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Updated 3-22-11
Monday, March 21st
Going to St. Ives closed on Saturday, March 19th, after an extremely successful run and very positive reviews. It was one of those rare experiences where every facet of the production came together perfectly and transported our audiences on a journey of deep reflection. Many audience members chose to stay for our nightly talkbacks and expressed how moved they were by what they had just experienced. St. Ives was also the subject of our inaugural Play Club -- a great way to engage interested community members in our theatrical world. On behalf of FTC, I would like to thank everyone for their support and enthusiasm for this production. We look forward to seeing you at the theater for our next show, Moonlight and Magnolias!
One of the nightly talkbacks facilitated by Richard Ganoung with actresses Colleen Madden and Olivia Dawson
Friday, March 11th
Going to St. Ives has moved into its second week of performances in the Promenade Hall of Overture Center. Throughout the run so far, we have been very fortunate to have large audiences, standing ovations, and glowing reviews. In addition, our nightly talkbacks have been stimulating -- great questions, great discussions, and a great opportunity for the community to get to know the faces and personalities behind Forward Theater. House manager Celia Klehr, along with other members of the FTC advisory company and board, greets our audience every evening and she listens to conversations at intermission hoping to catch an "audience tidbit" to publish on our website. Here's the tidbit from March 11th: "It's like a dance, only you don't know who's leading."
The overall reaction to this production is one of awe. Olivia and Colleen give masterful performances and continue to explore their complex characters, growing with the piece at every performance. The experience I'm gleaning from "the other side of the table" is most rewarding as I interact directly with the audience before, during, and after a performance. Artistic director Jen Gray asked me last night, "It's quite a different feeling experiencing the play from more than an actor's standpoint, isn't it?" I wholeheartedly agree!
Monday, March 7th
Last week was our first public preview of Going To St. Ives, adding the audience into the dynamics of this labor of love. Remember when, as a child, you had that special project you were working on in school? The project that would eventually turn into a surprise gift for your parents, displayed proudly on the refrigerator door? Well that's how I feel as an actor during the opening week of a play -- so nervous about how this fragile gift will be received, so proud of my accomplishment, so hoping it will be treasured.
Well, when the applause began at the end of that first performance, that familiar feeling rushed back. Yes, the connection was made. Yes, our gift was received and appreciated. Yes, we hope this precious keepsake will remain in the hearts of our community for many years. What an amazing journey it has been!
Photo by Zane Williams
Monday, February 28th
After three weeks in our rehearsal space, the residents of St. Ives moved to Promenade Hall in Overture Center on Saturday. At the theater we joined our fabulous design team and moved closer to completing this masterpiece. On Saturday we launched into our "10 out of 12," which refers to the technical rehearsal when the set designer, lighting designer, sound designer, costume designer and backstage crew are added to the show. Every facet of the production is fine-tuned. I particularly enjoy tech week because it's an opportunity to really get your bearings in the performance space. It's the first time actors are given their complete costumes, which helps get them in character, and it's the first time they are truly interacting with the set and lights. At these rehearsals the director moves about the house to check sight lines and makes sure the play is visually balanced. Looking forward to our final rehearsal tomorrow and our first dress rehearsal!
Wednesday, February 23rd
While "going to St. Ives" yesterday, I encountered eight ambassadors (FTC Play Club members!). Each ambassador had read two plays by Lee Blessing, and after a sneak peek of rehearsal, we convened at True Coffee Roasters in Fitchburg to discuss our journeys with the pieces. Director of Audience Development Julia Nicholas had assembled a savvy group of theater lovers to experience Going To St. Ives from page to stage. This group enjoyed a rousing discussion of Blessing's earlier work, A Walk In The Woods, and segued into a discussion of the themes of St. Ives and a general discussion of the theatrical experience itself. After studying and discussing the text, watching the actors and director work together in rehearsal, and previewing the designs for the show, these lucky folks will see the play come to life with all the elements in place. What a great experience!
We're opening next week -- I can't wait!
Assistant director Richard Ganoung (right) shows the Going to St. Ives set model to members of the Play Club
Saturday, February 19th
Rhythm, arc, shape, air.....These terms are often used in architecture, music, or sculpting, as an artist constructs a piece. They are also terms used by director Laura Gordon as she works with our actors to delicately construct scenes in St. Ives. Today in rehearsal I was conscious of the ebb and flow of this moving piece, listening to the rhythms of the conversations, watching the arc of the story as it unfolded. I tried to observe the scenes with a detached eye, analyzing the actual construction of the play instead of focusing on the emotional impact of the story. Watching rehearsals, I am privy to the process of "discovery" that the two actors and the director enjoy. I am learning that any good director allows the play to reveal itself slowly through the rehearsal process rather than forcing it to fit a preconceived notion. Watching St. Ives being born is a fascinating, humbling process. I have more and more respect for the creation of art -- in all forms.
Photo left: Olivia Dawson as May N'Kame, Stage Manager Jacki Singleton, Asst Stage Manager Kim Patch, Director Laura Gordon and Colleen Madden as Dr. Cora Gage; Photo right: Olivia Dawson and Colleen Madden
Sunday, February 13th
While I was Going to St. Ives this past week I got sidetracked by The Love that Changed My Life. When I arrived in St. Ives today I discovered it had moved from “table work” and was on its feet! (The phrase “on its feet” refers to the process of blocking – telling the actors where and when to move onstage.) I also discovered upon my arrival that the actors were almost completely off-book for the first act, after only six days. Should I really be surprised when we're dealing with actresses of this caliber? I think not. During the first read-through these two powerhouses were already locking gazes and even getting up from the table. When I watch them, I can’t help thinking of thoroughbreds chomping at the gate ready for a run. It’s a joy to watch actors who so obviously love what they’re doing.
Yours truly sits quietly in this room, watching director Laura Gordon sculpt. Always speaking in quiet tones and getting up from her chair to engage, gently, reassuringly......knowingly. I am in this room not as a performer, but merely to observe the process -- to see how the myriad pieces all fit, and to observe the interaction of the several professionals assembled. From Jacqui and Kim in stage management, to Frank our learned dramaturg, I'm there to watch these cooks add their own special ingredients to the pot and stir. Today I got a whiff of something. It was fleeting and I kept trying to identify the flavor but was overwhelmed by the next aroma, and the next, and the next, and the next.....
Wednesday, February 9th
Our “meet and greet” for Going to St. Ives took place yesterday at FTC'’s rehearsal space in Fitchburg, where we hosted some 30 supporters, including an amazing design team who wowed us all with their presentations. After introductions and presentations our audience was treated to a first read-through of the play by the stellar actresses, Colleen Madden and Olivia Dawson. The small audience was visibly moved by the complex themes author Lee Blessing has woven into this compelling and intricate drama. After the read through everyone gathered for a traditional English Tea hosted by advisory company member Celia Klehr, which included cucumber sandwiches and absolutely to-die-for Linzer cookies.
After the tea, the real rehearsal began with the two actors, director, stage management team, dramaturg and yours truly, the director’s assistant. We settled in to do some “table work” -- full and open discussions of a wide variety of subjects, from simple pronunciation of words, to the more complex analysis of the play’s themes. This process generally can take two or three days and allows the actors to fully understand the text of the play before they get on their feet and begin blocking. As the onion is peeled, we delve more and more into each character’s motivations and inner psychological workings. St. Ivesis such an amazing play because two characters are discussing deeply universal themes of motherhood, atonement, identity, and place, all while sitting quietly and sipping tea. Today we continue the table work process and discussion as the play slowly reveals itself to us.
What I learned as a novice directing student yesterday was that before the varied components of a production come together, each artist must have a complete grasp of what will be required of them throughout the process, and that the designers themselves must know every nuance of the play we are all serving. The work begins way before rehearsals start. It’s truly exhilarating to live within the world of live theater!
Saturday, February 5th
I write this entry three days before the first rehearsal begins on Tuesday, February 8th. There have already been a number of production meetings for this play, and soon we add the actors. I can’t wait.
From the moment I saw Laura Gordon star in a production of Going to St. Ives in Milwaukee, I was smitten by the quiet intensity of this moving piece and I knew I wanted Forward Theater to consider doing it. The play is the second offering for FTC’s second season, and I'm Ms. Gordon’s assistant director for this powerful drama. I am filled with anticipation for what I know will be a rewarding experience!
I have been a professional actor for 22 years, but I have always worked on stage, never behind the scenes. I am looking forward to observing and learning about the directing process at the hands of an artist I truly admire. From the very first production meeting of designers for Going to St. Ives I sensed a wonderfully collaborative atmosphere, and I was truly impressed with how each member of the team had a thorough grasp of the material as they displayed their individual disciplines. A theatrical presentation is made up of so many facets, the work of so many artists that the audience never sees. When you have great designers, the audience never really notices any individual components -- the event becomes a seamless expression of so many talents that blend together. I guess it falls on the shoulders of a fine director to help blend these elements with an even hand and to balance them all. Lesson #1 for the novice director: Theater is collaborative and all elements contribute to a great production.
