You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant...

Or, so states Helena as she addresses Demetrius as he struggles to pull away from her grasp.  The follies of the four lovers in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT's Dream are truly some of the most comic, sad, exciting ... and bittersweet in the play. 

During the production, I am hoping to address many facets of each of these characters, without falling back on the stereotype of actor portrayals gone by...  I have already been asked many times about the actor requirements and technique structure I am looking for in the actors looking to play one of these roles. For the record, stereotypes, egos and short sightedness have no place in one of my productions. 

WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR - THIS PRODUCTION and the ACTORS
Of course, as always, I am looking for strong basic technique with clear, articulate voices and confident, motivated movement.  Not necessarily trained, seasoned actors, but artists with the pliability to be molded, taught, opened up to new concepts. Actors with a strong and professional work ethic, willing to look beyond what other actors have done before in other productions.  I will be looking for actor chemistry within couples, groups, and the cast, as a whole.

I want a fresh approach to these characters and a new look at the possibilities, without threatening Shakespeare's original intent.   Yes, we are setting in the Regency period and in doing so, I would like to look at the challenges that these characters faced, with a realistic approach -- it wasn't all cream tea and balls, now was it?  Of course, I would love to bring a little modernity into the production, as well...

 Well, perhaps not to that extent... 


CLUES to the LOVERS IN THIS PRODUCTION

Looking ahead, I do see certain things for each character... a clear (and still developing) series of visions invade my concept and (hopefully) I will find the actors that embody the ultimate mental picture I have conceptualized. Without a doubt, the four 'Lovers' must have strong movement ability.  There will be combat, there will be period dance, there will be a lot of energy sapping work involved with these roles!  Without giving away everything about the play (I do expect auditionees to be somewhat familiar with the play) or the conceptual aspects I plan to use, I will share 10 little clues about what is to come for these characters in this production:

1. First and foremost, all auditionees should realize I will be considering BOTH men and women for the role of Lysander.  I WILL be casting for energy / technique / actor chemistry and if an actress is deemed best for the role, Hermia and Lysandra will be a female couple.  This will result in an interesting historical challenge that I am excited to tackle. 
2. Fight... Fight... Fight - First rule about (Jane Austen) Fight Club is...
3. You may want to take a little look at the world of Jane Austen
4. There will be blood (lots of it in the woods...) 
5. Knowing and understanding the following terms is a major plus -  Barouche, spencer, barrister, bedlam, banns, reticule, curricle, cravat, 'setting one's cap', curate, pump room, coxcomb, dandy, chit, Tattersall's, the City, fop, foxed, weston, rake, spanish coin, abigail, Bath...
6. Demetrius really does enjoy driving up to London in his fancy Barouche and taking in a day of shopping
7. It is highly probable that Hermia and Lysander/Lysandra will find the occasion to sing
8. This group of lovers are true flocking followers when Puck is around
9. See a puppet show (marionettes)
10. Open your minds...

 Now, take a little time to digest these things... Soak up some information on the Regency period (roughly 1810 to 1820) and look for more to come next week!

Next Week - Titania, Oberon & Puck

I haven't forgotten you....

No, I have not forgotten to update the blog, but for the last week and a half my auto scheduler seems to have, so I shall shortly be manually posting the installment on the Lovers meant for last week.  I shall do the same next week with the post on Titania, Oberon and Puck.  Sorry for the late postings!

More to come soon!

And so it begins...

 And so... Here begins the run up to auditions for A Midsummer Night's Dream with Springfield StageWorks. 

Design meetings have begun and compiling the perfect Artistic Staff is well underway.  I am pleased to have secured the Set Design talents of Geoff Moss, who is already working hard on creating the set I need.  Also part of the Artistic Team are Plato Pavlatos designing lights, Larry Coressel with sound design and Roberta Stocker, who will be costuming.  Mary Sullivan will be taking on the task of one of my Assistant Directors/Rehearsal SM.  I am still considering resumes for another Assistant Director, Production Stage Managers and Choreographer. 

Just 8 weeks from now, we will have a cast ready to jump right into Shakespeare and bring to life many of the Bard's most loved and best known characters.  MIDSUMMER has been produced with many entertaining and inventive concepts, as well as the typical 'classical' approach.   Yes, when it comes to the classics (particularly Shakespeare), I do prefer the 'Commedia' traveling troupe style... a style which I have utilized many, many times for my own company; however, this production will be much different.  Bigger, in situ, more conceptualized. 

Yes, I am setting it in an historical time period... yes, I will respect the styling of the period (for the most part) and the text, BUT... I  looking for something a little 'different.'  I would like to take a look at the realities and raw existence of the characters within the chosen time period - Early 19th Century England... the Regency period.   So fill your mind with the sensibilities and ideals of 1806 ish England and let's begin this journey....

As with my previous show, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, I would like to take a fresh approach and look at all the characters and period styling.  I am hoping that all actors entering the cast will erase all preconceived ideas and values placed on each character and be ready to try something new. Over the next 2 months, I will be posting insights about concept, character clues, audition tips and information about the production.  Next week, I will begin with the lovers - Helena, Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius.  I have had many questions already about many of the other characters, but very few about this dynamic group --- a group which will be packed with fun and a load of challenges to be a part of!

As always, any questions can be sent directly to me!  More to come!