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November 19, 2005
Behind the Scenes of Seton Hill's Theatre Program (Part 2)
A selection committee reviews plays. “First and foremost,” said Brino-Dean, “we consider what the theatre majors need to round out their education.”
Every production starts with the script.
“The script is the bones of the production," said Glass . "We study it; evaluate the mood, and decide our production take." Glass, who oversees lighting design, scours it for mechanics. "What time of day is it? Will people be turning lights on and off?"
Students audition for every show. Senior Adrienne Fischer said there’s tension around auditions. “Everything’s up for grabs,” said Fischer. “And everyone wants to do their best.”
Pullen, surrounded by stacks of scripts and text books, explained that students aren’t required to audition. Sometimes they take a semester off to maintain their grades. When they’re cast, they spend 30 hours a week rehearsing which doesn’t include costume fitting, etc.
“The rehearsal is the classroom,” said Pullen. When she directs, she has a good idea of where she wants the actors to stand. “They teach me so much about the character,” said Pullen. “I learn from them.”
Brino-Dean, who had performed with an improv troupe, said learning lines is just the beginning. An actor has to respond truthfully. If an actor doesn’t, the audience will know it. “Acting,” said Brino-Dean, “is reacting. Acting is improvisation.”
Posted by NancyGregg at November 19, 2005 2:19 PM