Director Thoughts.

I decided to try and find all the directors to get some insights from them.  Most were very busy but they were all very willing to talk to me.  I asked them to tell me (in one word) how they were feeling right at that moment and also one word to describe their show.  Here you go.

Show #1: "Inanimacy" directed by M. Elizabeth Eller

Feeling: Hopeful Show: Fucktastic

Show #2: "Funerals" directed by Mik Kuhlman

Feeling: Great Show: Sweet

Show #3: "Mr. Jibbers" directed by Tyrone Brown

Feeling: Good Show: Puppetry

Show #4: "We're From Ohio" directed by Aimee Bruneau

Feeling: Torn Show: Sticky

Show #5: "Calling the Marker" directed by Scott Francis

Feeling: Great Show: Enjoyable

Show #6: "Great Expectations" directed by Makaela Pollock

Feeling: Sweaty Show: Spunky

Show #7: "Mr. McGregor's Garden" directed by Katjana Vadeboncoeur

Feeling: Awesome Show: Fucked

Now who doesn't want to see these shows?  

Lessons Learned

Here are some things I have learned this weekend:

MJ Sieber (playwright) doesn't ever sleep.  

Stage Managers need pants with pockets.

Ryan Higgins (actor) is very flexible.

Beer is better cold.

Alyssa Keene (band) knows how to play a lot of different instruments.  

There are so many people willing to do thankless jobs just for the chance to be involved in this festival.

Salo (band) cuts his sandwiched into quarters and doesn't eat the crusts.

Even people in Texas read this blog.

Chuck Leggett (actor) is very convincing as a can of beer.

On the Boards is a great host for 14/48.

Tyrone Brown (director) ate a whole angel food cake on his bus ride home last night.

There is no reason to not love this festival.

All of these people have been chosen for a reason.

I'm with the band.

Everyone involved in the festival works their butts off.  Seriously.  It would be difficult to say that one group of people has a harder job than another.  But one group who would definitely be in contention for "hardest workers" would be the 14/48 band.  

These musicians are amazing.  They show up in the morning, read the scripts for the seven shows, and then get to work.  Emissaries are sent to each director to see what their vision is for music and then they report back to each other and make that happen.  

They are in charge of pre-show music, transition music, all sound effects for all shows (foley style), all underscoring the directors request, as well as an intermission song and an outro song.  PLUS, they are encouraged to write and score an original song based on the theme and have it awesome by 8pm tonight.  AND THEY DO IT.  (I have been informed that they do have an original song for tonight, written by Jason Anderson and Alyssa Keene).  So, when you are watching the show tonight (at 8pm or 10:30pm) don't forget to pay a little special attention to the band-back in the corner there.  They are the first ones onstage and the last ones off.  

I caught up with the drummer, Ron Carnell, while he was on a rare break (sorry Ron, if you would have rather relaxed than have me ask you questions).  This is Ron's 13th time doing 14/48.  That is a lot.  But once you see him work, its totally obvious why.  He says that today is a music heavy day, but he doesn't seem worried.  I am impressed by how relaxed he is.  In fact, the band always looks relaxed.  Maybe that's why musicians are so cool.  Confidence.    

Half Way

At lunch, all the artists mingle together in an orgy of food and beverage. Alex Samuels and his dedicated kitchen helpers have created a feast: watermelon soup, make-your-own-sandwich bar, fried chicken, chips and salsa, fresh salad, fruit: you name, he has it. Well, you name one of the things on the list I just wrote, and he has it.

No one is simply eating, though. They are memorizing lines, talking about props, discussing music for the show, working on dialects, practicing their blocking, and talking about last nights shows.

One group discusses how last nights shows seemed to have a chicken and star trek theme. (If you didn't see it, there were two shows that had chicken-humans and more than one show that had star trek references.)

Alex Samuels just walked around with otter pops for everyone. He is a God. Now, satisfied that everyone has had their fill, he goes out for a much deserved smoke.

There is much discussion happening right now about trying to locate a coffin. Really. A show needs a coffin and no one seems to be able to have one. Do you have one?

What you will be seeing tonight.

14/48 Weekend One, Night Two

Theme: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

ACT ONE

Inanimacy by MJ Sieber, directed by M. Elizabeth Eller

Starring Kate Kraay, Chris Bell, Sam Hagen, and Charles Leggett

Funerals by Becky Bruhn, directed by Mik Kuhlman

Starring Lyam White, Shane Regan, and Annie Jantzer

Mister Gibbers by Erin Stewart, directed by Tyrone Brown

Starring Mark Fullerton and Sean Mitchell

We're From Ohio by Chris Haddad, directed by Aimee Bruneau

Starring Troy Fischnaller, Nik Perleros, Roy Stanton, and Shana Allman

INTERMISSION

ACT TWO

Calling in the Marker by Jim Jewell, directed by Scott Francis

Starring Shawnmarie Stanton, Bruce Hall, Eric Van Beauzekom, and Ben Burris

Great Expectations! by Darian Lindel, directed by Makela Pollock

Starring Jason Harber, Ryan Higgins, and Patti Miles Van Beauzekom

Mister McGregor's Garden by Rachel Atkins, directed by Katjana Vadeboncouer

Starring Ellie McKay, Cynthia Whalen, Carolyn Monroe, Jane May, and Trick Danneker

Get your tickets here!

Playwright update: Becky Bruhn

Email received 4:39 AM.

On the way out of the theatre tonight, a friend told me I should "stretch myself" and write a serious script. Um, no. I don't do that. Plus, it's not a good idea to stray on Saturday. This gal's opinion. But something ended up getting lodged in my brain, something serious, and I could not get rid of it. I fought the idea for two hours then finally realized I just had to do it. It may not be the fault of my friend but I want to kill him. I'm done now - it's 4:30am. Damn.

Wow. Methinks this theme was a bit more...'difficult' than the last one, no?

And PS, killing is never a good idea.

Playwright update: Jim Jewell part 2

Email received 2:52 AM.

Staring at the clock and watching the minutes tick away. Frankly convinced that this completed play I have in front of me is too weird, dark and offensive to actually convey what I'd like it to, and so the process began anew at 2:30. 21 minutes later, and I've got nuthin', I tell ya.