Fringe Adventures with Burnt Thicket

This summer, I had the privilege to Stage Manage at some of our most amazing cities across Canada.  And I wanted to share with you some about our adventure and what we learned:

STAGE MANAGING at the WINNIPEG FRINGE: 

On July 10th, Jamie Popoff of Burnt Thicket Theatre and I (Wanda) traveled, along with Jamie's family, to Winnipeg with "Hockey Dad: A Play in 3 Periods". We had a lot of fun along the way traveling through small town Saskatchewan finding surprise ice cream spots. 

Upon getting into Winnipeg, Jamie set up camp at the Travelers Campsite with his family and I found my way to the downtown transitional housing called The Flatliner's Inn which was only a 20 minute walk from the theatre.  It was so good to be greeted with a friendly smile and a helping hand after nervously navigating to a dark street in an older part of the city!  Derrick, Scott and Jacqueline helped me feel right at home.  

We were surprised at the size of Winnipeg's summer festival -154 shows taking part over the 2 week period. (It is just as big if not bigger than Edmonton's Fringe.)  This meant that we had the huge task of marketing our show, a new story for Winnipeg audiences.  But we did our best - putting posters and sandwhich boards wherever we could and giving out playbills to whomever we met.

It was challenging but not surprising to see that our show did not attract sizable audiences.  However, we were happy that we averaged 20-30 people.  Those that came loved the story and the 3 technicians that worked with us told us that they were so impressed with our show and the spirit and attitude with which we shared it. In addition, our stage hands, Lara, Tristen and Caleb, said they were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help us.  In that way, we had a very positive impact and are so glad for that success.

STAGE MANAGING at the SASKATOON FRINGE:

On July 27th, we traveled to Saskatoon.  This was a very different experience from Winnipeg in that it was a smaller Fringe and felt more like a small town event.  We were greeted with much excitement and anticipation.  And we had invitations to meals and parties with other performers.  The Fringe coordinators provided us with sandwich boards and help with putting them out each day and the performers came out to support our show as we did their's.  There were only 30 shows over the 2 week period playing and so our show had up to 60 people in the audience at a time. Stephanie joined Jamie's wife Julie as our stage hands.  Between hanging out and eating together at Jamie's home away from home, canoe rides down the South Saskatchewan and long red underwear and hockey board games on the street, we not only had a greater impact and much more fun, but we creatively and personally grew as well. 

Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca

Thinking Outside of the Genre???

I have been thinking about something since I saw "The Blue Dragon" in Vancouver.  And tonight when I saw the film "Avatar", it came up again:

In both these pieces, I was struck by the fact that the Directors chose a genre that does not usually entail fabulous script and acting.  Lepage is a Director who is known for his work in French Theatre - which is a spectacle genre.  Cameron is an adventure science fiction Director known for spectacle and action.

Although I actually do love much of what these 2 directors do, I find it interesting that they are sticking to a focus on spectacle when there is so much more to be had in the telling of their stories through the script and through the acting.

For e.g. in "The Blue Dragon", the story took place in an impressive 2 story set that converted into a bar with a moving track table, airport, condo in Shanghai, a warehouse, the outdoors of the condo.  It was fabulous to watch and to see all the amazing images created by the projectors and by the dancers. At the same time, the script was a translation that could have used a little more work and much of the acting was not at all at the professional level that I thought it would be. But it was a really great story - one that would have been so much more powerful if delivered with excellence.

In "Avatar", Cameron created this amazing world of the Avatars and merged the curiosity and science of man with that world in a very creative way.  The images and the camera work in the film were incredible and very easy to watch.  But the script and the characters were created with the typical stereotype of the science fiction genre - where the people are very one-note:  The Avatars are this incredible spiritual people who live in this fabulously gorgeous forest and they do amazing things for each other and their surroundings there, whereas the army and the scientists who are studying the Avatars end up being pushy and selfish for the most part - even evil.  The most human person that we could relate to is the main character- the corporal.  In the end, he too makes stereotypically amazing choices. It's all just too good or too bad to be real. 

I guess I am partial to telling a good story and not sparing a dime on that because I want people to relate and to be drawn in.  Both of these pieces left me with wondering eyes and attention, not because I did not appreciate the spectacle, but because I think the story was shafted by the desire to create the spectacle.

Long lasting art I think is something that people will be able to identify with for a long time to come.  And I think that this kind of art can only happen when we are willing to think outside of the genre box.

What do you think?


Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca

"Filth" by Irvine Welsh and Choice

When I went to see the show "Filth" at Sage Theatre directed by Kelley Reay, I had no idea what to expect.  I had a feeling it was not going to be pretty.  But I am really glad that I went.  I am glad because the show reminded me anew that not everyone comes from the same background.  And it is important for me to remember this so that I am a better person to others.  I will continue to plan carefully what it is that I do take in.  At the same time, I am learning how good it is to consider the worlds of others and to not turn a blind eye to them.  We can learn from each other. 

As I watched equity actor Frank Zotter play 28 characters (crazy but true) with the main being police officer, Bruce Robertson, I found myself thinking that every single ugly in this character's life - the drugs, the cursing, the drinking, the watching porn- each was a choice.  Eventually, we learn that his wife is not coming back and that the home he grew up in was filled with great criticism and anger.  This inheritance kept playing out in his life as a curse symbolized by a terrorizing worm growing in his belly.  We could see how the choices of parents impact the choices of children. 

There was one line in particular in the show that stood out.  Bruce has gone Christmas shopping, not to his delight.  He's walking back from making his purchase when he sees a man collapse in the street fighting for his life.  Bruce responds and does CPR but to no avail.  The man dies.  Shortly after, we hear Bruce ask "What makes a good man?" 


It has got me thinking about filth and about choices.  What it is that makes one person's life so filthy and another person's life so clean?  Is it really all the stuff we do or don't do?  Are those of us who have grown up in healthier environments really so much better than those who haven't? 

As it is getting to that time of year, Easter, I was reading in Matthew where Jesus tells the disciples that they are going to betray him and leave him. They ALL deny the possibility. Every last one of them. And then they ALL do exactly what they said they wouldn't.

So we all have the capacity to choose good things or ugly things in us. It is what we do with this that makes a difference. Just because we think we won't and did not come from that kind of background doesn't necessarily mean we won't. The possibility is always there. It's definitely a choice what we do.  Fact is, we all need the help of God.  

Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca

Back from Vancouver Olympics

We are back from the Olympics!  It was a fantastic experience that I want to share with you.  Here's a picture of me at the cauldron...

The best parts of being there:
*Incredible energy and excitement throughout the city.
*When Canada scored in hockey, we heard the cheers echo in the streets.
*People were really helpful and nice.
*Superb weather (other than the rain in the second week)
*Beautiful sites.
*Meeting incredible talents in art and music.
*Being able to perform a play about hockey and God's heart in the midst of it all.

A huge thank you to Pacific Theatre for providing the space and to Jess, our tech.  And most of all, thanks to those of you who gave and supported so that we could go, especially our families.

If you still have not given to our adventure and would like to, you can still send your cheque to Burnt Thicket Theatre 240 15 Ave SW Calgary AB T2N 1P7.   Be sure to indicate on the cheque who you are supporting - Jamie or Wanda.

Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca

A Director - Someone Who Is To Lead in the Arts Part 2

Continuing on the idea that Directors are leaders....

This past week as a Director, I have been in evaluation mode. As a result, I have had conversations with several people who work in different capacities in the theatre - Producer, Actor, Stage Manager - and all of them have had very similar responses when I tell them that I am interested in their feedback about their work with me and the relationship we have had. They say, "Really? You want to know what I think? Really??? 'Cause I'm so used to not being heard or even asked."

There is a reason my asking is a surprise.  As it is the Director whose vision and leadership becomes the focal point of creation for a production, it has been my experience that in the theatre world many Directors do not ask what the people they work most closely with think of their leadership or their work.

Again, I want to reiterate that I struggle with both evaluation and also to not fall when I am leading.  Being a Director carries with it great challenges.  It is easy to see how someone in this role might make mistakes.  After all, we are front and center leading the vision into reality.  However, I believe, for the powerful communication through art, that it is imperative that Directors learn to not only be powerful creators but powerful leaders and people.

Obviously, there is a danger in asking anyone and everyone for an evaluation. You can, for one, become overwhelmed with all the information you are getting back. And, if you are not secure in your person, evaluation can knock you for a loop.

However, I have found that there is value in asking those who you know will be honest and open with you. It can provide you with great insights into things that you did not realize and it can assist you in growing in the places that you really do need to mature in rather than only the ones that you yourself are interested in.

It is never easy to hear feedback but it always bears fruit and improves my next project and my life.


Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca

A Director - Someone Who Is To Lead in the Arts Part 1

Who is a Stage Director? This is the person whose responsibility it is to communicate, clarify and control or lead in the production of a show for the stage and the theatre. They collaborate with designers, actors and producers to create a story on the stage. And they rely on managers to assist them in putting it on the stage in a strong powerful way within the boundaries of budget and space.

In order to do the things that a Director needs to do and to do them with excellence and integrity, a Director must become someone who is not only a great creator but also a great leader and person. It is a huge responsibility - one that should never be taken lightly.

Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly my experience to hear of Stage Directors who do not handle their responsibilities well. This includes some who are well educated and even those who are teaching the skills in universities and colleges.

This is hard to hear. I find this difficult to hear because a Director sets the tone for the whole experience. The people who work with a Director have a very different experience depending on the character of the Director they are collaborating with. Whether we want to admit it or not, those of us who work as Directors are leaders and have a mandate to be the best we can be as people in skill and our persons. If we treat people in our lives without respect and take advantage of them, then we are not going to produce very good shows nor are we going to leave a very strong legacy.

I know that this is true because I have struggled all my life to treat my friends, family and colleagues with respect and with love. It's not that my heart is set not to. It's just that I have learned this bad behavior - when the pressures are on during the creation of a piece or I am not having a great day or something personally is occurring in my life that is difficult to deal with, I sometimes choose to feel out of control and insecure. As a result, I have tended to condescend or disrespect people. This has not bode well for me in my life. I have lost opportunities and relationships because of this.

So if you are a Director, I would encourage you, based on my experience, to take a look at how things are going for you and what kind of result you are having. You might just want to make some changes.


Designing with you...

Wanda
http://www.reinholdtproductions.ca