We begin, we end

I get the feeling that it has been a while since most people have looked at this blog, but I thought it would be a good place to say thank you to everyone who was involved in this show. (Maybe you're looking at it some years after the fact, with a little nostalgic tear in your eye.) Kieran, Gedney, Actors, Designers, Crew... every one of you astounds me with your dedication and creativity. I am honored to have been a part of your work. I've realized that I would rather spend hours more in the 92 working with you all than anything else that I should be doing. This much just wasn't enough.
Thank you all for giving me an endlessly meaningful experience.
Emma

Toys

This one is for designers:

When will it be possible for us (actors) to start rehearsing with our full set of costumes/props? There are several places where we've been miming or glossing over bits with objects we've never seen, let alone used (ie the padlock). Is it possible that we can get a hold of the things that are ready? The kid in me wants to play with toys.
~Sean

Music the Magical Fruit?

That's not right...but you know what is? Sheet music! For the actors and actresses in the play I found this wonderful Latter Day Saints (Mormons!) that has not only the sheet music but also a playable sing along. So those who want to get a head start and earn some Paul points (non-redeemable) check this out before we start learning the song for keeps.

Mormons!

Hopefully that link works inform me if it doesn't. Also for those curious about other musical aspects of the show I just purchased this, this color may not be appreciated by the audience so somethings will be done to resolve the sky blue sky quality of the case.

Library of Congress <3 Flickr?

I found out that Flickr and Library of Congress have teamed up to release photos from the LOC vaults. One of the first collection sets up is of B&W of the 1910s and another of the Great Depression. I know Summerland takes place right smack dab in between but I thought these photos would be a good source for how people looked back then (most of them looked bad ass).

1930s-1940s
1910

Weight Sharing and Contact Improv

This is way cool, let's do it!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpFeeAN3gK0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBU9Oernv50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBU9Oernv50

My friend actually does a lot of this kind of dancing and helped me with an audition where I had to do something like this so I can ask her some more about it. But when she was helping me she said to have my whole body follow one part of my body.

Anyway thats all I got but check it out.

Emily

Chandelier

First of all, thank you Ian for your lovely vectorworks drawings.

I've searched high and low for the sockets we're going to need to build the chandelier, and have determined after calling every single electrical company in the state (I'm not even kidding here, I can give you the list if you want) that the only place to find them is online. It looks like they're only available in green or white. I think green would be awful, but black would be better than white, and it might be easier to turn the green ones black than the white ones.

As far as light bulbs, if we go with the CA8, which is the lamp Ian drew, the wattage options range from 15-40w. With 54 total lamps, even with 15w lamps, we have a total wattage of 810w, which I think will be plenty. The only possible merit I can see to a higher wattage is that they could spend the entire show running at a low intensity, which would (I think) make them a warmer color. We could also get amber-tinted "antique" lamps.

My worry is that even with the 15w lamps, we're going to be potentially overheating the sockets, since they're normally used with 7w christmas lights. I've sent an email to the manufacturer, because I can't find any information about the rating of the sockets online.

UPDATE: I've found something that will work, and they're even black. The only problem is that they cost $1.40 each, and we need 54 + spares.

more finalized costume designs

These are the designs I presented at the big department meeting.









Harry (with jacket in the beginning of the play, without it as the play progresses)



suspenders are made of rope,
wingtips on shoes are from persian rug.



Margery

newspaper turban, handcuff belt



Bess

(fabric of dress
matches fabric of curtain)









Arthur Conan Doyle

(persian rug vest)




Cecelia (below)





(Cecelia's hat made
of newspaper)


Kingsley Doyle




newspaper tie
persian rug shorts
combat boots to come??!




Mother (below)

with
rope
necklace Scientists (all 3 scientists just have the lab coats over their previous costume, but all wear white button down shirts and newspaper printed ties)

Sherlock Holmes


persian rug hat

Son
vest matches curtain