"There was one other. But she was in Egypt. And besides, she didn't last as long as I have."

Last night I had Frances, Brenda, and Charlotte over for dinner and to watch a little I, Claudius. It was a lovely evening with some of my favorite people, and some of my favorite television.

Given the company, the timing, and theme of the evening, the conversation inevitably included talk of Caesar. I mentioned (something I am only just now revealing here) how when I made suggestions to help Lenny and Jenna cast the show, my only thought that differed from their final choices was that I had Brenda and Steph switched as Antony and Cassius. This was with total respect for both as actors (seeing as neither role is exactly undesirable) but with concern that Steph would not want to play as a man, and I could more easily see Cassius as a woman than Mark Antony. I must concede my error in judgment in that case. To have cast as I had suggested would have not only deprived us of Steph's remarkable interpretation of Mark Antony, it would have also removed the advantage of the remarkable onstage chemistry of Brenda and Frances. Their version worked out fantastically, and my concerns turned out to be for nothing.

The truth is I have a difficult time holding the Shakespearean Antony as the conception of Antony in my head. I tend to see him far more (and I think this may actually be more historically accurate) as a rough-and-tumble soldier who partied too much, said whatever came to mind, and was much less of a politician and much more of a born battlefield second-in-command. That is a very masculine image, and it is from this that my inability to picture that character feminized came.

Of course my thinking on all matters of this period is influence by I, Claudius, one of my two all-time favorite novels and the fantastic BBC miniseries we watched part of last night. Antony is dead by the time that I, Claudius begins, but it still does a great deal to emphasize the cruder image of Antony I have in my head. He has been soundly dishonored and defeated many years ago by that point, and is dismissed by Marcellus as a "wine-soaked lover and his Egyptian whore." In his place remains only Augustus, and for all that I'm not sure it's accurate to history at all, I LOVE the Gravesian version of Augustus. He is expansive, emotional, forthright, friendly-tempered, in possession of a strong code of values, and perhaps even a bit boyish while still having the more typical qualities of a supreme statesmen of cunning, discernment, and political acument. I like that balance, that atypical combination. He is intensely likeable and yet respectable in his capacity.

I find myself wanting to write a play about the period where he and Antony split, clashed at Actium with Octavian emerging the victor, and the transition from triumvir Octavian to emperor Augustus. I suppose that is a time period already covered by Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, but as I said, that interpretation of Antony does not particularly strike me. And at any rate, I am significantly more interested in Augustus as a character.

With him as my central figure, I would go with my preference for the expansive, emotional Octavian. This man would mourn Caesar and despise treachery but genuinely mull over the position of Brutus; he would adore Caesar as his personal god but feel the pressure of having to live up to him; he would have a bright outlook on the Rome that the new Triumvirate was going to build together and be genuinely wounded that Antony, a man who he thought was his friend, could betray him. I would like to play with the notion that Augustus became emperor with the intention of sort of putting Rome back in order, and then returning it to a more Republic notion of government. The he liked the idea of the Republic, but it was clear that the empire couldn't support it at the time, that it needed the firm central guidance that at that time only he was in a position to provide. I would also want to show Livia as a strong driving force behind him, not so wicked as the Gravesian version of her, but with a much more cynical view of things than he had. She'd be a pragmatist who was willing to do the hard, sometimes distasteful things for the good of Rome, someone who didn't believe in the Republic at all and thought that only an emperor could run things the way they needed to be. And I'd want to contrast the two of them with portrayals of Cleopatra and Antony, more power-hungry and less civic-minded, their relationship more lustful and more tempestuous than the loving but more subdued and more intellectual one of Octavian and Livia. Though battles are tough to depict in theater, I think it would culminate in the defeat of Anthony at Actium, and the making of Octavian into the Emperor Augustus.

I don't know what I would call the piece. I like the way Shakespeare gives simple, punchy main-character-name titles to his historical and psuedo-historical pieces, so maybe I'd just go with "Octavian." I know I've got other things going on right now, but I really like this idea. I think it bears a little more exploration to see if I could viably write it.

Close of Caesar



Caesar closed to glorious work this weekend, and I am incredibly proud of everyone involved. Lenny and Jenna, you did it, guys. And Bernie, you are a fantastic tech director for getting that going so smoothly and so well.

I ran the camcorder during the Friday show and then photo call after it. There are basically two approaches one can take to videotaping a theatrical performance-- either pick a spot that sees the whole stage the whole time and leave it there, or try to follow the action from a general vantage point. I significantly prefer the latter, as it can afford you much better views for all the differing parts of the stage-- I feel like I can see the important stuff much better when I go back to watch that way. That way, however, requires a lot more attention and care in the process. I am roughly familiar with video cameras but have no real training or skill, so I am serviceable but not excellent at operating them. While I'm certain I could improve with practice, I unfortunately do not have the steadiest hand, and the tripod I was working with had some weird resistance that I had to, sometimes shakily, push through. All in all, though, with a little help from Jared in the second act, I think we produced a decent tape.



Photo call was done in less than an hour, and probably would have gone faster if there hadn't been a touch of "too many cooks in the kitchen" syndrome going on. People were also keyed up from having done a great show, and though I really didn't want to be a killjoy it can be tough to yell instructions at people who are being loud and silly AND getting contradictory instructions as well. Ah, well. Again, I got that shit done in under an HOUR, which, if you've ever run a photo call for a show that long, is freaking RECORD time.

Strike was done in record time as well. Basically the cast and crew just swarmed the set, tore it apart, cleaned up, AND helped Melcher carry in the wood for his upcoming show's build. Well done, guys. I love the dedication and work ethic of the real HTPers. Goodbye, gorgeous set. Thus goes the ephemerality of theater. A trip to IHOP was organized after strike, but by that point I was feeling for some reason, as I occasionally do, unattractive and unpresentable, and therefore had no further desire to be out in public. I kind of regret not sharing in the fun, but I hate inflicting myself on other people when I'm feeling down. So I went home and took a shower to scald off the feeling of ugly.

Yesterday I took Jared to the airport so he could go home for the Pesach break. This afternoon I will be making the same trip so Bernie can as well. That means I will have a few days to myself before I make my own journey home for Easter. I confess I don't particularly want to go, but I do want to be with my parents, who miss me. It just leaves only a small amount of time to take care of some of my own projects and chores without any obligation to others. I think right now I need that.
 



Amazing opening night





Caesar opened last night, and I must say, it was fantastic, even better than I thought it was going to be. The energy was up, the actors increased their dynamic movement to fill the stage and make the best use of the set, the amount of character-building stage business went up. While other shows may have had standout performances, the acting was consistently better across the board than any Shakespeare we've done before it. The technical aspects came together gorgeously, looking slick, professional, and painstaking. This was definitely one of the best mainstage shows Hold Thy Peace has put on to date. Lenny and Jenna, the directors of this excellent piece, should be incredibly proud.

Brenda conveys the intensity of an obsessive personality with a fascinating combination of fire and steel. She cuts a tall, square, lean figure in her suit and her military uniform, plotting, imposing, inexorable. My guts twist at the thought that I'll probably never get a chance to direct her myself. She perfectly accents Frances, lovely Frances, who is so talented I get lost in it. Her need to cogitate and weigh contrasts brilliantly with Brenda's constant burning surety. I also admire her for balancing Brutus's quiet cerebralness with a dynamic ponderousness that emphasizes the character's ponderousness without divorcing from the physical performance. I want to see her play every role in all of Shakespeare, because I believe she could do it all, and I want to bear witness to it.

Steph confirms my theory that when good actors are required to stretch, it improves them and helps them to grow. Making the role of Mark Antony a woman, keeping the gender identity while adapting it to fit an atypical societal position, is not an easy job, and not really one Steph has had to attempt before. Among all the fantastic performances in the show, she is the standout, and I believe it is because she was challaneged to create a part outside of her typical repetoire. Her "Friends, Romans, countrymen," speech got applause when it only otherwise occurred at act breaks.

  

Nati is very interesting to me. He is clearly talented and has fantastic instincts-- of everyone, his stage business I found the most genuine and the most compelling. I could see someone with his repetoire being inclined to over-acting, but I thought he balanced it well last night, keeping busy and interesting and active without being too distracting. Caitlin's performance is so complex. She has a remarkable ability to convey layers of feeling beneath the words-- you get no just what she's saying, but what's going on behind her eyes a the same time, which is a really difficult thing. And I have been impressed by April's progression. She was really good as Regan, but in playing the Nurse and having the opportunity to play a character requiring a lot of meta-commentary by the actor (must understand the dramatic function of the part to the play, has many different notes to hit, has many levels to hit, which levels and which notes are appropriate when, et cetera) I think she grew much more savvy about how to go approach roles. She auditioned for Caesar with a monologue of the Nurse, which though she had performed on stage, she directed herself to clean up her performance to a point of making it more honest and less over-the-top while still keeping it funny. It was one of the best-prepared auditions I've ever seen. Her portrayal of Decius demonstrated how much more sophisticated and nuanced her acting, and her approach to roles, are getting.

 

I enjoy the double casting of Julius Caesar and Octavian-- I should, it was my suggestion. ;-) I like it because I find actors give stronger performances when they are double-cast meaningfully, which this is. Octavian was the grand-nephew of Caesar, so you get family resemblance, and there is now some continuity between the man that became Rome's first dictator and his heir who became its first emperor. Also, it gives Plesser a chance to stretch. I thought he did a very good job of differentiating the two, making Caesar an arrogant, stage-filling presence and Octavian stern, calculating general planning to win a war and rebuild a government.

The other notable thing about the evening is that Charlotte, wanting to do something creative while killing time before the show, painted a design on my back. It is gothy and gorgeous, kind of an abstract bat wing design. There should be pictures of it up shortly. She is incredibly talented, and I am so flattered to have been able to be a canvas for her. Sadly in sleep I smeared it somewhat, but she can paint a new one on me anytime. :-) I shall be attending again tonight, after which photo call will happen for sure. I am ready and excited. Then, I believe, there will probably be the traditional pilgrimage to IHOP.

All I can say now is "Hail, Caesar!"



Opening night for Caesar



Kind of a zombie this morning. Not sure why. Yeah, yeah, tech week and all, but I've been leaving before 1AM each night, and I even got about a three-hour nap yesterday. I've been tired a lot lately, even though I've been mostly getting enough sleep, and I am dismayed at the dark circles under my eyes. :-P I don't feel sick or anything otherwise, but this constant tiredness this week is bugging me.

Opening night tonight for Julius Caesar. I'm not sure when photo call will be happening. Possibly before and after the show tonight, possibly tomorrow night. It's okay, I can be ready for either. My trusty shot list will be ready to go. Also, I will be filming the performance on Friday. Shall have to figure out the best location to set up the camera. I'm not exactly an expert at camcorder operation, but I can point it at the action well enough.

Third day of Caesar tech



Caesar tech week continues to go well. Last night was mostly devoted to light focus, which is a grindingly slow and tedious process by the time you get to all four electrics. I was a little grumbly over this (though it was absolutely no one's fault and everyone was working very hard) because I wanted the run to start so I could watch it for my photo call planning, and I needed to leave by midnight. Still, things were getting done nicely, and eventually the show got running. Last night I watched the first half of the show for the first time before I had to leave. In order to run an efficient photo call, I took notes on what scenes needing snapping when, with what people, and in what costume.

So many great things going on up there. First off, the acting is phenomenal. Everyone really sinks their teeth into their roles. I've said this before, but Plesser improves in technique, presence, and nuance with every show. I love Charlotte's committment to her roles, the way she assumes the persona of the character. I was so impressed not only by Steph's acting, but how she made me buy the Marc Antony role as a woman. Caitlin had so much fantastic attitude. I adore the subtle force and slyness of April's performance. Zanna brought an unexpected but very effective strength and presence to Calpurnia, and I enjoyed the passion and even slight sternness of Gigi's Portia. And, of course, Frances and Brenda not only were great alone, they played off one another so well. I was very impressed by Frances's finding an alternate way of conveying Brutus's intensity without resorting to restless energy, which made a great contrast to the roiling anger Brenda brought Cassius.

The set looks fantastic, one of the best sets HTP has ever had, in my humble opinion. The marbling effect on the platforms is gorgeous, and the curtains are awesome. They not only serve for an interesting vertical addition to the aesthetic, they effectively divide the stage into useful smaller sections, and they can have color thrown on them from the lights. And when this show's over, they can be folded up and stored for any other show to use, ready to go and free of cost.

The costumes look amazing. They were very skillfully designed and look good on the actors. And they are all in dark, bold colors that contrast beautifully with the light-colored stage behind them. I was impressed by Shana's ability to emulate the look of the period so well.

The one thing that needs a little work is the level of movement onstage. Probably because they were used to rehearsing in spaces significantly more cramped than the actual stage, there's a lot of standing around and speechifying happening. It makes it look a bit flat. But they're aware it's going on, and I'm confident they can figure out how to utilize the beautiful space around them to create a more dynamic look. Most of the elements are so good that if they can just get over this one hurdle, they'll be golden.

I am now going to organized my notes for photo call. I wish I could have gotten the second act in order as well, but I couldn't stay late enough. Ah, well, I can do that during the run tonight. I want things to go as quickly as possible, so I plan to wow everyone with my awesome efficiency. ;-)

Second day of Caesar build

Spent most of yesterday helping out some more with Caesar build. Had a nice lunch with Jared after work, then the two of us drove over to the theater, where he sat and did homework until class and I pitched in with the various tasks of establishing the stage. Strike evidently went fairly well but very late, so when I arrived the platforms were positioned onstage but not much else. I participated in the anchoring of the platforms, fronting them, painting them, helping to hang and fireproof the curtains, and various other small tasks that tech week requires. We got a ton of work done, and despite some snags-- and there are always snags --the show is progressing well and is starting to look the way it's supposed to.

Perhaps because I've always primarily been an actor, I always admire the techies for how much knowledge and skill they have in the processes of putting a show together. Brenda, for example, was just amazing organizing the lighting over the last couple of nights, and I was really impressed by her command. But for all that I don't know nearly as much as the real crew people, I have learned a decent amount about technical theater myself in my time with Hold Thy Peace. Not being a current student, I can't use the saws or any of the dangerous tools anymore due to liability, but over the course of the last four years I was taught how to handle a fair number of them. Thinking back over ten shows at Brandeis, I learned how to:

- use a screw gun
- build a platform
- top a platform
- leg a platform
- anchor platforms to the stage and each other
- prepare a platform to be fronted
- front a platform
- tie various knots
- hang stage curtains
- properly move and brace a ladder
- use spackle
- use an electric sander
- use a circular saw
- make a cut block
- use gaff tape
- use spike tape
- use paint rollers
- paint a number of scenic effects
- use the headsets

Wow. I'm impressed with myself for how much I've absorbed just by helping to crew the shows I was in. And many of us can do even more. Others know how to run the fly rails, hang the lights, drop colors, run the light and sound boards. Wanting to be able to be capable in as many theatrical capacities as possible, it makes me wish I knew more. Especially if it can inform my ability to direct plays.

When it comes to my own theatrical productions I tend to take a very auteur approach, wanting to express my vision for the show in as many aspects of it as I can. While directing I have designed sets, costumes, sound, and other things, but the one thing I've never dared attempt on my own was lighting because I just never knew enough about it. It seems very complicated to me as I watch hangs and focuses and board operation. I guess one of the reasons I was so impressed by Brenda was she was getting a job done that has always seemed overwhelmingly difficult and specialized to me. It's probably not beyond me to learn, but I'm not sure it's something I'll ever really get the chance to study. Maybe I should make a point of that.

So things are going well. Focus is tonight, if I remember correctly, and then things should be in pretty decent shape to rehearse, cue the show, and run tech-throughs. I won't be able to get there until later tonight, but I plan to watch the run through this evening and take notes on scenes and their cast composition. I was asked by Lenny and Jenna to run photo call, and that will likely be easiest if I can write up a schedule for it. Hmm. Maybe I should make sure my camera is charged, just in case.

Weekend of theater in various capacities

As I mentioned in Google Buzz, this past weekend held much theater for me to execute-- planning a piece, building a set, and seeing a show.

The piece I helped to plan was for the performance part of morethings5*'s post-bac show. We figured out in more detail the choreography and the direction of the piece, and threw around some ideas for costumes and makeup. The idea is that we will do a silent series of actions related to the pieces of visual art he's displaying to tell a connected story. I'm very excited, it should be really interesting. We plan to do a rehearsal of sorts in some public space, as Jonathan feels audience reaction is extremely important. The real show will go up Wednesday, April 14th from 5 to 7PM in the Dreitzer Gallery, the art gallery in the lobby of the Spingold Theater. It should be interesting and offbeat, and I suggest you come see Kindness's art, and me, in it.

This weekend we also got a lot of the set built for Julius Caesar. I have to say, this was the most efficient and most pleasant build I've ever been on. The core group of HTP by now has had several show's worth of experience constructing sets, particularly platforms, and with just some instruction this cast put together seven perfect platforms in just three hours. Bernie is a good leader and organizer, and the cast just worked so well together. After how tough the tech week was for the previous mainstage show, it was quite a validation that we could pull it off so smoothly. Last night was strike for the HTG show that went up this past weekend, which I could not attend, and I wonder how it went. It had to start very late due to the unusual Sunday evening time of the show. I'll be going back over to help today, though, after lunch with Jared. I hope there is more I can do to help, and that things continue as well as they began.

Finally, the show we saw was the Actor's Shakespeare Project's production of Othello, organized by katiescarlett29* for her boyfriend Walter's birthday. It was a very nice group we went with, consisting mostly of awesome Hold Thy Peace members. One thing that I've noticed recently is this is the first generation of Hold Thy Peace that I've been witness to where pretty much everyone in the group is friends and spends time together outside of the group. I mean, previous generations have certainly liked each other, but their main connection to one other was that they were all in Hold Thy Peace, and they weren't particularly social outside of it. I like how now everyone is actually friends who enjoy spending time together. Jared and I had a very nice time being together and being with friends. The show itself was good, if a bit long; my back and knees were starting to get stiff by the end of it. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Iago was played by Ken Cheeseman, an artist-in-residence at Emerson and my brother Casey's teacher. If I remember correctly, Casey is a TA for him. His Iago was very good, though perhaps a little bit more comedic than I'm used to, and I enjoyed him.

The rest of this week will be Caesar-devoted. I am planning on helping out as much as I can with build, and I've also agreed to run photo call and operate the camera to film the show during one of the performances. Should be busy, but I am resolving not to stay too late, and to just do as much as I can without messing up my schedule. :-) The show runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8PM in the Shapiro Theater, if anyone is inclined to see it. I myself will be attending all three performances, and I'd enjoy the company. I have yet to see any of the show as I didn't want to spoil myself, but everyone feels good about it, and it promises to be a good piece.

Signed on to the Caesar build crew

This morning I saw two cardinals flitting after one another; they were so pretty and bright. I guess spring is actually here now. Redbirds always make me think of my grandmother; they were her favorite and her kitchen was decorated with images of them.

I have agreed to help out with build for Julius Caesar. Next week is their tech, and my schedule happens to be fairly light then, so I feel like it would be nice of me to offer a hand and support Hold Thy Peace. Also, Bernie has so much on his plate as technical director that I want to make sure he has the help he needs. I won't be staying til the wee hours, what with the doing them a favor and the having the job in the morning and all, but maybe if one more person helps out, things will get done earlier.

The set consists of wooden platforms and white muslin curtains that will go from the flies to the floor on the stage. I'm not exactly sure what the final configuration will look like, but I like the idea. Bernie has made a pretty careful plan, so I'm hoping to help make sure it gets executed. Today he and I are driving out to Home Depot to pick up the last few necessary bits of hardware. The curtains are being sewn by a group assembled by the show's costume designer Shana. Brian Melcher has promised to bring back the purchased wood. We're planning on getting into the theater shop this coming weekend to start a little early on getting things together. I should have some time Friday before I'm going out with my brother and my dad, and on Saturday it shouldn't take so much time to get to Othello that I'm not available for some period beforehand.

I kind of like build, honestly. I like making things, putting stuff together, and there's a real feeling of camaraderie when everyone's working hard together to assemble their show. I quit liking it when things start going past midnight, of course, but in the beginning at least it's a pretty cool feeling. :-)

A song based on the show

Perhaps because of the rain finally letting up, or perhaps because I am sipping a lovely cup of my newly restocked pretenious chai blend from Teavana, I am feeling light in spirits today. This has translated to my being quite productive this morning, which pleases me immensely and makes me feel even better.

Yesterday was a nice day despite the rain. I went with Bernie to run some errands for Caesar; among other places we hit the fabric store, which I always enjoy going to because of all the neat little notions. My dad is in town for work, so afterward he, my brother, his girlfriend, and myself all went out to dinner at the Union Street Oyster House. I've always loved that place, the seafood is fantastic. Jared sadly could not join us, but it was a nice time anyway. Afterward I attended the Hold Thy Peace coffeehouse for Julius Caesar, which Jared had organized and was emceeing. It was a lovely time spent with friends and HTPers showcasing their talents. The highlight of the evening for me was the guitar playing of Jonathan Plesser. It turns out he's a talented songwriter, who not only composed a hilarious love song about typically awkward Brandeis social interactions, but also a beautiful song from the point of view of his character Damon in To Think of Nothing. I was incredibly touched that he was inspired by the show; it really meant a lot to mean to hear it. So thank you, Jonathan, for sharing that with me. :-)

Tonight-- chitons!

Last night Bernie and I went to the fabric store to find cloth to wrap the Graces in for chitons for To Think of Nothing. We found some nice muslin that would work appropriately, and it looks like we'll probably be able to repurposes it after the show for curtain material for Julius Caesar. We're also sharing makeup, which contributes to budgetary restraint. I plan on messing around with the fabric today to figure out how I want the chitons to look, then taking it with me to rehearsal tonight. It's going to be all about the Graces; we're going to be working on synchronicity of movement, body position, and timing with them, as well as what I hope will be the final fitting of them into their costumes. I shall be sure to bring plenty of safety pins.

Hmm. Says it's supposed to start snowing by ten. If that's the case, I hope it stays light until after one when I get out of work. I hate driving on slippery roads; not being able to brake properly terrifies me.

Caesar cast, now begins the scheduling dance

Julius Caesar cast list is now out. But for one pair of actors I had swapped, I completely concurred with Lenny and Jenna's final decision, and even if that one pair didn't go where I would have put them, it is a fine casting. I am eeeeever so slightly annoyed, however, that they elected to put their read-through smack dab after my Sunday rehearsal. I understand that they want to get going as quick as they can, but they'd given me the impression that they would be holding it Monday. I specifically did not schedule my weekday full-cast rehearsal for Monday just so they could have complete access to the actors we share, even though I would have preferred Monday to Thursday, which then seemed like the only time I could get everyone. And they asked if I could let the shared actors go a bit early so they could arrive to the read through on time. I'm not delighted with that, as I wanted to make sure we finished learning the blocking by the end of that night, and I don't appreciate the cutoff time. *Sigh* Ah, well, it'll be fine. We'll just have to make sure we're efficient, and in the future I will know I can choose Monday rather than Thursday.

I knew scheduling between the two of our shows was going to be bothersome when we began. As things go, this isn't too bad. We'll make it work. It's very important, I think, to everyone involved that both shows be the best they can be.

Brain drippy today

Feeling rather... unfocused today. Having a hard time making myself get anything done at work, but since yesterday was pretty much a total wash for accomplishment, I really need to do better today.

For the last two nights I sat in on Julius Caesar auditions and gave Lenny and Jenna my opinion. A not-overlarge but solidly talented contingent came out for the show, I was pleased to see, and I made some suggestions as to possible placement in the cast. I don't feel the need to attend callbacks, though-- the final choice lies with Jenna and Lenny, and I've already given them my thoughts. Heh, with theater as with larping, I'm decently good at sizing someone up for a part fairly quickly. But I, like everyone else, shall be interested to see where things end up in the cast list.

I'm not sure what my plans will be for tonight. There is a Hold Thy Peace movie night happening, with for Dead Poet Society. I'm not a big fan, but I'd be willing to go if Jared wants me to come with him in. Otherwise I may just want to stay in. I need to continue working on my next character sheet due at the Labor Wars meeting next Tuesday. Also could do some more blocking. I also wouldn't mind just chilling tonight. Maybe de-stressing would take away some of my focus problems.

To Think of Nothing

I realized I never formally announced this on LJ, so here I go. Next semester I will be directing my own litle show, To Think of Nothing, as a side project for Hold Thy Peace. This is something I'd wanted to do for a while, and at the moment Hold Thy Peace has both the money and the interest to do it. It's an unusual little piece modeled after the Shakespearean style of speaking, taking place inside the thoughts of a playwright who is struggling with the problem that his current play has no point. I wrote it my freshman year for my brother's competitive theater troupe, any they won an award with it. Though it was amazing to see it put up, I always wanted to direct it myself and see what I could do with my own work. It will be going up alongside the mainstage show Julius Caesar, directed by Lenny Somervell and Jenna Schlags.

Auditions will be held on Tuesday the 17th and Thursday the 18th of November from 7-9PM. It's really flattering how many people are enthusiastic for the project. I'm hoping to get it cast by the end of that week, and then assign people to memorize their lines over winter break. We should be going up in the end of February, hopefully in the Merrick Black Box Theater in Spingold, if we can afford it.

I'm really excited, this is really a dream come true. :-)