Tinkler’s Gift of Hope

I have always loved words. I remember as a child only willingly going to bed if there was a bedtime story. Whether it was “The Pokey Little Puppy,” Seuss’ “Fox in Sox,” or even Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” the words would weave a world of wonder inside my head. My father’s voice was the most comfortable sound to curl up in and relax. As I grew older and more independent, I had to read myself to sleep and began to realize just how lucky I was to have been given so many bed time stories.

As we enter the holiday season, many draw close with their families to celebrate their blessings. Thankfully, for those who need help transitioning to a safe and healthy family environment, Steps to HOPE offers special assistance during the winter months. With support from community members who have gifts to share, they are able to help families recover from violence and celebrate a happy holiday.

This weekend Chris Tinkler and his family invite you and your family to join them in supporting Steps to HOPE. Chris will be performing a theatrical presentation of Truman Capote’s beautiful story of a boy’s joyful childhood memories of Christmas. While he’s been too busy doing theatre to spend much time talking about it, I did manage to get a few answers out of him about the show.

Why did you choose this particular piece as a one-man show?
It is a wonderful Christmas story about a boy and his love of an elderly aunt – it is autobiographical – all the simple things that they do in order to get ready for Christmas.

Tell me a little about Steps to HOPE and how you got involved doing this as a fund raiser for them.
Steps to HOPE focuses on helping victims of domestic violence to get back on their feet and start a new life. We have been involved the last three years helping to provide Christmas for a family. Linda, (Chris’ wife) thought that the wonderful Christmas play and the Steps to HOPE organization would make a good match.

Have you ever done something like this before?
I have performed this piece several times.

When and where have you performed this before?
11 Years ago I presented it in the old upstairs Gallery Space. I had just met my future wife several days before and invited her to come to the show – She was surprised that I remembered her name –

How did you decide to put it together as a one man show?
It’s nice to have a piece that you can just pull out and do – I don’t need any other actors, the set requirements are minimal.

How has it changed the different times you've performed it?
Not that much has changed over the years – becoming a father I understand the joy of Christmas through a child’s eyes and that will make a difference this year. It will be the first time that Jack (Chris’ son) will see the show.

How have you prepared for this while directing, designing, and performing in the show “All in the Timing” for TLT?
Squeezing it in when I can.

Did you have any difficulties adapting the script to performance?
It is straight from the story – the piece is so beautifully composed that there is no reason to change a single word. It flows.

Will you have to do much technically to change the TLT space from “All in the Timing” to "Christmas Memory"?
The floor will be painted – a new set moved in – lights refocused.

Have Linda and Jack helped you to prepare for these shows? How?
They just give me time to rehearse and Linda always needs to hear the characters voices to make sure that they are correct.

Chris Tinkler will perform Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” as a one-man show at the Tryon Little Theatre Workshop this Thanksgiving weekend Nov 22-24 at 7:30pm. Audience members are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy for Steps to HOPE Christmas. Tickets for the production benefiting Steps to HOPE are $15.00 and available at the TLT Box Office. Call (828) 859-3006 for more information.