this is how this is done

Okay, the Director's meeting was just too overwhelming for me and my fellow Blogess, Rebecca Goldberg, has that covered so I left.  I was given a bunch of fabulous pictures from yesterday by our spectacular photographer Joe Iano so I thought I was take a few minutes to celebrate what happens behind the scenes.

It takes a lot of people to make this happen.  In fact, last night, this is how many people were here as artists and volunteers.  Yeah, that's right, we nearly fill up the theater.

The many faces of 14/48.

View from the sound booth.

Badges for the Virgin weekend participants.  SO many people to make this happen!

Producers Shawn Belyea and Jodi-Paul Wooster-Brown

As I wander around the Erickson, trying to decide what to tell you about, I think about how Shawn Belyea and Megan Ahiers seem to be everywhere, answering questions, making things happen, and always smiling and offering encouragement.  You hear, "Good job," and "thank you," a lot around here.  I haven't seen anyone who acts important.  Decisive, yes.  Important, no.  It's a necessity in the theatre world to be a little bossy sometimes.  Feelings can't be managed but there is a pervasive feeling of goodwill and respect here.  There isn't time to take things personally, everyone is very present, very focused and very collaborative from the front office to the band to the kitchen. 

We now have 4.5 hours until show time and tech is happening.  The band sounds cohesive. There's a guy on stage in a flirty skirt with some really great socks (that Brandon Ryan helped me noticed when he stopped by) and the energy is high.

Last night at the meeting, Shawn told us to "Take care of ourselves and each other."  That is happening.  People are asking for what they need and giving what they can.  This is what equality feels like.

This seems like a good model for living right here:  Risk-taking, respect, care and collaboration. 

This is how this is done.

Updates from Floors 1 through 3

Let's start in the Lalie and head up from there.

Ben, Sarah, Megan and Mark
Photo: Agastya Kohli

Manny's crew (Mark Boeker, Justin Huertas, Ben McFadden, Megan Ahiers and Sarah Winsor) are running through lines and finding the funny in Eric Lane Barnes' script titled Slice of Life. The cast is enjoying the script - trying to go off book - like a fledgling chic. Manny is sitting back and enjoying the show.

Up in the Allen Theatre, Peggy Gannon is driving her foursome of Alex Samuels, Lantz Wagner, Rachel Ross and Rebecca Shepherd through some detailed table work.

Rebecca Shepherd, Alex Samuels, Rachel Ross and Lantz Wagner
Photo: Agastya Kohli

As the cast looks away from the scripts, Alex asks Peggy, and I quote, "Did any set discussions get had?" Peggy looks straight at him and says, "please explain the intent of your question". Then she turns to me and asks, "can I get some new actors?"

I tell her I'll look into it and walk towards the Allen Theatre green room, where Paul Budraitis is directing Matt Smith's play 21 Run, starring David Brown King, Jason Harber (Mazen!) and Chris Ensweiler.

Jason is sitting in front of 21 little paper cups, pouring pretend booze into all of them. Then he starts drinking the 21 shots and as he hiccups his way through the 21 shots, he starts arranging the cups in the shape of a pyramid, pausing once or twice to check his phone for incoming text messages.

He pours.
Photo: Agastya Kohli

He drinks.
Photo: Agastya Kohli

He burps.
Photo: Agastya Kohli

I predict this sequence will result in rolling laughter like the bouncing babies did last night. Thank you Mr. Brendan Healy for the babies and Mr. Matt Smith for the shots.

Select Pictures from Friday Performance

Here are some fantastic shots by our photographer extraordinaire Joe Iano from Friday night's performances.

Jodi-Paul Wooster greeting the audience.
Photo: Joe Iano

Action shot - that is baby on the bounce back, with skull wide open and brain
on the floor.
Photo: Joe Iano

Chris Ensweiler in Spidy suit and Trick Hulking it up.
Photo: Joe Iano

Max does his magic on the sound board
Photo: Joe Iano

Amanda Lee Williams rides the dune worms as Leia
Photo: Joe Iano

Andrew Murray, Charles Smith and Alex Samuels.
Photo: Joe Iano

Polar bear swim not so sexy in Mother Russia
Photo: Joe Iano

Thank you everyone!
Photo: Joe Iano

Lunch is Served

Megan Ahiers

Actors and directors start trickling into Bullitt to grab a quick sandwich. Jodi-Paul Brown-Wooster picks up a slice of deli meat and offers it to Megan Ahiers.

"Here, this is to help you with your acting."

"Is that ham? Thank you very much", Megan quips.

I got a sense that she wasn't being sincere in her thanks to Jodi-Paul. She might still have been a little peeved when this picture was taken.

14/48 - The Process Behind Social Networking a Festival, pt.1

Jodi-Paul said I should (or maybe he said couldn't... I can't remember) do a post for the blog from abroad so I decided to do investigative work on facebook using posts from those involved to give a report... here it is...

14/48 - The Process Behind Social Networking a Festival, pt.1

‎RYAN HIGGINS - "14/48 gods, give me something fun. Or something excruciatingly horrible. Either way it's tome to become an alchemist and turn anything handed to me into gold."
* The item of interest in this perplexing facebook update is Higgins' use of the word 'tome' - meaning 'a large book'. A large book used to study alchemy. In a weekend which throws the rehearsal process on its head, I find it challenging to think that Higgins is going to sacrifice such an immense, and ludicrous, amount of time to study alchemy. Keep an eye on Higgins' performance tonight... and be very critical.

BANTON FOSTER - "is gonna design your brains out, 14/48. Yeah, you like that."
* I think this post is obvious. Banton wants brains. Banton has become a zombie. Being he wants the 14/48's brains, I would keep an eye out for the steering committee... specifically Shawn Belyea.

LIBBY BARNARD - "Night world. 14/48 this weekend!!!!!"
* Too many exclamations marks equals lots of nervous energy... sweet, sweet virgin nervous energy.

MEGAN AHIERS - "14/48 tonight! Based on the theme "headin' down south"... I don't think you want to miss this one."
* Yes. True. Based on facebook posts I also don't think you want to miss this one.

Reporting from the performative world of the social network... I'm out.

Ahiers on the verge of a sugar OD, "Not my fault" says Bradshaw

Megan Ahiers has consumed an unhealthy amount of sugar claim numerous regional doctors with large salaries.

Exclaimed Dr. Sal Nettle, "With the amount of sugar she's had enter her body, she'll probably be pooping Peeps tomorrow morning."

"It's just not right," continued Nettle, "the human body can only take on so much sugar before it begins to sweat syrup."

So who is to blame. Many say John Bradshaw is the leading culprit after leaving dozens and dozens of delicious baked goods for everyone's enjoyment. Others would claim that Megan herself is to blame for not having the ability to say, "Only one."

Thank you to John Bradshaw for all of the sweet treats and keep an eye on Megan around 10:15 when she crashes on a couch and sleeps for 14 hours.

Don't look at me...

Megan Ahiers keeps looking at me like I've done something.

I don't know. I just don't know.

It's not because I'm stoned. I'm not stoned.

I just don't know.

8:00 show will be starting any time now... any time...

What the hell is going on?

This is Chris Bell stepping in for Troy on the ol' blog factory. You'll have to give me a second to collect myself and eat my cheese sandwich.

(Takes a bite of cheese sandwich)

Mmmm... that's some good cheese. Now wash it down with some keg beer.

(Takes a drink of beer)

Much better. Now lets be honest... I have no clue what's going on. Megan Ahiers keeps looking at me like I've done something wrong. Like I should've been here earlier.

I don't know. I just don't know.

It's not because I'm stoned. I'm not stoned.

I just don't know.

Patrick Apple-corn just told me he really likes the show he's in and that it's beautiful. Oh... then why don't you just get a room with show number 6, Patrick... you love sick puppy.

Q & A - MEGAN AHIERS - NEWEST STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER

SLOOP: How do you feel with your first day as 14/48's newest Steering Committee member?

MEGAN: A little disconnected because I was gone all day, but I've been following the blog which I felt to be very informative and helpful.

SLOOP: Thank you. If I were to tell you there's a play tonight featuring aliens, how would that make you feel?

MEGAN: This would make me excited because I just saw Avatar in 3-D. Emphasis on the 3-D.

SLOOP: James Cameron wrote Avatar. Do you feel he could be a 14/48 invitee?

MEGAN: Based on the steering committee's criteria, I don't believe his work would be up to snuff. He's a pretty awful writer.

SLOOP: Favorite thing about being involved with 14/48?

MEGAN: The blog. (laughs)

SLOOP: Not sure how I feel about your laughter, but thank you anyway.

ALL COMPANY MEETING IN 20 MINUTES!

FIRST SHOW IN ONE HOUR AND 20 MINUTES!

THE EXCITEMENT IS PALPABLE...

TECH - The Female of the Species by Maggie Lee

Tech for show three has begun - 4:35. Megan Ahiers has just arrived and is sitting next to me. She must have not liked my patchouli scent because as soon as she arrived she left.

Oh my goodness... has Brandon Whitehead lost weight? He looks fabulous! I can't believe he doesn't have a boyfriend... (Brandon may or may not have told me to blog that)

Ahhh... Ryan Higgins almost slid off the stage! Erin Kraft reminds him to be safe. I would like to recommend that he gets those socks with the grippy things on the bottom.

The tech for this show is rolling right along... like a hippo on roller skates.