AARON HALE

Rachel Burttram, actor and associate for the Florida Repertory Theatre, discusses the company's current production, "The Glass Menagerie."

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It wasn’t exactly a peek backstage, but curious theatergoers got an insider’s perspective into the making of regional plays at the South County Regional Library on Wednesday.

Rachel Burttram, who serves as associate director of Florida Repertory Theatre and plays Laura in its current production of “The Glass Menagerie,” discussed and fielded questions about the production process in the library’s meeting room. Her talk was part of a series of discussions the Florida Rep held with libraries across Lee County.

To her audience of roughly 20, Burttram called live theatre “a little miracle.”

She said for “The Glass Menagerie,” most actors were cast in New York, where the director was also chosen. They were given a script and flown to Fort Myers. The cast and crew put the play together in a matter of weeks. And the show runs only 12 performances.

“When it’s done, it’s done,” said Burttram.

Burttram also discussed Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie” and Florida Rep’s take on the American classic. The play tells the story of an aging single mother, who cares, sometimes overbearingly, for her bitter son and socially-crippled daughter.

“This (play) is about three people who really love each other,” she said. “They just don’t know how to love each other.”

During the discussion, Burttram fielded questions from the audience, which ranged from the status of the ladies’ room to how actors work together.

“Theater is a collaboration,” said Burttram. “You don’t know what you’re going to do until you hear the other actors.”

Burttram was gracious to her audience, which consisted mostly of patrons who regularly attend Florida Rep plays.

“Without you, we wouldn’t have any plays,” said Burttram.

Audience member Joe Johnson responded, “If your plays weren’t so good, we wouldn’t come.”

Johnson said he attends all of Florida Rep’s shows. His interest in theater comes from a lifelong passion for performing in amateur plays, he said. Still, Johnson said he appreciates what the local theater professionals produce.

“This is a treasure for the Fort Myers area,” he said.