Alycia Marucci, a frog?

Hello again everyone!

Another week down, and I am happy to report that we have made great progress since I last posted. This week has been subject to run-thru's and long work lists of very specific moments. Its working out very well though, the scene between Sayoko and Junpei in college changed a lot this week, and now the moments in that scene are clearer than ever.

I got to play Frog this week! Well, sort of. Mike was not in rehearsal on Monday, so we worked around most of the Frog and Narrator moments, but we had to work a couple of transitions with music, so it was necessary to know the specific timing of the onstage frog to narrator quick change, which means of course that I was asked to put on an overly large mens green jacket, white gloves and the narrator hat. It was pretty hilarious I think, the jacket pretty much swallowed me. I also always feel badly when I have to stand in during scenes, because usually all of the actors are forced to adjust to the fact that I am much shorter than their usual scene partner. If I could I would remedy the situation by wearing super awesome platform shoes, or boots or something, but alas, I am not equipped with such luxuries.

We have the weekend off of rehearsal for the fourth of July, so we will be 4 days away from the show after Wednesday night's run-thru. Usually something falls apart when you take that many days off from a show, so we will see what happens. I am hoping though, that enough has solidified in the last couple of days, and we worked moments specifically enough so that everyone will be able to fall back into it when we come back from the break...and before we know it we will be in tech! I love tech, its my favorite part of the rehearsal process because it moves both the fastest and slowest of all the rehearsals throughout the whole production process. More to come next week!

Alycia

Russ likes Japanese food...

The show is getting closer!! That means a lot of running around for me. In the last few weeks I’ve made some follow up e-mails and phone calls to businesses and clubs in the Boston area that expressed interest in either coming to the show, or buying advertising. Most restaurants that I called were really fun to contact for a couple reasons. First, the people even if they couldn’t make a commitment on the phone seemed genuinely interested in the show. Secondly, I came to realize just how many family- owned Japanese restaurants there are in Boston. Sometimes there was a bit of a language barrier and it was cool to be able to get our message out there despite temporary obstacles! It makes you realize how many small, family-owned companies make an imprint in our city. Third, it reminded me of just how much I love Japanese food.

This week however I start postering and leaving postcards at businesses all around Boston. That way, when someone is waiting to get their hair cut wondering what to do on July 17 there is a poster/postcard right there. This is also great because the owners of the establishments ask about the show, any of their customers also ask, and the word is spread!

So hopefully by Wednesday there will be a green poster with a frog on it saying AFTER THE QUAKE everywhere you go.

-Russ

Paige Warren: Holding Down the Fort

So while Miranda is away on a vacation this week, she left me with a couple assignments to work on. I'm currently in the middle of working on Sala's (Sydney's character's) pajamas and trying to think of more ways to make the illusive 'bra trick' work as well as researching different potential narrator hats.

Last week she asked me to look up "too cool for school" hairdos for Sala which was great! I'm a huge fan of Harajuku fashions (particularly Decora and EGL) so I realized a lot of those styles, which are based on little girl hairstyles, would work really well on Sala. I happen to have the Fruits and Fresh Fruits books which I went through, marking the styles that would work for Sydney, and passed the research off to Miranda.

This process has already been really rewarding and I'm eager to get back to work on the pj's. I am a little anxious since I'll be speaking in Miranda's place for her at this Sunday's production meeting but I know I don't have too much to be worried about since everyone's always been really nice and welcoming at the meetings. Next week we're really gonna dive right into building, shopping for, and painting more of the pieces as we get closer to tech week.

*Paige*

Nick Tosches: The Technical Side

Hello once again everyone out in internet land. A lot has happened since my last blog and since there is no sense in beating around the bush with pleasantries, so I shall get right down to business.

We started set build this week and things have been going awesomely. Mark asked me what project I would like to take on with the set, and after some thought I decided to work on the archway (it’s going to be a floating Japanese style pagoda roof/arch thing). I chose this project because I wanted to learn how to rig and hang something large that isn’t just a flat piece of scenery. So most of the job will be done during load in, but I succeeded in finishing building the frame work and 3 sides of the facing in only two days. Besides the set building, Mark has been teaching me the nuances of being a tech director from scheduling to what pieces of scenery are a priority and such. He has taken the time to discuss how to deal with designers and directors and how you can make their vision come true while doing your other duties, and this week’s lesson was that something should not fail simply from a lack of trying. Even though your first instinct may be to say no because what is designed or asked for seems impossible, impractical, or over budget, there is almost always a way to execute it.

So next week is looking to be just as fun and tiring as this week was, as we finish the set build and begin our load in. I am also looking forward to the designer run this weekend and hopefully we’ll be able to keep up this awesome pace that we have set for ourselves. See you all later around the blogosphere!

-Nick

ATQ: Jess Strikes Again...

Hello again from your friendly PA. After the Quake is going swimmingly (I like adjectives). But honestly, as each week passes the show gets better and better. Now with the rough blocking done, the actors are starting to really delve into their characters and why they do the things they do. It’s part of what I personally love about theater, watching a play grow and transform from the first read-through to opening night. You see ‘characters’ become people and a whole be created in front of you. It’s really something and this cast is really growing with their characters.

The set is now being started as well and I’m excited to see this world literally come into being. I have a soft spot for scenic design, specifically painting, and I can’t wait to finish the building and get to work on painting it. I think the model and designs fit the concepts for this show so well, that I really just want it to be opening night so everything falls into place. I won’t give too many details; I couldn’t do it justice, so you’ll just have to come see it for yourself (:. But I just love that everything is starting to take shape. We’ve been talking about this deadline of sorts, opening night being in the middle of july, but as it gets closer and closer everything sort of starts coming together. It’s exciting and I’m so happy to be a part of it.

I really am ready to get into House Manager mode. The stage management crew and I have all been joking, we all wear glasses, but when I trade my PA hat for my house manager hat I’ll start donning my contacts. Just a little anecdote to make you chuckle. Speaking of stage management, I told Alycia I’d mention her fantastic drawings that are decorating my folder. My particular favorite is the wood that says “Hey. We’re Norwegian.” But thanks to this show Norwegian Wood is slowly climbing its way up my list of favorite Beatles songs. The music is really bringing this show together. The cast was doing such a good job, but me saying music when the script calls for it just isn’t the same as hearing the violin and bass clarinet come in with their haunting melodies. It was like the missing piece to the puzzle and it fits so organically that it’s no wonder why the script calls for so many specific music cues. I’m really just excited to see it all finished and come together.

Happy Theatering!
Jessica

P.S. If you haven’t checked out the video trailer, you should. It’s pretty baller: http://www.companyone.org/theatre_show_2008_quake/photos_videos.shtml

Grace Geller: Take Two

What’s scary about boiling Brussels sprouts? I have no idea, but there’s something creepy when Frog compares inflicting ‘physiological terror’ on Big Bear Trading to boiling Brussels sprouts. This is one of my many favorite moments in “After the Quake.” Murakami is a beautiful author. His words paint an elegant story that has been masterfully translated into a play by Frank Galati.

Despite the shudders Brussels sprouts now give me, “After the Quake” is not about terror. As we’ve been working through the production process there have been many discussions about the element of ‘fear’ in the play. The play hinges on nightmares surrounding the 1995 Kobe earthquake. But, as the title states, it is a play about what happens ‘after the quake.’ It is a play about how people deal with fear – from widespread death and destruction to personal insecurities. The play depicts universal problems and showcases the best of people. There is hope for every character, from the lonely honey bear Masakichi to the central character Junpei. There is hope that everyone can face their fears.

We have a little under a month left and we’ve already started doing runs of the show. Last week we incorporated the musicians into some scenes. Music is a HUGE element to “After the Quake.” The musicians will constantly be on stage and act almost like another character, helping to drive the show. Music is also vital to help the audience understand the progression of the play, as it switches between time, place, and character rapidly. Although I knew all this from reading the play (and seeing all the music cues), it was a shock to hear the musicians actually there working with us in rehearsals. I had grown accustomed to all those awkward moments. But now, music really brings the show together; it fills in pauses and creates charming moments.

Working on the show so far has been a truly rewarding experience. I am able to talk with Shawn (the director) and Liana (the dramaturg) during each rehearsal and then watch my comments effect the scene. I’ve also been working individually with some of the actors before each rehearsal, helping them with character work and their objectives for long monologues. I feel like I’m really a part of the rehearsal process.

I’m off now to start “Norwegian Wood,” one of Murakami’s novels. You should watch the video trailer and get your tickets for this amazing play.

I’ll write again soon!

* Grace

Russ is busy!

Hello Again!

The last couple of weeks have really gotten the ball rolling. E-mails and phone calls have gone out to more businesses and clubs than I can count. Each message is spreading the word about After the Quake. I have gotten feedback from many of the companies that I have called and they sound genuinely interested in our upcoming show.

Giving out postcards continues as always, and posters will be going up around town this week. The posters look fantastic!

I am going in on Tuesday to map out an effective postering strategy, and to make more calls.

Short but sweet, as things get underway.

Also remember… the best way to spread the word about After the Quake is by word of mouth. So if you can think of anyone or any groups that would be interested, let them (and me) know! We want all of Boston talking about the show!

-Russ