Stagecraft: From Script to Stage - Volume IV

This will be a continuing series of blogs that will cover the development of the play I am working on. Inspired by the Production Diaries and Behind-the-Scenes videos on newer DVDs, I have decided to showcase some of the drama behind the dramas that are put up on stage.

So after another long delay I post another of the volumes of this series on directing a play. I last posted in August when the cast and I began the actual blocking of the movements on our temporary stage in the basement of my parent's house. Unlike many professional groups, we don't have a dedicated theatre for rehearsals and we often are left to the basement of some kind volunteer's home. My parents have hosted rehearsals several times in the past and as always they were most accomodating to having their home invaded by all of us several times a week.

Now we are in the last week of rehearsals before we finally go on stage for an audience. Normally we have one day of dress rehearsal in which we work out the last kinks in the process. This includes any problems we have from the technical side. Not having rehearsals in the actual theatre means that the technical crew, namely the light and sound personnel, cannot get an idea of what they will have to work with at the theatre. Due to the number of activities going on these days, especially around this time of year, theatres simply aren't available. As a result, we were unable to secure a date for the dress rehearsal. So we did the next best thing and had everyone dressed up in their various costumes this past weekend.

We had made small nooks in the basement where the cast could change costumes in relative privacy. And despite having only one 'dressing room' the cast did well and were able to make their changes relatively quickly. Likewise, the sound and light team ran through their cues verbally and have gotten comfortable with their parts. Watching it all from a distance, you tend to get an appreciation of what a fine balance there is in any such production. The key factor is having a team that you can rely on.

I have been lucky in that I have a team that has worked very hard with me and for me. Being a first time director I was worried about how the whole thing would come together; but my fears have been put aside. Slowly but surely the production is coming together. The commercial has been airing every weekend; the flyers have long since been mailed; and the ticket sales are underway. We have a handful of rehearsals this week and then we shall hit the stage bright and early on Sunday. There is a sense of excitement building as we get closer. Seeing something I have been working on for more than a year will be quite fulfilling.