert returns to the stage after some twenty years in the wings.

Gilbert attended Wayne State University, where she ushered, worked the box office, and did "anything that needed to be done." She met her husband there, and theatre became their shared avocation. Gilbert was involved in civic theatre in Ann Arbor, Mich., and then in southern California. 

"We always joke that the kids took naps in the cutting baskets backstage," recalls Gilbert, whose ability to sew made her a natural choice for doing wardrobe work. In California, she also had the opportunity to perform outdoor Shakespeare in an Equity-waiver theatre that continues to thrive. 

When Meg and her husband, Dave, moved to Maplewood, where they have lived for 13 years, they both became involved in The Strollers and What Exit? theatre companies. Gilbert helped with costumes, but with grown children—she is the proud grandmother of a 10-year old—she was open to a larger role.

Playwright, director and drama teacher Gil Rambach drew Gilbert's attention to the Fellowship Theatre Company. Gilbert, a longtime member of the congregation, read "The Belle of Amherst" and was intrigued. 

"Uh-oh," she recalls telling her husband. "I think I have to do this." Since the rehearsals began, Gilbert has found herself immersed in the words and life of her character, Emily Dickinson.

"This kind of show crawls into your head," she says. "It stays there. The lines absorb you completely."

Gilbert, who dyed her hair chestnut brown for the role, describes Emily Dickinson as, "courageous. She is able to express powerful emotions with a focused lens. She looks into her own mind very deeply, peeling away layers. Not only is that difficult, it takes bravery."

Likewise, performing such a role onstage takes courage and preparation. Gilbert laughs that the set makes her feel at home; she and her husband live in a 250-year old house, and they have lent period furnishings for the production. "It's a very comfortable period for me," she says. However, the role is a challenge. Dickinson was a notoriously private person, whom Gilbert has come to know through letters and poetry. Gilbert has researched important objects of Dickinson's lifetime, and learned more about events of the poet's period. 

Gilbert has become a fan of the Fellowship Theatre Company, which relocated from Red Bank to Chatham in 2009. "It's reasonably priced," she explains. "It's a wonderful alternative for theatre in our area."

For an actor, the company offers the same opportunities and more. "This is a dream role," says Gilbert. "It stretches the actor to be younger, older, to experience a full range of ages and emotions." She finds herself "living" the role of Emily Dickinson on and off-stage.

"It's a lovely place to live," concludes Gilbert. 

 "The Belle of Amherst"by William Luce will be presented by Fellowship Theater, Chatham United Methodist Church, 460 Main St. on Friday and Saturday at 8pm. For reservations, call 908-489-4911. Performances last Friday and Saturday were sold out.