Category: productions crew

acting, artistic vision, auditions, backstage, Blog, broadway, christian theater, directing, entertainment, Fear, productions crew, theater, theater education, theater professions

Singing in the Rain: the Auditions

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Yesterday was the day people either love or fear or despise.

I’m not talking about just the potential cast.

No….the directors feel a few of those emotions as well.

Let’s start with me. I pick the musical–in this case Singing in the Rain— I start researching. I spend time with the vision and the main plot of the story. I look for inspiration from other productions and photos and images from the time period. I study why the film was so popular and why live productions sometimes don’t have the same appeal. Could it really be just one iconic song and the fact that it rains on stage? I think not!

Once the initial process and studying begins, I begin to think about what my ideal cast would look like? How many females in the ensemble? How many men? The ages of the leads? What is more important: dance ability? vocal? acting? What happens if I don’t get a triple threat? What can I–and now it’s more than just me (music director + choreographer)–what are we willing to sacrifice?? Believe me, that brings a little excitement, love, fear….and maybe disappointment.

As I enter the room, I WANT everyone to be amazing. I WANT them to give the best audition of their lives. I WANT them to be happy with the part they fit the best and not walk out heartbroken.

Truth be told–that almost NEVER happens because most people want the leads and there are usually only two of those.

But to put together a BRILLIANT show we NEED dancers, singers and many actors to play smaller parts. A production is a TEAM effort period and unless you are doing a one-person show-we need the team.

Now- the other side of the coin is this:

Some people realize that auditioning is great practice. They love the thrill of getting one step closer to their dream part. They thrive on perfecting the two minutes they get to “sell” why they should get the part. And usually those people are really good at it.

Others live in fear. They are afraid they didn’t work hard enough. They are afraid they aren’t good enough. They are afraid of failing. They are afraid to sing or dance by themselves. They are afraid they won’t get the part they want. Some don’t even try it the fear is too overwhelming.

Other despise the day. Why? They think there are politics involved. They let their imaginations run wild with what they think reality is–instead of what it actually is.

So–here’s my advice. You won’t ever get the part if you don’t try. Believe me, we WANT you to do great. Let yourself go. Come in super prepared and leave it all out there as if you will never get a chance to perform again. Then-if you don’t get the part you want….please consider still taking a role. Perhaps you still need to grow some as a performer to get the dream role. Maybe you just didn’t fit the image the director wanted. Maybe you were too tall or short or something else that is beyond your control.

Maybe…by not taking the role you were offered….you are missing one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this!

Check out the video below for more of my thoughts on Singing in the Rain. And please–please follow me on YouTube and this blog!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw9V2dUmOTA&feature=youtu.be


Until next time, this is just me, talking to you from the wings.

acting, audience, backstage, christian theater, communication, directing, Fear, history, productions crew, technical production, theater, theater education

More Than the Words on the Page

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Opening night is four days away!

Thank you, God! Wow! What a battle it has been this summer! Battle for time. Battle for actors to fill the roles. Battle for production staff and team…well, the list could go on.

But here we are. Four days away.

I’m thinking about time a lot lately. Maybe because Sunday was the 21st anniversary of September 11th and the horrific events of that day only took 103 minutes.

103 minutes.

In telling this story we need to pull from news reports, books that have been written, emotions that we all felt, and then tie it together in a way that the audience can be rocked to their core.

We do that by adding the costumes, hair and make-up, set and finally the tech. Tonight will be the first time we experience this show with the full tech and I am beyond excited.

This show wouldn’t be the same without it and honestly, it might be the fourth character in the show…it’s that necessary.

Watch below to hear our technical director give his thoughts on the vision of this show.

#neverforget

Thank you, Rebecca Leland and Mike Larsen, for all you do!

If you like content like this–please make sure you follow us! It really does matter!

Until next time,

This is just me, talking to you, from the wings–

acting, artistic vision, audience, audition, auditions, backstage, broadway, christian theater, communication, productions crew, speech, stage, theater, theater education, theater professions

How is Your Audition Process Different From Professionals or Is It?

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We filmed this almost a month ago, but when I watched this last night I was struck with how appropriate it was for my week.

Those of you who follow me on instagram (rebahervas.direct.plan.read) know that the audition process grieves me. Yes, it acutally makes me sick. It isn’t just a process for me. I feel the emotions of those of you who audition. I cheer for you, I want you to fit the part and I want to choose you. Sadly, there can be only one Belle or Gaston or whatever part you are going for. So, someone will be crushed. It’s like I hold your hopes and dreams in my hand and just like the evil queen did on Once Upon a Time (If you haven’t seen that show you simply must watch it!) I ripped my hand into your chest, pulled out your beating heart and crushed it until you stopped breathing. Too dramatic? In some cases…no.

I know that no amount of words can make it better. Thank you for auditioning. Thank you for wanting to be a part of theater.

So, can I help at all???

Maybe.

Watch this video that is part two from an interview with Darren Lawson, Dean of the School of FIne Arts and Communication at Bob Jones University. (For part One click here: https://wp.me/p9JkzU-Tc It was a joy to hear what he thinks as he goes through the audition process for their professional productions.

Thank you again, Rebecca Leland, Darren Lawson, David Lurtey and Kathryn Gamet. The time with you all was a blessing beyond words!

If you enjoy these moments From the Wings I hope you will follow me and share this site!

Until next time!

Reba

acting, artistic vision, backstage, communication, entertainment, family, productions crew, theater, theater education, theater professions

One Way You Can Be A Better Actor

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I’ll never forget my first live theater experience.

My aunt took me to see Showboat at the local high school. As I sat in the audience I was completely drawn in by the sounds of the orchestra tuning. I felt the excitement of the parents and friends as they were ushered to their seats and I was entirely a part of the story as the dancers, actors, and singers performed.

There was more that I didn’t see. I didn’t see the people who designed and constructed the set , costumes, light, sound. I didn’t see the people who moved the set and props to make sure each scene was staged perfectly.

That’s true of so many of us. Do you believe you have to choose between either being on the stage or behind the scenes?

I’d like to encourage you to do both. What can you learn by working in some other capacity of the theater?

1) You get to watch as the actors work. You can learn from the experience others are gaining. Also experiencing the show from off stage sometimes gives clarifying moments of the element of storytelling that you might miss when you are focused on your own acting on stage.

2) You learn about all the jobs and responsibilities of the production crew. Work on the sound or light crew and you will understand why it is important to take mic checks seriously. Or work a long tech rehearsal and you will see why it is so important to be quiet when asked or be serious to get the job done.

3) You learn to respect others. You learn why it is important not to touch other props or to put yours back where it belongs. You learn that it is important to respect the people who do so much for you backstage. Maybe it will remind you to say thank you to each of them.

4) You will make new connections. Collaboration is one of my favorite aspects of theater. Making new connections is a benefit.

5) You might learn new skills. Not everyone comes into theater knowing how to sew or work tech, but be involved with these super talented people might give you the chance to learn and who knows maybe you will end up using that new skill in your life. Your focus might be acting, but there is creativity to learn from everywhere.

6) You get to see the show from a different perspective. When you see the show night after night you hear when people say a line a different way. I actually have people that don’t get certain jokes at first, but after hearing something over and over they begin to understand the humor! You see how the other elements (such as lighting) either aids the story or distracts from it.

Recently, I asked several of Overshadowed’s favorite actors/volunteers to share their experiences from a backstage perspective.

Many thanks to Casey Bender, Al Gorr and Michael Larsen for joining our panel!



If you haven’t spent any time working in an area behind the scenes I hope you will find a place to help out. Here are just a few of the skills I think you will gain:

1) Concentration
2) Organizational skills
3) Confidence
4) Problem solving

The benefit? All of those skills help you ON-STAGE as well.

What are your favorite parts of theater? I’d love to hear from you!

As always, a special shout out to Brianna Valentine, Rebecca Leland and Yohannan Lee for their wisdom, talent and time spent to make this video!

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