Name: Michelle Jorgensen

Role: Marjorie

Last seen in: Mad Cap 24 Hour Play Festival, Van’s Sister in Dog Sees God (Studio Players), Shelby in Steel Magnolias (STC), Lexington in Classic Eight (Mad Yarn Theater Company), Elizabeth in Laundry & Bourbon (Studio Players)

Who is your character in Extremities, and what’s challenging about bringing him/her to life?

I get to play Marjorie. Besides being a physically demanding role, the hardest part is playing a victim of assault in such a way that pays respect to actual victims of assault.

What aspects of your character are part of you?

Marjorie doesn’t follow the rules. Instead of doing what she is “supposed to do,” she does what she feels is right. I like to think I do the same.

What has been your favorite role to play on stage? Why?

Probably Shelby in Steel Magnolias. The cast and crew were amazing and I love any role where I get to use a southern accent.

Extremities was written and performed in the early 1980s. Is the subject matter still relevant today? How has the conversation about rape & assault changed in the last 20 years?

Unfortunately, yes, it is still relevant. Sexual assault is still prevalent in 2014 and seeking justice through the system is often a painful, humiliating process for the victim.

Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue from the play?

I like Marjorie’s line, “I want him to hurt like me,” because it is such a simple yet profound statement. People who commit acts of violence do so because they have experienced acute suffering themselves. This statement eloquently describes how and why the cycle of violence is perpetuated.

What is the audience going to be thinking about as they drive home after seeing this show?

After watching these characters make hard decisions under extreme circumstances, they will be thinking, “What would I have done?”

Extremities runs October 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Paradigm Annex. Tickets are available now online or in person at Paradigm Coffee & Music. This show contains mature themes and is intended for an adult audience.