The theatre department is buzzing with activity this week. Children of Eden previews tonight and opens Thursday, and Eurydice rehearsals are speeding along more quickly than anyone (or at least I) expected. Sarah Ruhl's play has three acts, or "Movements," and in two weeks of rehearsal our director has blocked two of them. I'm so impressed!

I'm also reminded as this show goes along what a collaborative process theatre is. Eurydice is a challenging show because it has some odd and fascinating elements in its script. One of my favorite stage directions, for instance, is "He throws her into the sky." It's up to the design team to meet challenges like these, and its always super interesting and fun to see what they come up with. In the IC theatre department, design teams consists of both adults (mostly professors) and theatre students. They work with the director to design the set, lights, props, costumes, etc. Eurydice's design team is my favorite of any I've worked with so far, not only because they're uber-creative and thoughtful, but because as stage managers we ask a lot of them, and they've been really great about getting us what we need. In the last week, "what we need" has mostly been rehearsal props and costumes. We started out with a good supply, but things continue to pop up as blocking progresses. We've had to ask for things like "vertical elements to represent the string room" (yes, there actually is a room made out of string) and they've been prompt and attentive to our needs, all while they're in the midst of their real jobs, which are to prepare for the actual performances. 

Speaking of the performances, I hope you're all planning on coming, if only because the other interesting thing about the last week's rehearsals is that we started working with stilts. I won't give it away and tell you who is wearing them or why (read the play and ponder), but I will tell you that they're freaking COOL. Also, I think I mentioned in my last post that we have actors playing stones. The idea is intriguing, but the reality is even cooler. The actors have been working with the director and with dance professor Lindsay Gilmour to figure out how to move like stones, and while ideas continue to evolve over the course of the process, it just keeps getting more interesting.

On a personal note, my stage manager (Stephanie Jayko '11) was at an audition last night, so my other assistant stage manager (Lindsay Ricketts '11) and I ran rehearsal for the first half until Stephanie arrived. I was reminded how fun (and nerve-wracking) it is to be in charge of running rehearsals. I haven't run a rehearsal since I finished doing Thoroughly Modern Millie with IC Triple Threat Theatre last semester, and I've never run a mainstage rehearsal. It was great, if a little crazy keeping track of so many props, costumes, set changes, sound, breaks and timing, etc. At a normal rehearsal the stage manager and the assistant stage managers divide those things between themselves, so there are three of us in charge of all those elements. I've never really noticed before, but that's a lot for two people to handle. It reminded me that I'm lucky to be part of a stage management team. Way to go, teamwork!

Next up, the Third Movement, and who knows what else! Keep your eyes peeled for an update next week about the progress of the Eurydice cast and crew.