Nearly there...

This will be a quickie--

We are well into Tech week... costumes are going in, lights and sound are headed in at the end of the week and the actors are more than ready... Just a little tired and playful this week.  

Here is the Early Rehearsal Trailer!  Created by Anthony Chiles.

Last week was eventful, as I broke my foot backstage.  Literally, breaking a leg (well, a foot) for my show.  Supposed to be off it for 6 weeks, but the show makes that impossible and as when I am in production, that is the most important thing to me...  My cast and crew are working extremely hard to make things so much easier on me... As are my friends and family, who have definitely gone out of their way to make sure I can get done what I need (particularly a director friend who has his own competing show to worry about.)   Without these people, this show would have halted.  Because of this injury, I do not get to jump in and play Hippolyta on understudy night... I was actually looking forward to this, as it was the only female character in MIDSUMMER I have not yet played!  Ah well...

Now, for the cast and crew update!  There have been a few changes and alterations as the cast has grown and developed...

Director - Lisa Howard-Welch
Assistant Directors - Kelly Bennington & Mary Sullivan
Directing Intern - Katie Paeg
Production Assistant - Abby Reisenger
Stage Managers - Juliet Howard-Welch, Kelly Bennington, Abby Reisenger
Costumer - Roberta Stocker
Sound - Larry Coressel
Fight Director - Josh Katawick
Set Design - Geoffrey Moss
Choreography - Lisa Howard-Welch
Fight Captain - Austin Smith
Dance Captain - Kelly Bennington
Photographer - Lisa Bernheim
Light Board - Chris Stevens


Theseus - John Fredland
Hippolyta / Titania U/S - Kelly Bennington
Hippolyta U/S - Michelle Graham
Puck - Josh Katawick
Titania - Rebecca Baker
Oberon - Bengt Gregory-Brown
Hermia - Jacinda Bridger
Lysandra - Chelsea Carey
Helena - Judy Shaw
Demetrius - Austin Smith
Bottom - Daniel Wilson'
Quince - Connie Strait
First Fairy - Abby Reisenger / Juliet Howard-Welch
Snout / Moth/ Ensemble  - Lisa Bernheim
Cobweb -  Katie Paeg
Starvling - Adam Hardy
Flute - Patrick Taylor
Snug - James Michael Fazio
Sprites - Xander Gregory-Brown, Kenny Neal
Changeling - Silas Neal
Ensemble - Jon Dowler, Ralf Paeg,  Mary Sullivan


That's it for now!

And, I hope, Here is a play fitted...

Now that the formal auditions are over, it is time to welcome an incredibly talented and versatile cast to our production!  

Thank you, Thank you all you talented people!

I was thrilled to see so many talented people all in one room.  Sadly, I have had to turn a few people away, which is always a difficult thing for me to do.  But, after much deliberation, I have compiled what I consider an amazing cast --- a cast packed with actors, who will bring an exceptional variety of both professional and amateur experience and skill to the production.    

Additional Auditions for Oberon and Ensemble

Unfortunately, I did not see the 'right' actor for two of the roles:  Oberon and Egeus.  I will likely fill Egeus from the performance company, but I am still looking to read more actors for the role of Oberon.  Please reach out to your friends and colleagues and refer them back to me, if you know of someone who would be interested.  

I am also looking for at least 2 more Ensemble cast members, aged 20+.  I will be seeking additional auditionees for the Ensemble over the next several weeks, so also keep this in mind as your speak to other people who love to perform.  Those I have chosen for the ensemble already, are listed below.  Several more are still under consideration and will be contacted individually, but not later than February 6, 2012.  I have not assigned specific ensemble roles in this post, but many of you have already been informed of what initial role in the ensemble you will be offered.  

And, Now What You Have Been Waiting For...

It is vital that you accept or decline your role, NOT LATER than 9pm Thursday, February 2 by e-mailing the director. 

Now, with no further delay...

• Puck  - Josh Katawick
• Theseus  - John Fredland
• Hippolyta - Kelly Bennington
• Egea - Jennifer Slovacek Lintz
• Titania  - Rebecca Baker
• Oberon - Bengt Gregory - Brown
• Hermia  - Jacinda Bridger
• Lysandra - Chelsea Carey
• Demetrius  - Austin Smith
• Helena  - Judy Shaw
• Quince  - Connie Strait
• Bottom - Daniel Wilson
• Flute - Patrick Taylor
• Snout -  Lisa Bernheim
• Starvling  - Adam Hardy
• Snug - James Fazio
• First Fairy (Peaseblossom) - Allison Husko

•  Preliminary Ensemble (Fairies / Attendants)  
• Katie Paeg        
• Lisa Bernheim        
• Juliet Howard-Welch (W/E2)

• Understudy Team 
• Puck Understudy - Allison Husko
• Titania & Female U/S - Kelly Bennington
• Demetrius & Male Understudy - Adam Hardy

FIRST REHEARSALS

As there were a number of conflicts given for the week of February 6th, we will begin full rehearsals on Monday, February 13 at 6:30pm, with a table read for principal and featured cast only (No ensemble required.)  However, I would like to start scene and character work with Helena, Hermia, Lysandra and Demetrius on Tuesday, February 7th at 7pm at the State Theatre.  We may also have another session on  Thursday, February 9th, pending need.   

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

A copy of the full rehearsal schedule will be part of the First Rehearsal Paperwork, which will be available at the Table read.  Scripts for the 'Lovers' are available now and will be given out on February 7th.  It will also be posted on Window's live calendar before the first table readthrough.  A link will be provided in a future blog post.  It will take a few days for me to translate all the rehearsal conflicts into a viable schedule, but keep an eye out for it.   

Ensemble will not be required for regular rehearsals immediately.  The Ensemble schedule will be detailed clearly in the schedule. 

SCRIPT PICK-UP

Scripts will be available at the first rehearsal.  Ensemble cast will be able to stop in to the theatre at that time to pick up their scripts, if they like, but will not be asked to stay. 

If you travel through or live in the Dayton Area and would like to get your script early, please let me know and I can arrange for you to pick up one directly from me.  

Finally -- A few other comments... 

You should bookmark this blog, as many notes and comments on production will be posted here.  There are times I may use this forum to communicate with you, but I will normally use a Bi-Weekly e-mail update, so make sure you add my e-mail, LisaLHW@att.net to your accepted e-mail addresses.  As we get closer to opening, those updates will become more frequent.  

In the meantime, feel free to ask as many questions as you like!

Love wooed by the sword...

As we move closer to the 2 week mark (until auditions), we shall round out our look at the characters of A Midsummer Night's Dream with a quickie view of some of the other mortals -- Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, town folk and  Attendants and the direction I will be heading with them. 

It is not likely that I will use the same actors for Theseus and Hippolyta / Titania and Oberon.  That has been one of the most asked questions... strangely.  I hope to create a slightly more immersive atmosphere, where characters truly exist, move around and appear in scenes they may not have been given lines in.There will be some connective scenes and activity where Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus and the town folk appear and live an everyday life.  Therefore, I really would like to keep Theseus and Hippolyta available for that -- and not rushing around costume changes.  There will be playful banter and movement throughout the show, and I need a very strong ensemble to handle that!  

 

 Additionally, we will explore a little mythology and Greek history as part of our character development and table work, and incorporate that right into our production.  We will not be ruled by the myth, but allow it to enhance characterization.  Yes, we are keeping our 'world' in Athens -- with a tiny alteration... 

 

Theseus and Hippolyta are two very accomplished and passionate individuals.  Both strong physically, they do have a little emotional fragility, which they will show on occasion.  Both heroes in their own right, they have distinct personality strength and very powerful opinions. 

 

After all, Theseus took out a Minotaur and Hippolyta comes from the land that brought us Wonder Woman... 

Seriously though, these two characters will do battle in a number of ways on stage... 

As for Egeus, Hermia's father (or mother), he / she  will be full of pomposity, pretense and all other aspects of obnoxious 'not-quite-aristocracy' society.  As you might expect, I will also ask for a bit of humanity to be thrown in for good measure. The Townspeople and attendants will also be an integral part of scene movement, any dance work we do and of course adding to the playfulness of each scene and transition. I will want all sorts of characters represented, so there is a lot of scope for character development.  

From a country strawberry picking picnic to a full country Regency wedding to a Ball... all of it will be represented in this production.  In my opinion, the Ensemble looks like a lot of fun to be a part of!  I may have to participate in it one night!

Over the next 16 days, I will be posting about what to expect at auditions, what to expect from me as a director, what I want to see from you at auditions and some basic information about the final product (show.)  

Stay tuned...

Hand in hand, with fairy grace, Will we sing, and bless this place... Titania, Oberon, Puck and the Fairies

The way to read a fairy tale is to throw yourself in.
~W. H. Auden 

When I was a little girl, I always believed in fairies and sprites. I knew they lived at the bottom of the garden, were always there to make wishes come true and were very, very mischievous.  They were my invisible friends (though at times, I may have convinced myself I could see them), my confidantes, my dream weavers.  Yeah... I had a an overactive imagination. 

Shakespeare seemed to agree... at least about the mischievous part.  The fairies and forest creatures he has has brought to life in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT's DREAM do have more to offer than traditional fairyland myth and mayhem.  Yes, the fairy creatures  in MIDSUMMER do live in an ethereal world, based on Greek myth and theory... BUT, they are also very human in their actions, emotions and reality.  They fight like humans... they play like humans... they think with a mortal slant... they have memories as a human mortal does... they retaliate and connive like a human might... and, clearly they Feel like a human.  Pain, elation, sadness, jealousy, joy, happiness...  It is all there.

In this production, I will be looking to bring these characters to life with all the mystery and magic of the fairy myth, while still achieving a sense of humanity, both in physicality and emotionality.  Costuming will not be the typical chiffon and wire wings.   Titania, Puck and Oberon will be in period dress similar to the mortal characters, yet each will have a distinct set of traits which costuming will assist them in pulling out in performance.  As with the other characters, auditioning actors have asked me for some clues about what I will be looking for.  As I stated in the last post about the Lovers (and probably will again for the Mechanicals), I am looking to create a production that will...


"...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..."

CLUES to the Fairies IN THIS PRODUCTION
Yes, I have a very specific vision for each of these characters.  This vision is still developing and most certainly shall continue to do so once we enter the rehearsal process in a month or so.  Each of these characters is iconic and I am hoping to find the actors that truly embody the concept, without falling back on the stereotype of past performances.   

Without a doubt, the Fairies must have incredible vocal strength and ability.  Vocal level, emotional conveyance and handling, breath control, technique... all aspects I will be looking for in the actors who ultimately get the roles.  Strong, motivated, and connected movement is also important.  Like the lovers, there will be some combat and period dance.  Ideally, I would like Titania to be able to sing.  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. Puck is a bit of a Puppet Master and will control many aspects of the show.  He/she must be able to handle animated, sometimes awkward, energized movement... the entire show!  
2. Titania must be able to 'stop traffic', both with her presence and her voice.  She must have a charisma that pulls all attention to her.  She is an 'Earth Mother' type of character, who takes control, is the ultimate power.
3. Titania is in control of Oberon, though they do have a definite 'give and take' and then take revenge type of relationship... But, Titania and Oberon's relationship is a symphony of emotion and they do belong together.  They are compatible and work in harmony...
4. My Fairies will NOT have wings!  They will have physicality and costuming indicative of 'who' they are, what they are... They will come alive from 'nothing'... sometimes inanimate, sometimes ethereal, others corporeal and highly animate.
5.  The Fairies and Sprites MUST have a great handling of movement (or strong dance ability), as they will be challenged by awkward positions and sometimes 'crazy' movement and blocking.  
6. The Fairies will likely be onstage most of the show in 'some capacity'
7. Like the Lovers, there will be the potential for combat and a little 'Fight Club philosophy' pending the physical experience and ability level of the actors cast
8. You WILL want to take a little look at the world of Jane Austen
9. There will be a lot of scope for actor input within the concept 
10. Open your Minds -- Immerse yourself into the world of the unseen... read a fairy tale, do some visualization, believe in the unbelievable.   Let your imagination run free...

 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 Time - Midsummer and Me....

Come on girls.... get ready to fight

Well, to start off the fun, let's take a look at this interesting little video...

 JAFC Video

Those interested in auditioning for Helena or Hermia should take note...

Also, take a look at the official facebook event page for additional information, or to let us know you are coming to audition!

Midsummer Auditions Event Page



AND... keep your eyes open for additional little tidbits once my current show has finished in November.