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lillibetIn the midst of everything else that's going on, I'm directing a show. It's called Clubfoot, or Tales from the Back of an Ambulance.
Jason discovered the script this summer, in Seattle. It was written by the Managing and Artistic Directors of the Annex Theatre there. Turns out that the MD was once a Microsoftie, then spent two years working as an EMT before getting involved in the theatre. As a result, it's very conversational and very real.
The play is a well-crafted three-hander: Stephen, the main character, and two other actors who play his partners, patients, bystanders and other medical personnel. It feels like hanging out over beers with a bunch of EMTs responding to your question: So what's it like?
It's very funny, but also profound, as the script considers the very different perspective that first-responders have on a city, on people, on life. It looks at the ways people connect under pressure and the ways that people disconnect when their experience is unshared. It tackles the question of who would want to do a job that includes danger, unpredictability, a lot of gross and emotionally difficult moments, as well as long stretches of boredom.
Rehearsals are going very well. My cast--Leslie Drescher, Michael Dewberry, and Jason--are fantastically talented actors, able to bring a wide variety of voices and emotions to each line, while still creating an overall sense of character. The opportunity to work with a small cast is one that I hadn't realized how much I missed. With only four of us in the room, it can become a truly collaborative process, without getting chaotic. Even with only four rehearsals before our one performance, I can feel the progress we're making and the way that the strands of the show are weaving together.
The show is part of our series, Bare Bones: Staged Readings at Theatre@First. So there's no blocking to learn and not much tech to speak of. That's a very freeing situation for me, making for an order of magnitude fewer decisions to make and details to remember. We can focus tightly on the text, polishing the performance until it gleams, while keeping the rough grain of real life on the stage.
Like all of the Bare Bones performances, its one night will be a very special opportunity for our audiences. What we've found is that by requiring them to engage their imaginations in order to visualize much of the show, we create an even stronger bond and deeper level of participation. I'm looking forward to the now-traditional talkback session after we finish.
With all the family health crises, part of me feels like it's insane for me to be directing right now, but another part knows that it's one of the anchors keeping me sane. I am not just a grieving daughter, worrying sister, caretaking mother and wife. I am a creative person with something still left to generate art with my friends, for my community. That makes it not only stimulating, but deeply consoling, as well.
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Friday, March 18th at 8pm
Unity Somerville
6 William St @ College Ave.
SUGGESTED DONATION $5
No Reservations - General Admission
There's more info on our website.
I'd love to share this show with you and will hope to see you there.
Jason discovered the script this summer, in Seattle. It was written by the Managing and Artistic Directors of the Annex Theatre there. Turns out that the MD was once a Microsoftie, then spent two years working as an EMT before getting involved in the theatre. As a result, it's very conversational and very real.
The play is a well-crafted three-hander: Stephen, the main character, and two other actors who play his partners, patients, bystanders and other medical personnel. It feels like hanging out over beers with a bunch of EMTs responding to your question: So what's it like?
It's very funny, but also profound, as the script considers the very different perspective that first-responders have on a city, on people, on life. It looks at the ways people connect under pressure and the ways that people disconnect when their experience is unshared. It tackles the question of who would want to do a job that includes danger, unpredictability, a lot of gross and emotionally difficult moments, as well as long stretches of boredom.
Rehearsals are going very well. My cast--Leslie Drescher, Michael Dewberry, and Jason--are fantastically talented actors, able to bring a wide variety of voices and emotions to each line, while still creating an overall sense of character. The opportunity to work with a small cast is one that I hadn't realized how much I missed. With only four of us in the room, it can become a truly collaborative process, without getting chaotic. Even with only four rehearsals before our one performance, I can feel the progress we're making and the way that the strands of the show are weaving together.
The show is part of our series, Bare Bones: Staged Readings at Theatre@First. So there's no blocking to learn and not much tech to speak of. That's a very freeing situation for me, making for an order of magnitude fewer decisions to make and details to remember. We can focus tightly on the text, polishing the performance until it gleams, while keeping the rough grain of real life on the stage.
Like all of the Bare Bones performances, its one night will be a very special opportunity for our audiences. What we've found is that by requiring them to engage their imaginations in order to visualize much of the show, we create an even stronger bond and deeper level of participation. I'm looking forward to the now-traditional talkback session after we finish.
With all the family health crises, part of me feels like it's insane for me to be directing right now, but another part knows that it's one of the anchors keeping me sane. I am not just a grieving daughter, worrying sister, caretaking mother and wife. I am a creative person with something still left to generate art with my friends, for my community. That makes it not only stimulating, but deeply consoling, as well.
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Friday, March 18th at 8pm
Unity Somerville
6 William St @ College Ave.
SUGGESTED DONATION $5
No Reservations - General Admission
There's more info on our website.
I'd love to share this show with you and will hope to see you there.
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no subject
Date: 2011-03-05 02:10 pm (UTC)And thank you for that last paragraph. Many times when I'm rushing from the hospital to a rehearsal I think, "Why do I do this to myself?" And then I remember. While singing Rossini fills my schedule, it also fills my heart with what it needs to get through each day.
My thoughts are with you this day. May every aspect of your life join to provide some comfort to you.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-05 02:34 pm (UTC)And, thank you.