Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Narnia Production Blog

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lparks
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Topic: Narnia Production Blog
Posted: 11/14/10 at 6:30pm

I have decided to try something a little different - and start to create a "Directors Blog"

for Bloomington Rep's production of Narnia, which I am currently Directing. I thought it

might be neat to give everyone an insight into the life of a production such as Narnia. I

will post an updated blog after each rehearsal, and try to get some video and photo's as well.

Please stay posted and maybe even subscribe to this thread if you would like to keep

updated on how the production is progressing.

Edited by lparks - 11/14/10 at 6:30pm

Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

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lparks
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Posted: 11/14/10 at 6:31pm

UPDATE: 11/09 Rehearsal

We successfully completed the read-through and sing along. So far, we have some amazing voices for a student production. I am surprised at how spot-on myself and Ryan O'Connell (music director) where in casting this show. Cannot wait till next rehearsal, when we actively start work individually with the cast on the songs.

I start my blocking next week, and I am definitely looking forward to working closer with the cast. Ryan and I have decided to try a different rehearsal method - to have several music rehearsals right up front and then immediately block those scenes after a short music review each day. We are hoping this will speed along the rehearsal process - seeing as we have a shorter-than-I-would-like schedule of 20 days.

So far, my FIRST gig directing a musical is going great! I must admit that I like being actively involved in the productions much more than I do Play writing, which had previously been most of my theatre experience. In financial news, ticket sales have really picked up and several performances are already near sold-out. If your going to be in Bloomington, IN from Dec 31 – Jan 9, don't miss it! www.brtlive.org.

Stay tuned for the next update on 11/11.

Narnia cast awaits the beginning of the first rehearsal.

Read-through with some of the cast members.

Edited by lparks - 11/14/10 at 7:17pm

Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

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lparks
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Posted: 11/14/10 at 6:34pm

UPDATE: 11/11 Rehearsal

Well, another successful rehearsal down. Today we spent about 3.5 hours working individually with cast members on their songs. Voices are again sounding great and I am starting to see more confidence in the cast on their projection. So far my job has been pretty idle (mainly, to sit back and watch Ryan at work with the cast while taking some notes). We have had a few issues with the cast disregarding the rules (leaving the room without signing

out, talking, two of my Beavers even came in Costume which I was not too impressed with) but other than a few issues, things have gone smoothly.

I am hoping the next 6 weeks go as easy as the first two days - and I really believe we can pull off Bloomington Rep's first production successfully.

Check-out some video clips from rehearsals by visiting BRT's Youtube pagee at: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBloomingtonRep

Matt (Edmund), Hadley (Dwarf) and Alex Goodman (White Witch) with Ryan O'Connell (music director)

Christina Adams (Choreographer) with Isadore James Torry (Stage Manager).

Edited by lparks - 11/14/10 at 7:21pm

Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

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Theatermama
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Posted: 11/14/10 at 8:09pm

What's wrong with coming in costume? - Even if it is not the costume they are ultimately going to wear - it might help them get in character - I often wear a costume and use all my props (that I supply) when I rehearse - it helps me get it in muscle memory and feel the part. I have had many adult actors that do this too that are acting majors, I think it shows wonderful committment to the role.

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lparks
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Posted: 11/14/10 at 8:22pm

Not that big if a deal, just something I noted. Personal preference I guess. I felt it was somewhat distracting - but maybe that was just me?

Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

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lparks
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Posted: 11/18/10 at 7:47am

UPDATE: 11/16 and 11/17 Rehearsal
I am going to combine both of these dates into one update. 11/16 we reviewed music for "Doors and Windows" and the ending scene with the reprise of "You can't imagine" and "From the Inside out". I successfully blocked all three scenes as well - and it was all accomplished in under 3 hours.

Still some tweaking to do on the blocking though...

11/17 - We spent a little to much time blocking "All of these" which caused the cast to go nearly 45 minutes past their release time. This is what happens when our stage manager takes the day off :-). In any case, we got 2 of the 3 scenes music and blocked, which where "Turkish Delight" and "All of These".

You can check out a video run-through of the scene Turkish Delight here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts9lQZ3bsTY

You can check out a video run-through of the scene All of These here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVDdaKNCgxk

PICTURES FROM 11/16-11/17:

Cast members Devin, Hadley and Alex get blocking notes from Landon for the scene "Turkish Delight".

Landon Parks (me, gray shirt) Gives blocking direction to the cast.

Landon Parks (me, gray shirt) giving more blocking direction to the cast. Isadore James Torry (Stage Manager) and Christina Adams (Choreographer) take notes and watch from the creative table.

John Bristow (Asst. Director/Peter White shirt-center) gives some notes about a scene to Quinn.

Maria Sarah (Lucy), Kennedy Lake (Susan), John Bristow (Asst. Director/Peter), Courtney Mitzel (Mr. Beaver) and Kate-Lyn Edwards (Mrs Beaver) rehearse the blocking of the scene "All of these" with Landon Parks (Director).

Edited by lparks - 11/18/10 at 7:49am

Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

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lparks
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Posted: 12/12/10 at 5:00pm

Sorry for not keeping an active update. Most of the rehearsals so far have been much of the same. However, today we had the first cast-orchestra sing-through at the Jacobs School of Music. The show is REALLY starting to come together and sounds amazing.

We open in 2 1/2 weeks to begin a 2-week, 10 performance run. Tickets are selling like hotcakes for this show -- better than I could have imagined for a non-Broadway musical.

The Narnia orchestra (6 piece) with Ryan O'Connell (music director/conductor) conducting.

Another view of the orchestra and cast.

Narnia Cast singing with the orchestra.

Edited by lparks - 12/12/10 at 5:01pm

Landon Parks,
Producing Artistic Director,
Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

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Author	Message
lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Topic: Narnia Production Blog Posted: 11/14/10 at 6:30pm
	I have decided to try something a little different - and start to create a "Directors Blog" for Bloomington Rep's production of Narnia, which I am currently Directing. I thought it might be neat to give everyone an insight into the life of a production such as Narnia. I will post an updated blog after each rehearsal, and try to get some video and photo's as well. Please stay posted and maybe even subscribe to this thread if you would like to keep updated on how the production is progressing. Edited by lparks - 11/14/10 at 6:30pm
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co

	IP Logged

lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 11/14/10 at 6:31pm
	UPDATE: 11/09 Rehearsal We successfully completed the read-through and sing along. So far, we have some amazing voices for a student production. I am surprised at how spot-on myself and Ryan O'Connell (music director) where in casting this show. Cannot wait till next rehearsal, when we actively start work individually with the cast on the songs. I start my blocking next week, and I am definitely looking forward to working closer with the cast. Ryan and I have decided to try a different rehearsal method - to have several music rehearsals right up front and then immediately block those scenes after a short music review each day. We are hoping this will speed along the rehearsal process - seeing as we have a shorter-than-I-would-like schedule of 20 days. So far, my FIRST gig directing a musical is going great! I must admit that I like being actively involved in the productions much more than I do Play writing, which had previously been most of my theatre experience. In financial news, ticket sales have really picked up and several performances are already near sold-out. If your going to be in Bloomington, IN from Dec 31 – Jan 9, don't miss it! www.brtlive.org. Stay tuned for the next update on 11/11. Narnia cast awaits the beginning of the first rehearsal. Read-through with some of the cast members. Edited by lparks - 11/14/10 at 7:17pm
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co
	IP Logged

lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 11/14/10 at 6:34pm
	UPDATE: 11/11 Rehearsal Well, another successful rehearsal down. Today we spent about 3.5 hours working individually with cast members on their songs. Voices are again sounding great and I am starting to see more confidence in the cast on their projection. So far my job has been pretty idle (mainly, to sit back and watch Ryan at work with the cast while taking some notes). We have had a few issues with the cast disregarding the rules (leaving the room without signing out, talking, two of my Beavers even came in Costume which I was not too impressed with) but other than a few issues, things have gone smoothly. I am hoping the next 6 weeks go as easy as the first two days - and I really believe we can pull off Bloomington Rep's first production successfully. Check-out some video clips from rehearsals by visiting BRT's Youtube pagee at: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBloomingtonRep Matt (Edmund), Hadley (Dwarf) and Alex Goodman (White Witch) with Ryan O'Connell (music director) Christina Adams (Choreographer) with Isadore James Torry (Stage Manager). Edited by lparks - 11/14/10 at 7:21pm
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co
	IP Logged

Theatermama Star Joined: 7/23/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 11/14/10 at 8:09pm
	What's wrong with coming in costume? - Even if it is not the costume they are ultimately going to wear - it might help them get in character - I often wear a costume and use all my props (that I supply) when I rehearse - it helps me get it in muscle memory and feel the part. I have had many adult actors that do this too that are acting majors, I think it shows wonderful committment to the role.
	IP Logged

lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 11/14/10 at 8:22pm
	Not that big if a deal, just something I noted. Personal preference I guess. I felt it was somewhat distracting - but maybe that was just me?
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co
	IP Logged

lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 11/18/10 at 7:47am
	UPDATE: 11/16 and 11/17 Rehearsal I am going to combine both of these dates into one update. 11/16 we reviewed music for "Doors and Windows" and the ending scene with the reprise of "You can't imagine" and "From the Inside out". I successfully blocked all three scenes as well - and it was all accomplished in under 3 hours. Still some tweaking to do on the blocking though... 11/17 - We spent a little to much time blocking "All of these" which caused the cast to go nearly 45 minutes past their release time. This is what happens when our stage manager takes the day off :-). In any case, we got 2 of the 3 scenes music and blocked, which where "Turkish Delight" and "All of These". You can check out a video run-through of the scene Turkish Delight here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts9lQZ3bsTY You can check out a video run-through of the scene All of These here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVDdaKNCgxk PICTURES FROM 11/16-11/17: Cast members Devin, Hadley and Alex get blocking notes from Landon for the scene "Turkish Delight". Landon Parks (me, gray shirt) Gives blocking direction to the cast. Landon Parks (me, gray shirt) giving more blocking direction to the cast. Isadore James Torry (Stage Manager) and Christina Adams (Choreographer) take notes and watch from the creative table. John Bristow (Asst. Director/Peter White shirt-center) gives some notes about a scene to Quinn. Maria Sarah (Lucy), Kennedy Lake (Susan), John Bristow (Asst. Director/Peter), Courtney Mitzel (Mr. Beaver) and Kate-Lyn Edwards (Mrs Beaver) rehearse the blocking of the scene "All of these" with Landon Parks (Director). Edited by lparks - 11/18/10 at 7:49am
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co
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lparks Star Joined: 1/12/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 12/12/10 at 5:00pm
	Sorry for not keeping an active update. Most of the rehearsals so far have been much of the same. However, today we had the first cast-orchestra sing-through at the Jacobs School of Music. The show is REALLY starting to come together and sounds amazing. We open in 2 1/2 weeks to begin a 2-week, 10 performance run. Tickets are selling like hotcakes for this show -- better than I could have imagined for a non-Broadway musical. The Narnia orchestra (6 piece) with Ryan O'Connell (music director/conductor) conducting. Another view of the orchestra and cast. Narnia Cast singing with the orchestra. Edited by lparks - 12/12/10 at 5:01pm
	Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co
	IP Logged

Topic: Narnia Production Blog( Topic Closed)