from Benno Nelson, Floor Manager

Today in Inishmore we had our Designer Run-Through, which is the culmination of all of the staging and acting work we have been working on in rehearsals, before we start incorporating the technical aspects of the show.  The designers (costumes, set, lights, props, special effects) are all invited to watch a complete performance of the show in the rehearsal room in order to get a better idea of the show than is possible just by reading the script.

In some ways what we have now is the skeleton of the show: the acting, pacing and storytelling without which the rest of the show collapses.  The work of the next week in tech and dress rehearsals will be fleshing out the show with all of the additional technical attractions that complete the experience.  If the skeleton isn’t strong enough, no amount of technical work will keep the show interesting, but judging by today’s rehearsal, we’re in great shape to support all of the intricacies to come.

Tomorrow’s rehearsal is going to be really fun.  Today we met the special effects coordinator Steve Tolin, and he’ll start working with the cast and crew tomorrow to help realize the exciting tricks in this play like gunshots and a crane that lifts one actor off the ground by his feet (without giving too much away).  Of course, an audience member might only come see the show once, but we’ll be doing it eight times a week so it’s really important that every aspect of this demanding show is thoroughly choreographed and rehearsed so that it’s both thrilling for the audience and safe for the actors.  I can’t wait to start incorporating these effects with the solid foundation provided by our great ensemble and all of their work over the past two weeks.

I’ll let you know how it goes!