jesus christ superstar

Move in yesterday.  Fucking finally.  Our space.  Our real space. Our world.  No more qualifying comments, "when we move in to DHS......"  Done. Over.

Load in was, dare I say, amusing.  Aside from the scaffolding, raked bridge, raked platforms (the bones of the set), and the props, we should be good, right?

Oh hell no.

Again...a surprise designer challenge was thrown to the cast. ("Designnnnnners.  Make it work.")

What the hell was all this extra stuff?  All this metal shit?  All this aluminum siding.  All these...whatever the hell they are.  And by "extra stuff" I mean a shit load.

After lunch (and some cocktails) at c-dubs...g-dubs...z-dubs (not sure what it is), the cast was called again at 2.

For what?  "The set is done, Jesse.  Jesus Christ Superstar...what are you making us do next?"

We reconvened.  The "extra" (but TOTES necessary) "stuff" were the items they were about to use to create their space.  Yes.  They create. Their stuff.  Their space.

And...cut to the usual eye-rolling...everyone off their ass (except Cole who is NEVER on his ass....shout out, duder, you're a-mahzing).  Let's go go go. 5-6-7-8.

The next two hours were so surreal.  The cast knows the show.  What we need when and where.  Given the tools and that knowledge, they got up and got started.

I totally sat back.  Didn't answer ANY questions that were asked.  They figured that out, stopped asking, and...made it work.

Not ONLY did they make it work; they created one of the most personal and connected spaces. Ever.
I was horrified as they started.  But then heard the cast begin to mention all the logistics.

"I have to enter here.."
"We need extra space for 'Contact' here."
"What about the vendors?"
"Wow dude. Creative."
"I think it needs to be off center...force the perspective."

At the end of the day, set completed.  An 8 hour move in day (with a 2 hour break between) ending with a (wink wink) nearly complete set.  A sight to behold. Raw. Grit. Beauty. I sat back after they were done and just stared for at least an hour.  NO amount of chemicals could have created what I was feeling.  None.  Which, if you know me well enough...wait. Filter, Jesse.  Future employers could read this.  Let's just say that empowering the team to take available resources and complete freedom yields positive results.  (I'll expand in interviews future employers...)

Sitzprobe today.  My FAVORITE (of the many) moments in the process.  Such a kick-ass band.  James Jones?  Aaron Bouslog?  Creighton Cole? Jan Voorhees? Belinda?  Off-the-chain Marty?  I'm not gonna lie and say they aren't the best around.  They are.  And talk about re-connections.  Jan Voorhees and I haven't worked together in this context in over 15 years.

We're all lucky.  Till tomorrow.  The excitement for afternoon sorta gives me a boner.

Sorry for the abrupt ending...I have..um...to run to Royal Donut.

Bluntly,
Brigadude

Harvest

My head is swimming.

I, like everyone in our show, am crazy busy.

But I have to take a moment and share my feelings based on rehearsal last night.

Getting a show on its feet is not easy. At all. And, strictly based on my past experiences directing, RENT is a particular challenge.

Given our approach.  Given the wall-to-wall musical score.  Given it's not a carbon copy of Michael Grief's original and now iconic Broadway staging.

The weeks of wood-shedding, piece meal blocking, organic orgasms and created community are now a reality.  And, at a certain point, every community changes.  Not in a bad way. But individual dynamics emerge that change the warmth to various and other essential vibes.  

Here's what I see:

• serious commitment
• confusion
• frustration
• beauty
• discoveries
• going there
• accountability
• worry
• hope
• apathy
• clusterfucks
• terror
• tears
• erections
• black fabric
• life

That shit is community in the true sense.  It's collaboration and compromise.  

And, clearly, it's where we all need to be right now.  I can't explain why.  

I may not be every community member's favorite person right now.  Fine.  I'm good with that.  I may (and have) missed deadlines.  That's life.  I may (and have) pushed individual buttons.  That's life.  I may (and have) high expectations.  That's me.  And worth it; based on my perspective last night.

It's harvest time...in every sense.  Here's where the community kool-aid  kicks in.  The list above, the ego-maniacal paragraph above...proof positive that our amahzing dysfunctional group is dealing.  Coping and adjusting.  Enjoying and understanding the process.

Many cast members have never been in a show. Loves. The harvest (in various contexts) is not easy.  But the crop, well it's some dank and tasty shit.  

Get ready cast, audience, and all involved to pack your bowls and harsh your mellow.  

It's harvest time.