Emerson Stage

Emerson Stage is the producing arm of the Department of Performing Arts at Emerson College. This blog will have entries over the course of the season, giving you insight about how we work, and what it takes to get a production up and running, and who some of us are. Check back with us often--and let us know what you think!

Well, this season isn't even done yet (have you got your ticket to INTO THE WOODS? Don't delay!) and we are planning next season. Auditions for the first three shows are coming up (casting is done before summer break), and lots of other pre production work is being done.
Here's next season:

Light Up the Sky by Moss Hart
Directed by Melia Bensussen
October 21-24, 2010 in the Paramount Theatre

The Actor by Horton Foote and
The Actor's Nightmare by Christopher Durang
Directed by Maureen Shea
November 4-7, 2010 in the Greene Theater

Bud, Not Buddy adapted by Reginald André Jackson
    From the book by Christopher Paul Curtis
Directed by Bob Colby
November 11-21, 2010 in the Semel Theater

Nine by Arthur Kopit/Maury Yestin
Directed by Bill Fennelly, Guest Director
December 9-12, 2010 in the Greene Theater

XDance 2011
Artistic Director Marlena Yannetti
February 10-13, 2011 in the Greene Theater

The Golden Age by Louis Nowra
Directed by Benny Sato Ambush
February 24-27, 2011 in the Black Box Theater

Newfest and Newfest Readings
Directed by Joe Antoun
March 24-27, 2011 in the Semel Theater
    Submissions due by November 5, 2010

Man of La Mancha by Dale Wasserman/J. Darion/M. Leigh
Directed by Stephen Terrell
Guest Artist: Jeff McCarthy
April 14-17, 2011 in the Paramount Theatre

What show are you most looking forward to?

So here on floor two,  we find ourselves having long involved conversations about things that normal people probably don't even think about in a day. 
We could chat for hours about  which kind of  hand sewing needle is better, we all have our favorites.  Jen prefers a 9 sharp,  whereas I prefer a 7 milliner and Deb prefers the ones with the large eye so she can thread them.   I know, you probably didn't know that there are different categories of hand sewing needles.

Scissors are always a hot topic.   You should never cut paper with your fabric scissors and vice versa.  It's just not done!!!  It makes kittens cry.  There are oodles of different types of scissors, but I won't bore you with that. I fear it would sound a lot like Charlie Brown's teacher.  Womp, Womp, Womp. 

The real reason I started this entry was to tell you about our latest geek out.   Tyler, who is designing Into the Woods and his lovely assistants Nicole and Courtney went to the mecca of fabric stores, NYC!    Now as we all know from being avid watchers of Project Runway, this is where Mood is located.  There are numerous other stores there, not as fancy pants, but with really good fabric and trim. So that is where our intrepid design team went to shop. 

Sadly they did not visit the House of Spandex, which is just somewhere I like to go because they have every color spandex ever thought of by the half blind disco lovers who send out those horrible dancing school costume catalogs.  I digress.
I'm having trouble with the photos so let me describe.  What appears as a simple pile of fabulous fabric and fur will turn into amazing creations.   

Here is some of what Tyler brought us

'Twas the night before load out and all through the shop, all the creatures were sewing, no one could stop... 

I should be more witty, but I can't think of anymore rhymes plus, I gotta go sew!


The Evening of Women Playwrights is upon us and the shop is a beehive of activity, everyone is working hard on finish work.   We do all the functional notes to a costume first and then we do the trimming.  That way if a costume doesn't have all it's sparkly trim, it can still go onstage.  A sparkly trimmed jacket is lovely, but if the jacket isn't wearable for dress rehearsal, then it's not very useful.

This group of shows has  been very interesting because one is Victorian, one is mid century, and one is a throwback to the 80's.   There will be many beautiful silhouettes to admire, so you'd better go see them.

Oh there's a tour here!  The parents and students who come on them are always so nice.  They usually say it looks just like Project Runway in here. Yesterday someone even said, "Make it Work!"  Except here, we have to make sure it actually looks like the sketch, fits, and can stand up to the rigors of the show.  Plus we don't use glue or tape to finish things..

Hello Everybodeee!   We have been hard at work here in the Costume Shop. X Dance is up and running. I hope you will all get a chance to see it, even though I hear it's sold out! 

Here's a photo of the "To-Do" rack in the shop, it's pretty normal now, but I'll update it when we are in the middle of  working on Into the Woods, It will be enormous.   

post by Kristen van Ginhoven

How lucky am I? I am one of three students currently directing a one act play by a woman playwright as part of Emerson College's Main Stage upcoming show 'Coming of Age', happening Feb. 25-28 in the Semel Theatre. WOW! Huge thanks go to Maureen Shea, initiator of the entire event, as without her, this incredible learning curve I am currently on would not be happening. She has long been an advocate of creating opportunities to hear the voice of women playwrights onstage and she is also the one who thought it would be a valuable experience for students to be involved as directors. I feel incredibly grateful to be one of the three chosen.

Since being chosen last spring, it has been a whirlwind. Maureen read tons of plays and when she read 'Vendetta Chrome' by Sally Oswald, she thought it would be a good fit for me. She was right. I completely fell in love with the play and am having an incredible time working with the design team, the actors, the stage management team, the musical director and composer, and everyone else who is part of telling the story of Vendetta Chrome. From a press release about the play: 'It's the '90s. The 1890s. And poor Vendetta has always been a bit behind the rest of the girls in her elocution class. But now it's up to her to save her school, her family, and herself--and it's all in the dance moves.' Yes, Maureen definitely found a play that appeals to my aesthetic: ensemble based, farce, full of movement and music, complete with mysterious twists to the story.

I have been lucky enough to communicate with the playwright, Sally Oswald, who will be coming to campus to partake in forums and see the show during its run Feb. 25-28, 2010. She has been a wonderful support and it will be very exciting to meet her. Maureen continues to guide me with a clear hand and has such a deep knowledge of directing and of telling stories that I am able to completely trust this journey we are on. How many people can direct for the first time on a thrust stage (The Semel Theatre in the Tufte Building) and have someone come in and guide them in how to most effectively use the groundplan? I cannot tell you how valuable this experience is for me, a mid career professional actor and educator who is currently an emerging director. I am learning an incredible amount about the professional process of directing a play and the twists and turns that are part of the director's process. I hope all the various students involved in the different areas feel the same way as we all work together to tell this story in the most dynamic, theatrical way possible.

It feels like I have been granted a self imposed MFA in Directing opportunity and for that, I am extremely grateful to Maureen, Emerson Stage and all who made this opportunity possible.

Greetings from the 6^th Floor Production Office! This is Frederick and my first blog post, and we are very excited to keep you up-to-date on the ins and outs of Emerson Stage. Classes have begun and we are officially finishing up the third week! Auditions ran smoothly and the cast lists have been posted. Rachel even let Frederick post the Into the Woods cast list. Paint began rehearsals this week, which are going very well. There will be six actors working on Dan DeNicola's Newfest win, and then an additional group of actors that will be working on the Newfest Readings. More details to follow as we get closer.

Other than that, next door, in the Greene Theater, the marley dance floor is down, and X Dance 2010 goes into tech this weekend. There are 25 dancers who have been working since November to bring the work of five student choreographers to life. It is a show you won't want to miss, but make sure you get your tickets quickly, as it will sell out!

Well, that's all for now! More from Frederick and me soon!

            Xoxo

From Rafael Jaen:

Emerson students received various awards last week at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region 1 held at the University of New Hampshire, in Durham. The Region 1 includes colleges from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northeast New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The students who received awards are:
 
National LMDA/KCACTF Award for Dramaturgy Initiative, First Place
Jessica Baxter - Show: Incorruptible -Emerson College
(This student has been awarded a scholarship to participate at the National Festival, April 12 - 17, 2010)
 
National Barbizon Award for Excellence in Costume Design, First Place
Sydney Robinson - Show: Six Characters' in Search of an Author - Emerson College
(This student has been awarded a scholarship to participate at the National Festival, April 12 - 17, 2010)
 
National Barbizon Award For Excellence in Lighting Design, First Place
Tracy Wertheimer - Show: Esperanza Rising - Emerson College
(This student has been awarded a scholarship to participate at the National Festival, April 12 - 17, 2010)
 
National KCACTF Award For Excellence in Sound Design, Second Place
Brendan Doyle - Show: Esperanza Rising - Emerson College
 
Regional Merit Certificate for Scenic Design
Megan Kinneen - Show: Illyria - Emerson College
 
Regional Merit Certificate for Props Design
Joanna Stenning -Show: Incorruptible -Emerson College
 
In addition two Emerson faculty members participated; Rafael Jaen served as Co-Chair for the Design, Technology and Management area and Debra Acquavella participated as workshop leader and Stage Management interview coordinator.

Congratulations Emersonians! Jessie, Sydney and Tracy--break a leg at the Nationals!


Picture by Kirk Miller. Left to right: Brendan Doyle, Megan Kinneen, Rafael Jaen, Deb Acquavella, Tracy Werthiemer, Sydney Robinson

Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center's founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of College Theater in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents. Region I of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival has traditionally involved institutions from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, but now includes Eastern New York. The festival is an exciting time for student technicians and designers. Last year there were sessions that explored state of the art lighting of technology, career opportunities in technical theatre, the use of color, and tips for creating the ideal portfolio. Some of the many other sessions had topics such as how to get into grad school, lighting design techniques and tools, and an introduction to free software.
 
A major element of this annual festival is the Design & Technologies Exhibition which provides opportunities for students to share work from all areas of theater; some realized projects and some 'paper' projects. Design displays are presented at the festival to a panel of respondents who are professional not affiliated with the region. Design awards in Region I are given at both the national and regional levels. At the national level, one student from each design discipline is invited to bring their exhibit to the National Festival in Washington, DC in the spring.

The region's festival this year is held at University of New Hampshire, from Tuesday 1/26 to Saturday 1/30/10. The design students participating these year include: Megan Kinneen for Set Design (Illyria), Sydney Robinson for Costumes (6 Characters), Tracy Wertheimer for Lighting (Esperanza Rising) and Brendan Doyle for Sound (Esperanza Rising). The students were recommended by the KCACTF Respondents that attended our shows and vetted by the Design-Tech Faculty. This year Design Faculty Rafael Jaen will serve as Co-Chair for Design, Technology and Management. Stage Management Faculty Debra Acquavella will serve as Stage Manager Coordinator and Workshop Leader.

Below, Tracy Wertheimer's display boards:

Our last production meeting of the semester was this morning. A post production meeting about ILLYRIA, and a concept meeting about PAINT, this year's NewFest winner. PAINT will be produced at the end of March, but auditions are the week we get back and designs are due a week later.

The Costume Shop hosts an annual end of the semester/holiday party. Here are a couple of photos from today's fete, where a good time was had by all, even if the chocolate fountain broke. Note the makeup/craft project which adorns most of them.

And here's a photo of the wonderful shop staff:

Top: Rafael Jaen, Richelle Devereaux-Murray
Bottom: Jennifer Guadagno, Debra Krasa

Emerson Stage benefits from the hard work of students both on and off stage. Our recent production of ILLYRIA had student set, costume and lighting designers.

Here's a great piece on Courtney Irizarry, the Costume Designer of ILLYRIA. Interested in the process of designing costumes for a musical? Get some insight here.

 

A mid-November check in for Emerson Stage. Our third show, ESPERANZA RISING, is open. ILLYRIA is in rehearsal, ready to open mid-December. X-DANCE is in rehearsal. THREE SHORT PLAYS BY WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS is being cast as we speak. NEWFEST scripts are in, and in the hands of the readers. And our first INTO THE WOODS meeting (concept) is in a couple of weeks.

And we're planning the 10-11 Season.

Are you interested in learning more about process? Each production has a dramaturg, and each production has a blog. Check them out, they are a great source of information and inspiration!

INCORRUPTIBLE
SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR
ESPERANZA RISING
ILLYRIA
X DANCE
THREE SHORT PLAYS
NEWFEST
INTO THE WOODS

ESPERANZA RISING opened last Friday. Pam Munoz Ryan, the author of the book, was on hand for talkbacks Friday and Saturday, and did a book signing on Saturday afternoon. There was another talkback on Sunday about immigration. The dramaturgs have also made a short film about immigration, which is playing in the lobby of the Cutler Majestic Theatre.

There are two more public performances--Friday at 7:30 and Saturday at 2pm. The blog has a lot more in depth information about the show, and there is a study guide available for download. When you come to the theater, make sure you visit the lower lobby and see the dramaturgical display.

Don't miss this show!

This is always the craziest time of the year for Emerson Stage. Two shows have gone up, INCORRUPTIBLE and SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR (entries to be posted on both later this week). ESPERANZA RISING just loaded into the Cutler Majestic, and opens on November 13. ILLYRIA is in rehearsal--the music has been learned, and the book work is in progress. X DANCE is in rehearsal. The three SHORT PLAYS BY WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS have been chosen, and auditions are next week. NEWFEST submissions for the Rod Parker Playwrighting Award are due November 12, which means that Joe Antoun and his reading committee will start processing the submissions, of which we hope there are many. And the INTO THE WOODS director and design team have started to meet.

In addition, we are starting to look at ideas for next season, with the hopes of getting that chosen before winter break.

And then there are classes, mid terms and the attempts by all to stay healthy.

Daunting. Yet, as is the wont in theater, tremendously inspiring. The collaborative nature makes the work more enjoyable. The hard deadlines of an opening night provide focus. And the talent and dedication of our students, faculty and staff make the process a learning one.

Hopefully you came to see INCORRUPTIBLE and SIX CHARACTERS. Don't miss ESPERANZA RISING. And get your tickets to ILLYRIA.  The NEWFEST winner will be announced in December.

And then we will rest. For a bit.

On Monday our production of ESPERANZA RISING started rehearsals. ESPERANZA RISING is our TYA production in the beautiful Cutler Majestic Theatre, and will run from November 13-21. The play by Lynne Alvarez is adapted from the children's book by Pam Muñoz Ryan. It also has music by Victor Zupanc. We are very fortunate that Héctor Martínez Morales is working with us as the musical director, and Roxanne Schroeder-Arce is directing.

In my mind, I liken the eight full productions of our season to eight ships that set sail, have great adventures and then arrive back in port to share their bounty with our audiences. In this, the second week of classes, we have launched two such ships.

Incorruptible, by Michael Hollinger and directed by Benny Sato Ambush (right), started rehearsal on the first day of classes. This dark comedy about the dark ages will go up (arrive) at the end of October (22-25), during Parents Weekend.

Six Characters in Search of an Author, directed by Courtney O'Connor, had its first rehearsal last night. Our production of Luigi Pirandello's play will use the Robert Brustein translation. Here's a photo from the reading:
 
While this is an impressive sized cast (17 actors, seated in the circle with the director, stage managers, dramaturgs and assistant directors in the first row seats), as impressive is the production team behind the scenes:



One of the messages of this blog is how many people it takes to get these ships back into port. The shows websites will list the names. This blog will give you some insight as to the roles they all play.