November 2011
9 posts
My Three Angels: First Dress
Madame Parole (Teresa Doggett) shares a secret about her taste for Chartreuse with Emilie (Penney Kols).
I LOVE dress rehearsals. There is always this magical moment when all the actors put on their costumes for the first time and really look at each other is if to say, “Oh, that’s who you are.” It’s amazing for everyone to suddenly being seeing the world of the play...
5 tags
My Three Angels: Tech Run-Through
Madame Parole’s (Teresa Doggett) makes her grand entrance into the Ducotel home as Felix (Larry Dell) looks through his messy books.
Nobody ever said transitioning from a rehearsal space into a performance space would be easy. The run last night went pretty much as expected. Was it a brilliant evening at the theatre? No. Of course not, but that’s part of the process of putting a...
5 tags
My Three Angels: Bits and Pieces
The set in progress.
In many ways, directing is just a gradual process of letting go. I begin with ideas in my head then attempt to communicate those ideas with others- designers and actors. Once they start imposing their own creative energy and processes, the play takes on a life of its own. There’s a little bit of magic in that.
I can guide, direct, answer questions, say...
4 tags
My Three Angels: Technical Elements
Outside the Gaslight Theatre (358 N. Boyle Ave.) home of the St. Louis Actors’ Studio.
In our short time together, I have admittedly been spending most of my time working with the cast in our makeshift rehearsal space in the building next door to the performance space. Rarely in a rehearsal process do I have the luxury of rehearsing in the performance space until tech. And with good...
5 tags
My Three Angels: Second Run-Through
Emilie (Penney Kols) muses over her life with Felix (Larry Dell).
And … YES! The cast took an enormous step forward on Wednesday night’s second run-through of the show. (Sigh of relief). Knowing that we going were into a night off for Thanksgiving and then quickly moving into tech with all the complications and challenges that adds to the process- I wanted us to have a solid...
5 tags
My Three Angels: First Run-Through
Emilie (Penney Kols) and Felix (Larry Dell) discuss the frustrations on running a business on a island of convicts.
The first run-through for any production can be the source of great excitement and anxiety for anyone, but given our abbreviated schedule those feelings grew exponentially! I can hardly believe we are into running the show ONE WEEK after beginning the process, but here we are!
In...
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My Three Angels: Design and Rehearsals
Rehearsals The world’s shortest rehearsal period continues with good success so far. The show is (thankfully) blocked and, for the most part, worked over pretty thoroughly. Yesterday marked ONE week of rehearsals. Yep. One single week. I can hardly believe that we have moved so fast, but there isn’t much of a choice. Like it or not, Opening Night is December 2 and so we move steadily...
5 tags
My Three Angels: Historical Background and Design
One of the added bonuses to directing a play is the opportunity to learn things that I may never have otherwise run into. While a deep knowledge of the history of early 20th century French Guiana isn’t necessary to enjoy My Three Angels, a little background information is helpful in grasping some of the power dynamics and references.
Set in Cayenne, French Guiana in 1910, the action of...
6 tags
My Three Angels: Concept
I’m happily back in St. Louis, a wonderful city I have come to love over my past two visits. Amazing food, wonderful people, a vibrant arts scene, the endlessly explorable Forest Park, plenty to do … what’s not to like?
This time around I will be directing a production of My Three Angels, a quirky holiday-themed comedy, for the St. Louis Actors’ Studio. I will make...
