This was our last "regular" week of rehearsal. Regular is in quotation marks because there is nothing regular about the rehearsal process of any show, but this past week was the last one where we followed our typical rehearsal schedule of Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We really focused on adding in props as well as getting more and more of our set pieces in. We also recorded the couple of parts that we use video for throughout the show.
Starting today, we go into tech week. It is definitely the hardest part of the rehearsal process because we are bringing in all of the tech elements (lighting, sound, a full band, stagehands moving the set, etc.) and we only have a few days too do it all before we start getting audiences to see the show. It all starts with a 10-hour long tech Sunday where we do our cue-to-cue (which is where we go from light/sound cue to light/sound cue, stopping when there is a new one all the way through the show. This is where the Stage Manager, the incomparable Anne Garren, works closely with Lighting and Sound Designers Rob Bowen and Adam Cohen. It's definitely the most important day for Anne and the cast as we start to finish the house that is the show.
This week was tough when it came to taking video for the vlog, partially because I was sick, but also because it's hard to catch our set designer, Jill Summers, long enough to get some video this close to tech week. But, I was finally able to catch her and she gave me some great insight to some of the magic of the set, as well as her background in set design. I was also able to catch Ben Harrison, one of the set painters, to get some words about his process and his mural business. It's all so fascinating to watch this set coming alive right in front of our eyes!
One of my favorite things, whether I am acting or stage managing, is when I walk into the theatre and see everything that Jill's build crew has done since the last time I was in the theatre. It really is quite magical to see the stage go from just a blank black stage to what you see when the curtain opens in only 5 weeks! Pictures don't do it justice, you really need to come to Asheville Community Theatre to see it all!
Join us next week as I take you behind the scenes of tech week and our opening weekend. I will not be posting these blogs and videos on Sunday mornings from here on out, but be looking for them around the middle of the week! See how the crew and actors prepare for performances and you all may even get a little look at the magic that takes place backstage!
The show runs from October 4th – 27th. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30p, with Sunday shows starting at 2:30p. Thursdays shows (October 17th & 24th) also starts at 7:30p. Theatre doors open 30 minutes before the show starts and there is a great selection at our concession stand! To buy tickets, and for further information, please visit their website http://ashevilletheatre.org/events/the-wizard-of-oz/
As always, if you have any questions for me or anyone else with the show, comment on the blog, YouTube video, Facebook, or if you’re on Instagram or Twitter, send questions to me @theonejohno #AskTheWizard#AskTheWizard.
Until next time...