The Making of... #1
Posted by Catherine Dudley
OK, Richmond-
--- These are some of the MANY props that will be used for Peter Pan. The note reads: "Abandon ALL Hope Ye Who Enter Here. There will be a holocaust of technicians." Now, who after that, doesn't want to play? (The skull- Yorick. Anyone???)
OK, Richmond-
We have come to learn that many people in the community are not aware of the fact that we here, at Theatre IV and Barksdale Theatre, build our own sets and costumes, pull our own props, and design our own lights and sound for each and every show that we produce. There is the crazy notion floating around out there that we "bring stuff in." (Is there a "theatre-sets.com" out there that custom orders?)
What does this mean? It means that we have decided to track the progress of Theatre IV's latest endeavor, Peter Pan, for the blog world. So, come along with me as I show you brief glances into "The making of..." Every few days I will snapshot some of the hard work being put in by our phenomenal production and costume departments. They are the un-sung heros of this company. Let's start to sing about them, shall we?
So, sit back and marvel at the process!
This is a wide shot of what is 
taking place on the Empire stage. (Hans, Wendy and Matt working diligently.) I will recreate this same photo every time and it will give a unique glance at the process as it unfolds. ---
taking place on the Empire stage. (Hans, Wendy and Matt working diligently.) I will recreate this same photo every time and it will give a unique glance at the process as it unfolds. ---
---This photo shows some of the set pieces pulled from our previous productions of Peter Pan. They are waiting so patiently for their opportunity to shine, aren't they? A new nail or two here, a little dab of paint there...
Matt, Hans and Wendy work on a piece (one can only assume) of Neverland rock! ---
--- These are some of the MANY props that will be used for Peter Pan. The note reads: "Abandon ALL Hope Ye Who Enter Here. There will be a holocaust of technicians." Now, who after that, doesn't want to play? (The skull- Yorick. Anyone???)
Eddie does a brilliant Captain Hook impression. ---
That's a good, solid teaser for you.
So, come back in a few days and check out where we go from here!
See you then.
Labels: Making of..., Peter Pan, production, Theatre IV
posted by catherine at
1:09 PM
7 Comments:
Hmmm...that first photo of Hans, Wendy, and Matt makes me wonder anew: why is it that "diligently working" + Master Electrician = sitting down? Just kidding - Matt is a fantastic M.E. and lighting designer!
Catherine, thanks for starting this series, it's high time the Production & Costume departments got public praise & better visibility. They should have headshots in the lobby and bios in the playbills, - of course I'm completely biased!
It really is sad that most of Richmond is completely unaware of phenomenal talent behind the scenes...both present & past. Come on world, how do you think "the magic" happens?
Finally, and I say this with tongue firmly planted in my cheek (after all, I am married to an actor masquerading as a techie!), there's an "old" saying that goes something like this: An actor without techies is a naked person standing in the dark on a barren stage trying to emote.
P.S. Before anyone pounces on me for that comment- if you don't know me, you should know I count some of Richmond's best and most respected actors as my friends, and I stand in awe of their talent.
i am completely with you michael! it's a shame that the production folks don't get recognized enough! they bust their tails and make the actors look good!
(now granted you and i are a little biased- your wife, my dear friend, all rolled up into one glorious "techie!")
alas, this should be a fun process to track! glad to see at least you are along for the ride!
I do believe that note was written by another ATD several years ago after packing the trailer for the first time.
The talent in the tech department at Theatre IV/Barksdale is amazing, and always has been.
Ans, Sparky, speaking as a former Master Elec. at Theatre IV, mst likely he is supervising, those carpenters will screw anything up without proper supervision. :)
This is great, I can watch the progress get re-acquainted with the set, and I can do it from 13 hours away in my office, Thanks Catherine!
Steve
Thanks for doing this. Just a reminder that this same crew also built the "pieces pulled from our previous productions of Peter Pan" and had the foresight to meticulously save some of the set from the last time Theatre IV did 'Pan. These same folk just put nine sets, props, costumes and sound systems together for the nine tour shows out on the road all over the country. Oh yea, they also built "Doubt..." and will build "Guys and Dolls." And put together many elements of the fairy tale ball. And MOVING. We should all bow to them.
Eric Williams
Speaking of "Doubt", which I loved, did your "techies" make those real rocks walls? if so, amazing!
The techie most responsible for those rock walls is another actor masquerading as a techie, Who can be seen striking his best Captain Hook Pose in the Post. As for the note, well were 1/3 of the way putting it back together and so far we are all still around so far....
I am pretty sure they make those walls. You can tell they were built there. Amazing!
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