Though my journey with MIDSUMMER has now officially come to an end, there are a number of tasks still outstanding, as the process will not culminate until the summer performance at the Springfield Arts Festival. I still have another rehearsal schedule to prepare and implement, many shows yet to perform and make an appearance at, and loose ends still to tie up on this run. This journey has been rough -- rougher than expected -- as there has not been one day... not one hour of my life that has remain untouched by this show for nearly a year. I am utterly exhausted, injured and nearly broken. Every relationship I had prior to this process has been affected, with none remaining untouched... a few having been scarred or eradicated entirely. To be fair, one or two of them were hindered by other (but theatre related) circumstances during the process... but, the stress of those circumstances hindered my creative process, all the same, causing many stressful and blocked weeks. That stress contributed to more than my share of injuries, having fallen backstage breaking my foot, while my mind was on other things and falling yet again, while favoring one foot, only to sprain the other ankle. We joke about that 'M' word... And, yes, tho my favorite number is 13, I live with a black cat and my favorite day of the year is a Friday the 13th, I am a little superstitious. Nothing good has ever come from anyone saying that name in a theatre. I was not the only injury, with many actors slipping, falling, running into injuries in this very active and fast paced show.
However, through all of that, a show has emerged. One, which has remained a true picture of my vision. An enchanting & delightful piece, brought to life by a company of talented actors and amazing design team members. Each of these team members has dedicated many months to help embody my vision and bring it to the stage. They blended their own vision with mine to create a magical stage scene, with a depth bordering on reality, yet keeping us in the magical world of a dream.
I think the most magnificent of these belongs to my Lighting Designer, Plato Pavlatos, who took an old, challenged performance space, with extremely limited power and electrical issues, and gave me so many delightful and beautiful scenes to melt into my production. The set, by Geoff Moss, is amazing ---and costumes by Roberta Stocker (with much help from Kathleen Day, Connie Strait and the rest of the cast) also bring much to the production. Larry Coressel listened carefully to my needs for sound and music and created a 'soundtrack' which blends my vision with that of Shakespeare's original intention to bring to life an atmosphere of surreal, reality.
The company of actors is led by one of the most genuinely talented young performers I have ever come in contact with. Josh Katawick took a huge leap into the role of Puck, originally feeling he was better suited to a role such as Bottom. But, no... this young man trusted my vision, was off book (literally) immediately, took in every note and made the role his own, while keeping the integrity of my vision intact. I am thrilled to have him in my next production and am looking forward to watch the growth he makes as he begins to explore yet another challenging role.
This show is the 'debut' performance for a young lady who I have known for many years. Lisa Bernheim reluctantly took on the roles of Moth and Snout, while still finding time to photograph the entire process. Many of the photos you see in this blog have been taken by her. She, too, dove right into the production feet first and immersed herself in the beauty of theatre. She did WHATEVER was necessary to get the production 'up' and running. AND, she is the only individual never to have missed a rehearsal. She is, without a doubt, the hardest working cast member in this show. It has been a joy to finally have Lisa in one of my shows.
A few months ago, I was delighted to have the chance to work with Jacinda Bridger on a show. Now, as we move into production, I am even more thrilled to be able to say she is in MIDSUMMER. Her level of emotion and commitment to the character, the craft, and this show can be challenged by NO ONE. Actors make a lot of promises to directors when cast in a show, with many never keeping them. But, Jacinda kept every one and challenged others to keep theirs. Her bravery and trust in me, helped to empower the show and her onstage relationships, as well as her performance. I have found a friend in Jacinda, as well as a cast member.
So many amazing actors go into creating a company... so many personalities, so many egos, so many attitudes. But, in the end, they all come together and blend into the perfect recipe to create the perfect show.
The Lovers are such a vibrant and important part of the play... with their comic foibles and farcical love antics. With Chelsea Carey as Lysandra, Austin Smith as Demetrius and Judy Shaw as Helena (along with Jacinda Bridger as Hermia), these characters fight and love their way through the forest. Chelsea is a multi-talented actress, with a lively stage presence and amazing ability to play just about any tune on the violin. Austin is blessed with a dedication to each production and the task at hand, as well as growing steadily as one of the most talented young actors I know; and, Judy steals many a scene with her bright spark of energy and sense of fun with her characters.
The Fairies offer the production a delightful escape out of reality (or is it) and into the dream state of the play. Rebecca Baker brings the earth Mother beauty to the character of Titania, while Bengt Gregory-Brown as Oberon and Xander Gregory-Brown & Kenny Neal as Sprites and Silas Neal as the Changeling Child, let us see the darker, playful side of the Fairy land. Katie Paeg and Abigail Reisinger are truly delightful as Peaseblossom and Cobweb. Both also hold production jobs (Katie as our Directing Intern and Abby as our Production assistant) and both have been invaluable to ALL ASPECTS of the production. These are two young people I can truly say, have made the show what it is becoming.
The Mechanicals - Connie Strait as Quince, Daniel Wilson as Bottom, Adam Hardy as Starvling, Patrick Taylor as Flute and James Michael Fazio as Snug, bring their fun personalities and farcical humor to the play. This talented team have brought so many fun and delightful quirks to their scenes, that I can't imagine any other ensemble being any more together.
Mortals are truly such fools and ours are no exception. John Fredland as Theseus and Kelly Bennington as Hippolyta, bring a fun chemistry to these sometimes 'dry' characters. I have worked with both many times and would do so again in a heartbeat. Kelly is one of the best rehearsal stage managers / assistant directors around and John (who played my son in TITUS ANDRONICUS last year) has put so much heart and soul into his work on stage, that I can do nothing more than adore working with him. Kathleen Day, as Egea has been a great added attraction to the show, with her dedication to text, Shakespeare and the production in general, she is another person I am thrilled to have as part of the show. And, what would the show be without the ensemble actors who tie it all together? Nothing! Jon Dowler, Ralf Paeg and Mary Sullivan, all without much performance experience, have stepped in to complete this show and make it a successful venture for all concerned!
As we hit our final photo calls next week, I will post more photos of others, but for now...
The rehearsal process has ended (but for the daily combat and dance calls) and it is now time to settle into the comfort of the production run. There has been an unusually low amount of 'actor drama' until the last week or so, when it blew up to the proportions of what I had been forewarned about prior to casting, but overall it has been an enjoyable journey. A journey I would happily undertake again!
Now to quote my previous show... 'We've made enchantment...'
