If These Walls Could Talk – A Staged Reading with Big Emotions

 If These Walls Could Talk, written by Meg Wiles, recently premiered at Portland Playhouse as part of the Fertile Ground collection. This locally written piece tells the story of the many lives that have passed through a single home, and I had the pleasure of bringing some of those characters to life. Alongside my fellow Mt. Hood Community College students, I took on multiple roles in this staged reading, but two characters stood out to me the most: The Dodger and Joan.

Aiden Anderson, who trained in the same techniques as I have, delivered a gripping performance as The Dodger. His emotional arc was striking—starting with a quiet, restrained presence and a convincing New York accent before peeling back layers of vulnerability. As the play progressed, it became clear that his character was dodging the war, which added an element of urgency to every choice he made. Aiden’s final monologue was outstanding, balancing between archetypal and deeply personal, keeping the audience completely engaged. Since this was a staged reading, there wasn’t much movement to analyze, but I can imagine that a rigid, military-influenced physicality would enhance The Dodger’s presence. One movement quality that stood out was the embodiment of Reach Out to Touch but Never Grasping—a perfect reflection of his longing for a life just out of reach, you could read more about this in Michael Chekhov's book To The Actor. 

Aiden's goal was clear: survival. But fear was his greatest obstacle, and it made every moment between him and Serg feel heavy with shame and sorrow. Judging by the audience’s feedback, his performance left a strong impression on everyone.

Poster for If These Walls Could Talk

Now, onto Joan—played by yours truly. Taking on this role was a fascinating challenge. Joan is an anxious, barren woman whose story spans multiple decades, which meant I had to figure out how to subtly age her from one scene to the next. One of the archetypal sensations I connect with is Falling and Balancing, and it fit Joan perfectly—she was constantly walking on eggshells, trying to hold everything together until it inevitably collapsed. This was especially evident in her scene with her pregnant friend, where she tried to stay composed until her emotions finally cracked, leading to a breakdown—the ultimate "fall." Since this was a staged reading, I couldn’t fully explore movement, but I imagine that a flowing quality would suit her best. Joan is obsessive, trapped in repetitive tasks like cleaning a gun—actions that mirror her restless mind. Her objectives seem contradictory: she wants a family, but she also wants to heal her mother. These conflicting desires make her paranoid and guarded, adding layers of complexity to her character. She was both challenging and rewarding to portray.

Overall, If These Walls Could Talk is a compelling, thought-provoking piece that captures the ghosts of a home’s past through the people who once lived there. Characters like The Dodger and Joan bring depth and emotional weight to the story, and performances inspired by the Chekhov technique add even more texture. This staged reading was just a glimpse into the play’s potential—given the right staging and movement, it could be something truly extraordinary.

Would love to hear your thoughts—have you ever seen or acted in a staged reading before? Let’s chat in the comments! Additionally, if you are interested in Meg's work, you can check out her Instagram (@writing_wiles)