Like an the dramatic thread of any story, every production has its natural arc. You start with the exposition with casting, early design meetings and incessant readings of the script. You spark the process with the inciting incident, the First Readthrough. You work at the rising action with your table talk, blocking, working sessions and tech week.
Then before you know it, you are at the climax...production. The tech is (hopefully) set, the audience shows up, roses are distributed and lights come up on stage as the first line of the first night of production is delivered. The first line is always an earth-shattering event for me. Every night of every performance holds such power for me.
Then the falling action and denouement...
And here's the point. It is within the falling action that you discover the reasons you did a production. You ask yourself, 'what is it that I have taken away from this experience?'
The reasons people do theater are numerous. Whether it is activism, or 'showing off' or even therapy...I won't go into that here. I find that for me, personally, it varies from show to show. Last night, I had some time for reflection, and thought about what Marisol has meant for me.
The themes of Marisol are relevant, the message essential and the text beautiful...but what I have taken away from this production is something that a script alone cannot provide.
The relationships. This cast and crew have brought insight and meaning to this production at a level that I had not anticipated.
I treasure the conversations we had as we delved into the script. I relish the energy everyone brings to their roles.
Early on in the process, we talked about artifacts of power...the containers in which we place our identities, thus transferring power to inanimate objects.
I believe this cast and crew has made this play a vessel of great power. They have placed their thoughts, minds and souls into this production, and through their sacrifice beautiful acts of creation have come into being.
Towards the end of Act II, Marisol says "What a time to be alive, huh? On one hand we're nothing. We're dirt. On the other hand, we're the reason the universe was made."
What do I take away from this production? I take away all the beautiful experiences and insights the cast and crew have given me. The reason behind the universe is all of us...and I am thankful for each and everyone of you.
Thank you, cast and crew, for everything you have brought to this striking production. Have an incredible second weekend of performances.
Then before you know it, you are at the climax...production. The tech is (hopefully) set, the audience shows up, roses are distributed and lights come up on stage as the first line of the first night of production is delivered. The first line is always an earth-shattering event for me. Every night of every performance holds such power for me.
Then the falling action and denouement...
And here's the point. It is within the falling action that you discover the reasons you did a production. You ask yourself, 'what is it that I have taken away from this experience?'
The reasons people do theater are numerous. Whether it is activism, or 'showing off' or even therapy...I won't go into that here. I find that for me, personally, it varies from show to show. Last night, I had some time for reflection, and thought about what Marisol has meant for me.
The themes of Marisol are relevant, the message essential and the text beautiful...but what I have taken away from this production is something that a script alone cannot provide.
The relationships. This cast and crew have brought insight and meaning to this production at a level that I had not anticipated.
I treasure the conversations we had as we delved into the script. I relish the energy everyone brings to their roles.
Early on in the process, we talked about artifacts of power...the containers in which we place our identities, thus transferring power to inanimate objects.
I believe this cast and crew has made this play a vessel of great power. They have placed their thoughts, minds and souls into this production, and through their sacrifice beautiful acts of creation have come into being.
Towards the end of Act II, Marisol says "What a time to be alive, huh? On one hand we're nothing. We're dirt. On the other hand, we're the reason the universe was made."
What do I take away from this production? I take away all the beautiful experiences and insights the cast and crew have given me. The reason behind the universe is all of us...and I am thankful for each and everyone of you.
Thank you, cast and crew, for everything you have brought to this striking production. Have an incredible second weekend of performances.
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