Names must never belong to more than one cat! And that seems to be true at least for this cat…as we cannot find a cat with this name from the 2022 production… Can you guess which cat this might be?
Thank you for joining us today! Tell us who you are and which cat you’re playing and we’ll get going!
Erin Bourn: I’m Erin. Erin Bourn, because there are so many Erins in this show!
I think that’s just a prerequisite when it comes to a Bambi Cats. There must be at least three Erins or something like that. And this time around I think it’s Erin McArthur, Erin Acerno, and now you! So tell us, Erin-the-third, though not third-time-Erin (that’s McArthur), who do you play in Cats?
Erin: I’m playing Plato, who is one of the kittens!
Ooh. Kittens! Tell me a little bit about Plato.
Erin: Plato is a very curious cat. Much like the name of the philosopher. Plato has very, very strong bonds with all of her sisters. And I think she sees Alonzo as a brother figure, and also Cassandra as like an older sister, because they came from the same mother! I like to make sure that my bonds are very strong with a lot of the cast members on the stage. I try to make that very apparent. I try to be consoling and cuddly and adorable. And of course, inquisitive!
I really love hearing this. Now how are you and Plato similar or different? Are you a cuddly, nice person in real life?
Erin: No, I’m actually a b**ch. Just kidding! I think I’m nice. My philosophy in life is be a croissant not a doughnut. And what that means is be open all the time. Allow other people to latch onto your different walks of life.
I’m sorry— be a croissant not a doughnut?
Erin: Yeah! Be open-minded. Be open!
I have never heard that phrase before. It’s unique. I like it!
Erin: It’s just a little thing I made up.
I really like that. And now I want pastries. Dangit.
Erin: Haha, I don’t have any, but thank you! Croissants are everywhere, they’re kind of like my brand. I think I am much like Plato, I embody Plato in a certain way because Plato is very curious and excited and very open as a cat. I don’t think Plato has ever really hissed at anyone before, and I’m an open, curious person.
That’s really lovely! Why did you want to come out and audition to be a part of Cats?
Erin: Oh my gosh, I have always loved this show. Both of my grandmothers, one who has unfortunately passed and one who fortunately is still here with us— and is driving all the way from Alabama to see this! But I’ve dedicated this performance to both of my grandmothers because both of them used to play the soundtrack for me all the time whenever I was over. They used to play the video for me— the 1998 version— and now one of them gets to see me do it. I get chills whenever I think about it.
I’m getting chills just listening to you talk about it. Do you consider yourself to be a dancer?
Erin: I’m more of a mover than a dancer but…I think by the end of this show maybe…I might be a dancer.
Oh wow! Now is this your first show with Bambi?
Erin: Oh no! My first ever show with Bambi, I was ten years old, I was in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at PFT (Phoenix Festival Theatre), and I’ve done several other shows with her since, but this is my first time since 2014 that I’ve done a show with Bambi. I grew up doing shows with her. I feel so grateful doing such a heavy dance show, specifically with her, because I think she kind of molded my preference in repetition in the way that I learn dance. She’s giving it!
What does it mean to you to be a Jellicle Cat?
Erin: To be a Jellicle Cat… well, Jellicle Cats have the opportunity to have another life and to redeem themselves. You see that in the narrative of Grizabella and how people don’t accept her. I think that just goes back to my general philosophy of how you should always be open-minded in life. I think that’s what Jellicle cats represent— open-mindedness, forgiveness, and care.
You’re very well spoken. I’m really enjoying your answers. Do you have cats at home?
Erin: Yes I do! I have one cat! Her name is Nutmeg and I got her when I was ten years old. She was the only girl in a litter of all boys. And she is a tortoise shell. Half of her face is orange and half of her face is black. And she is just the cutest little thing! I adore her so much! She used to pace every single day— back and forth— this girl knew my schedule. Like when I was coming back from the bus, I’d be coming down the stairs and she’d be pacing and meowing— like she was a dog. She’s my little shadow. I don’t even know if I’ll ever have children but she easily is the closest thing I’ve ever had so far to a child. Torties come with such Tortie-tude. They either hate other cats or they hate people. Nutmeg loves me. She’s very sweet. But she can also be the baddest *B* you’ll ever meet.
We know that cats have three names. The name that the humans call them or their daily use name, their more dignified name, and their third, secret name that we can never know. What do you think the humans are calling Plato?
Erin: Oh the humans are calling Plato…hmm. That’s actually a very good question that I hadn’t thought about. I will say that during rehearsal there are times where I’m contemplating that third name. I have the second name, but I’m still a kitten. So there are definitely times that I will be sitting on stage, meditating to find that third name. And I can’t tell you necessarily what the humans call me, but I can tell you that I’m meditating hardcore to find that third name. And of course, once I find it, I can’t tell you that either!
Plato it is, all round then! Now what has been your big personal takeaway from this experience so far?
Erin: I feel like I’ve regained a part of myself. It’s been so long since I’ve done community theatre, specifically in the Baltimore County-Harford County area. I just graduated from Salisbury University so I haven’t been around for a while. It’s nice to be back! I was also living in Spain all of last year, so I didn’t get to do theatre here while I was there. I was actually teaching music over there and I helped the kids learn several different songs in English and I helped organize their winter concert, it was a really great experience. So going from that, which was a whole different type of life experience, to being in this state where I’m just now getting my bearings back again— to be back here with this cast, who is so beautiful and I love every single person in this cast, and to come full circle with Bambi, because she was my first-ever director— it’s been really rewarding. I feel like I have regained a part of myself in a way.
That does sound truly amazing. If you had to sum up your experience here at Cockpit in Court with Bambi and Cats using just one word, which word would you use?
Erin: Is there a word for being able to ‘regroup to yourself?’ It’s not discovering. Repolishing? Reinventing? No… reincarnation? Hmm. Rewarding. I’ll go with rewarding.
Cats plays July 19th 2024 through August 3rd 2024 in the F. Scott Black Theatre of The Robert and Eleanor Romadka College Center at the Community College of Baltimore County Essex Campus— 7201 Rossville Boulevard, Essex MD. For tickets call the box office at (443) 840-2787 or purchase them online.
Follow along in the “Return to the Jellicle Ball” Series here:
