A few weeks ago, we opened our final production of the season “Strong Poison.” Here are some photos from the final dress rehearsal:
And since we’re also in the final week of classes now heading toward exam week, here are the projects students in the scenic painting independent study seminar are working on:
It’s been a busy couple of weeks, as we finished construction on “Strong Poison” and moved into technical rehearsal. First, a few construction photos:
Two students spackling and sanding one of the bookcases:
A member of the prop team applying some tender love and care to one of the chairs:
A bunch of the shelving waiting to be painted:
The set itself, half painted and awaiting those book shelves to be installed:
The view from behind the tech table as we wait to get rolling at first tech the other night:
And finally, student SM Sami calling the show during tech:
Not only is construction of “Strong Poison” in full swing, light hang started on Friday!
Here’s student LD Alex, student ME Nick, (I’m not sure, but Abby might be an AME. . . forgive me if I’m not giving her proper credit) and two other students reviewing the plot:
Prepping units:
And teams finishing up the over stage part of the plot:
There’s also painting going on, which has been one of my projects:
Though here’s student Ryan working on some of the window frames, as well:
In the shop, all sorts of stuff is going on! Here TA Lilliana supervises pulling lumber for trim:
And here’s lumber being ripped down for the trim:
TA Megan seems very happy to explain a drawing to Katie (off-camera):
But is all business when explaining the table saw to two students who haven’t used it before:
Finally, tech director Ruth helps get the router set up for the creation of the trim:
Spring Break begins at the end of the day today, but the shop is still working on the set for “Strong Poison.”
Here’s a photo of students working on the platforming:
In the shop, tech assistant Katie explains how to use the jigsaw:
Two of the Intro to Tech students consider the layout of. . . something:
And a shot of the platforming from the booth:
Earlier in the week, here’s the prop team painting the divination board:
And Michelle working on her scenic painting project — a section of stone:
After “Street Scene,” the department went straight into “Dancescapes ’18” which had already opened and closes tomorrow night. Last week, I spent time in Milwaukee working with Theatre Gigante on their production of “Tarzan,” written by a Slovakian playwright they met on a recent trip. It opened on Friday and will play for two weekends at UW-Milwaukee’s Kenilworth space. Here are a few pics from the dress rehearsals.
Tarzan calls to his family from the tree:
Tarzan and Jane in their hut at the edge of the Savannah:
Tarzan confronts Mike the Hyena in the middle of the night:
Then, of course, construction has begun on the department’s final show of the season, “Strong Poison,” an adaptation of the Dorothy Sayers mystery novel of the same name. Lots of platforms, so today is about legging things up.
We’re doing an independent study seminar on scenic painting this semester, and the three students have finished their first major project — “Lining a Lichtenstein.” This project is intended to exercise transferring and enlarging an image, color matching, observing detail, and working on lining with a lining stick. Here are Alex, Michelle, and Emily proudly presenting their finished work!
We opened “Street Scene” on Sunday. The past few weeks were very busy, and I did not manage to take much in the way of process photos. However, below are pictures from the final dress rehearsal on Friday. Of note are the student stage manager, student sound designer, student supertitle designer, and the fact that I had a student ALD helping me on the lighting (I did both scenery and lighting design on this one). It was directed by Kymberly Mellen, who is new to our department this year. Cast-wise, it’s the largest number of performers on the stage since I’ve been here at Whitewater, and a two story set added to the technical complexity. We made it to the finish line, though.
The top of the show, and how hot it is:
Mrs. Maurrant sings of her loniliness and how trapped she feels:
Mr. Easter tries to tempt Rose with Broadway:
“It’s a murder!”
Rose confronts her father after his capture:
And the cycle continues — how hot it is. . .
Over the winter break, the technical director and I had talks about the drawings and budgets, after which I went back to the director, who also had some further thoughts, and we’ve modified the set to reflect the conclusions.
We got rid of a set of windows, decided the Hildebrandts and the Buchanans won’t get their own windows (the Hildebrandts are on the fourth floor, after all!). This moved things off center. We also cut one of the lampposts, which is not shown in this image.
Classes started yesterday, the shops are open, and away we go!
Well, we opened yesterday! Here are some photos from final dress.
First, one of the set for “Laundry and Bourbon” under worklights:
And then the run proper:
Then we switch over to “Lone Star:”
On to “Street Scene!”
The week before Thanksgiving, we hosted the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival. Here’s a bunch of the traffic signage sitting the shop, waiting to be placed around campus:
So, between the Festival and the holiday, we are fairly behind on our work for “1959 Pink Thunderbird”. We forge ahead!
