The Stage is a Blank Canvas

The first time I stepped on a stage was when I was a freshman in college. I mean, a REAL stage.  The other stages (like church platforms) were equally important to me. I loved every  thrilling, exciting and heart-racing wonderful one of them.

Then I stepped on an official, curtain closing, lights pointed at me, look at all those ropes, stage and I was terrified. My journey for confidence was a long one and as much as I wanted to be a dramatic productions major my advisor didn’t have to try very hard to convince me it wasn’t the place for a woman. Little did he know that my heart’s desire was so strong that eventually I would learn the things that I needed to learn on my own so that my life’s purpose would still be on a stage, in front of it, behind it…well, you get it.

In all honesty, if I knew the things I would have had to do as a theater productions major I might have quit anyway. I’ll never forget seeing the first design my daughter, Becca, drew. She told me the critiques she received, but I honestly don’t think I heard any of them because I was thinking how I would  have failed at that class. Who knew you needed to be able to draw? I only wanted to direct!

I an so thankful for the team I had around me when I began to direct. I stumbled through finding a vision and communicating the direction I would like to go for the set, costumes and technical aspects. In fact, in the beginning there were many times I would have to design some of those things myself.

Somehow, I continued to learn and somehow we survived.

I am so fortunate that God has now called a team of wonderful people to Overshadowed that share the vision, but also have the talent to fulfill beautiful designs that are far better that anything I could have ever dreamed up.

I asked Yohannan Lee and Steve Keller if they would share some of their thoughts about the process of designing the set for our current production of Noah!

For me, the process of creating all the aspects of a production is about the power of the team. As they tell you in sports, “You are only as strong as your weakest link.” That resonates with me in theater. As the team designs each area it challenges the other areas to excel as well. The actors respond when the set and costumes add to their characters they have created and together all create a powerful presentation for the audiences to enjoy. For the teams at Overshadowed we all agree it is about telling God’s story. Period. Not about us.

I don’t think I ever knew I was going to be an artist. Perhaps I have stretched the definition a little:

artist-A person who practices any of the various creative arts, such as sculptor, novelist, poet, or filmmaker.

My definition: director- a person who starts with a blank stage and creates a work of art from the elements of stage, lights, costumes, sounds and character.

I am so fortunate to have such a talented group of people who inspire me and give of their talents so brilliantly.

Noah! will run until March 20. We have new dates that will be added on Feb. 1st. If you haven’t seen it, I hope you will join us. http://www.overshadowed.org

I’d love to hear what you have to say about directing or being directed? What do you think about the story of Noah? As always, please share this blog or like it and comment! It really does help!

Until next time–this is just me-talking to you-from the wings!