Jamie Dunn

Let it Rain

Howdy,

Had a wonderful meeting with Sarah Sidman last week. We covered all the topics, late Fall Dusk, working lanterns, and more excitedly Sarah brought in an idea about pre-show. I don't usually think of pre-show as a time for telling the story. It is more of a time to create an environment to experience the play. Sarah's idea will do this. Oh, Sarah's idea was to not treat the space, the treehouse, as indoors, but to establish the outside environment - the rain, through sound and lights during the pre-show. When the play starts we are going to focus on the outside environment only how it is seen through the treehouse. This opening idea is a way for the storm to be realized in the audience's mind - and not seem so sudden at the end of the play. Well, it does a lot of things. The other designers, Scott, and myself think it's great.

Also, got an email from Betsy - who believes she can get all of what she needs regarding sound equipment. It is very exciting to start to put the pieces together all within a budget. It forces us to be creative, yet always serving the play. I wish I could attach a beautiful picture of what an ear monitor will do for making the transistor radio be a successful and beautiful element of the play. Until I can figure out how to do that - I will instead post a new design for a tree, that is within our budget, (I believe), and is very exciting artistically. Above is new draft of the model. I look forward to watching how the rest comes together. 

I was going to blog earlier but I was so happy to see Eric T. Miller's face on the blog I thought it best to it sit at the top of the sight for a while. Can't wait to see Jamie Dunn in video as well.

Goodnight,

Padraic

Eric T. Miller 4/20/09

Limitations allow for creativity

Howdy,

Talked with Lea tonight about her conversation with a prospective shop. Our desire for the design is very close to the budget. The discussion about the decisions that have to be made to come within the budget allowed us to think creatively about somethings we've wanted all along. We are going to look for a well designed, stylized, way to realize the tree. Freeing ourselves from the 'expense' of the realistic tree - then moves us toward, what is the world of the play we are creating, what does this tree have to be. It is an exciting conversation because we are trying to present this rich world of Scott's - without fully realizing it. The reason for not fully realizing it - is because the play grows in scope each time it is experienced, and it is important for the set to not to dwarf the play. It wants to allow for a vastness that resides in the poetry of Scott's world. Part of that vastness is in the imagination, so it is a dance ( a nice metaphor for this play) to find the balance of creating the world of the play while allowing for the imagination of the possible to take place in the audience's mind.

The conversation with Lea perfectly dovetailed with some of Scott's thoughts he shared with me today about the need for intimacy in the space. I love that everyone is thinking about the story of the play...and what is essential. Speaking of essential - the shop Lea talked to today said something lovely, when she suggested what might be able to be cut to save on costs, he cautioned her because he thought she had given just the right balance of what was required to communicate the world. So nice for him to recognize that. It encouraged us to talk about solutions in a different way.

I'm looking forward to my meeting with Sarah Sidman tomorrow, now the Knives and other Sharp Objectives is up and running, and her other show (Angela's Mixed Tape - I think) is out of tech. Very glad she is busy, happier that she is free to talk. Look forward to sharing those conversations - and answering questions about lanterns, matches, and late summer dusk.

goodnight,

Padraic

it's official

Howdy,

So today the announcement of the production is in the NYTimes. Alchemy Theater in association with LAByrinth Theater will present Sweet Storm at the Kirk Theater. Previews begin June 11th.

Almost the entire creative team is coming back and we also welcome Kate Rafey from the Clark production. She will be working backstage and assisting Jessica. It is very exciting that the announcement has been made. I will say the challenge from workshop to production are the same as on any play. We are now battling with achieving what is best for the play and working within the budget. That is a battle no matter what the budget. So far that challenge has added to thinking about what is the essence of the play. The designers, Scott, and myself agree what is most important is seeing the world through the Treehouse.  The orchard, the storm, time of day... all of it is important only in how it effects the world of Bo and Ruthie. The set, lighting, and sound will support this idea. To use a word from my conversation with Sarah - 'elegant'.  The minimal presentation will give us an elegant production of this beautiful play.

Clark is lending us some props from the workshop we did there. And Lea has been shopping - finding bargains, for gardenias, period coolers, fishing tackle. The work in earnest is beginning.

Tomorrow the set goes to a shop to be bid. From there we learn if our desire for what we think is 'minimal' is within our budget. And then conversations will begin again - around what is essential. The question of what is 'essential' has been what has taught me the most about the play. A door, a tree, a bed... and vulnerable first time lovers. That is what is essential for this play.

Above is the image of the set at the moment. Look forward to continued discussions and reading the NYTimes on the subway tomorrow. 

Goodnight,

Padraic