DESIGN LAUNCH

Yesterday at 6:00 p.m., we launched the thesis design process.  This is a meeting at CMU, that invites the director, production managers, designers, dramaturge (now also Anthea) and advisors into a room.  First, we cover the business as usual, contact info and dates to follow, then the table turns over to the director, to inspire the team to greatness and inform everyone about  the initial ideas and goals of the production.  

Here was my launch:

1.  Welcome everyone to the room.  This is THE MILL ON THE FLOSS.

2.  I chose MILL for several reasons, 

a) the pleasure and awe I had assistant directing ANNA KARENINA by Helen Edmundson about 8 years ago.

b) when I read the story, I cried not at the sad part, but in the love scene between Phillip and Maggie.  This told me that I had a very personal and strong connection to both the story and the characters. (this type of emoting is NOT typical for me!)

c) The style of the play is fascinating and challenging.  I have never directed a play of this epic size and overtly theatrical style.

d).  Female novelist, female driven cast, female playwright, female director.  Perfect for my thesis.

3.   I had a few striking and new images on the table.  Provocative, that's all.  

4.  What is touching to me in this play?  "Extraordinary girl in an ordinary environment."  This can be terrifying, tragic, but beautiful when it happens.  

5. The play is about determinism.  The machine, will, survival.  

6.  The play is about US.

7. DESIGN:

a) IMAGINATION

b) Environmental -- scale and relationship to audience.

c) Transitional, transformative, and emotional.  Directing, as life, operates in transitions.   Give the stage moments of transformation.

8.  LAW OF DIALECTICS:  Quantity increases to a point that grows into a CRITICAL MOMENT and turns into a NEW quality. This is the same thing as the LAW OF PHYSICS.

We must look HOW to build a new moment.  And then how do all of the moments create the new world at the end of the play.

9.  PROCESS:

a.) Mutual trust and respect.  Giving and taking ideas as a team.  Relentless communication.

b.) EVERYTHING EXTERNAL MUST COME OUT OF THE STORY AND WORK ORGANICALLY TO HEIGHTEN THAT STORY.

c.) High energy, high positivity.

d.) Collaborators ARE THE FIRST AUDIENCE.

The play must give courage to extraordinary people!

ART IS CREATING A LARGER SENSE BY SIMPLER SYMBOLS. -- emerson

See quote in post about Theatre de Complicite.