It’s like the first day of school. With food.
The excitement is the same. The butterflies in your stomach. The anticipation of seeing old friends and meeting new people. There’s plenty of coffee and snacks – our wonderful stage manager Cheryl keeps everyone buzzed and happy with pastries, cookies - and fruit, of course. (We’re big on health here at the Roxy.)
We have a tradition at Theatre Network - borrowed from the Gods of Theatre - where cast, crew and the office team all gather in our intimate Roxy lobby on the first day. We introduce ourselves and state what we do on the play or for the company itself.
“I am Brad, and I am the Director of Michel & Ti-Jean.”
Next up, the Set Designer gives the first presentation. In this case, Cory Sincennes is actually the Production Designer, so he gives the Lighting and Costume Design presentations as well. Then our Sound Designer, Matthew Skopyk, reveals his approach, his sound palate and influences from the play. (Admission: During all of these presentations, I can never help myself from adding my two cents here and there. It’s just too tempting.) Then it’s my turn. I share my connection to the play, why we’re gathered and what we are attempting to create.
Next is an essential part of the morning - pee and smoke break. (And more snacks, obviously.)
And finally… we read the play! We turn off the phones and read the play amongst the sounds of street traffic, people walking in front of our door, tea being made, and the construction sounds of the set being built on stage. But amongst all of these distractions is the charm of reading the play aloud for the very first time. It truly is magic. And very often we can spend the entire rehearsal process working to get the same spark that we get during that first read.
This is my favourite day of the process.
The excitement is the same. The butterflies in your stomach. The anticipation of seeing old friends and meeting new people. There’s plenty of coffee and snacks – our wonderful stage manager Cheryl keeps everyone buzzed and happy with pastries, cookies - and fruit, of course. (We’re big on health here at the Roxy.)
We have a tradition at Theatre Network - borrowed from the Gods of Theatre - where cast, crew and the office team all gather in our intimate Roxy lobby on the first day. We introduce ourselves and state what we do on the play or for the company itself.
“I am Brad, and I am the Director of Michel & Ti-Jean.”
Next up, the Set Designer gives the first presentation. In this case, Cory Sincennes is actually the Production Designer, so he gives the Lighting and Costume Design presentations as well. Then our Sound Designer, Matthew Skopyk, reveals his approach, his sound palate and influences from the play. (Admission: During all of these presentations, I can never help myself from adding my two cents here and there. It’s just too tempting.) Then it’s my turn. I share my connection to the play, why we’re gathered and what we are attempting to create.
Next is an essential part of the morning - pee and smoke break. (And more snacks, obviously.)
And finally… we read the play! We turn off the phones and read the play amongst the sounds of street traffic, people walking in front of our door, tea being made, and the construction sounds of the set being built on stage. But amongst all of these distractions is the charm of reading the play aloud for the very first time. It truly is magic. And very often we can spend the entire rehearsal process working to get the same spark that we get during that first read.
This is my favourite day of the process.
