The world premiere of Roxanne Ray’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is in the books. Image credit: Craig Orsinger/Burien Little Theatre
Today we did a run-through of Act II of Frankenstein. In addition to the sound and light cues, there are a number of things that we have been working out with effects and costumes.
We’re only three days from opening night, after three years of dreaming about and developing this project. I’ve shared many of my thoughts from the perspective of a playwright and dramaturg, and as the final…
It’s the beginning of tech week for the BLT production of Frankenstein. Tech week, usually referred to by theatre people as “Hell week”, is the week before opening, when theatres typically work out the technical aspects of the show, like light and sound cues, costumes, and props. Tonight is a kind of rehearsal called “cue to cue”, which means that the actors, director, and technical staff skip from point to point in the play where a technical cue of some sort exists. For just about everyone involved, it’s a time when there is plenty of waiting around, while designers and techs get things right, and actors get used to how things are supposed to work in the production.
So, for everyone who has been reading these director notes, I really wanted to get more out during the course of our rehearsal period. However, as is typical for projects this size, it just took…
This is an article that discusses some technical issues relating to Burien Little Theatre’s light board to an interesting light filter device. Most theatre fans will find this to be of no interest at all.
The issue is addressing the PanCommand Systems, Inc. CF-300 Color Fader to an ETC Express 48/96 light controller board via DMX cable. Those interested in this issue can click on the “continue reading” link below to continue reading.
Last Sunday, I stopped by to help out a bit with set construction for the upcoming Burien Little Theatre production of Frankenstein. As one of many volunteers who help make these things happen, I thought it would be interesting to describe a typical afternoon spent making the stage ready for a show. On the way, you might learn a little about what a theatre stage is, and how people keep it working, and looking like something it’s not.
The first thing to realize, though, is that there are no typical days. Every show has its unique requirements and challenges. Plus, work here long enough, and you’ll have done just about everything at least once.
Image credit: All photos Craig Orsinger/Burien Little Theatre
[click on any image to see it full size]
One thing that I suspect most people don’t know about a theatre stage is that it’s a lot more than just a big, empty space with some curtains around it. BLT’s stage is full of the many things that help make a production possible. There are theatre lights in the ceiling. There’s audio and communications equipment in the wings. There are cables everywhere connecting all those devices. There are ropes and pulleys that lift and move various scenery and curtains. There are nooks and crannies where we store tools, props, costumes, and just about anything else we need to support and run a show.
Image credit: Craig Orsinger/Burien Little Theatre Many people wonder: What makes an actor tick? It was my pleasure to be able to chat recently with the actor playing Elizabeth Lavenza: Anna Richardson. Roxanne: Before Frankenstein,…
9-10-11 has passed and we had a chance to sleep. It is understatement to say 9-10-11 was a good time. Everyone I talked to enjoyed themselves. BLT raised money, not as much as we needed,…
To build on the conversation between actor Russ Kay and director Steve Cooper, I want to share the perspective that I developed while writing this new adaptation of Frankenstein: The name Frankenstein has become associated with…