taglines - theatre arts guild

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Page 1 TAGLines The Newsletter of the Theatre Arts Guild, Inc. – June 2010 Jim Martin, President Cathy Hirsch, Chair/Editor www.theatreartsguild.com TAG N IGHT O UT None announced at the time of publishing _________________________ T HIS I SSUE On Stage News The Green Room / Auditions Other Good Stuff Q/A Series Theatre Planning Calendar __________________________ N EW M EMBERS Katherine Hogston Jodi L Taylor Final Laps By Jim Martin, President Recent coverage of the Nebraska state track meet reminded me that the 2009-2010 theatre season is entering its final laps. That’s not to say there’s not still some great stuff coming; summer months no longer automatically mean dark stages. It’s been an amazing year: touching drama – laugh-out-loud comedy – exciting song and dance. I hope TAG members got out as much as time and money allowed (bless those TAG Nights Out!), feeding the appetite we all have for live theatre in all its forms in the metro Omaha area. This month, in addition to this regular issue of TAGLines posted online, we are printing and mailing a Special Awards Edition to our entire membership. The Awards program, of course, is only one of the activities our organization does. Last month, we announced scholarships for four graduating high school seniors. We recently provided Theatre Arts Grant funds to help a member attend a dramaturgy conference in Canada. In February, TAG helped sponsor workshops at the Theatre Expo introducing area students to potential theatre-related jobs/careers. TAGLines itself keeps us aware on a monthly basis of shows and activities of interest to lovers of live theatre. The Awards program is preparing for its own final laps. Nominating ballots will be mailed very soon. Likewise, invitations to the Awards Night gala. Sunday, July 11, is Nominations Night when we learn the nominees for outstanding achievement in 30 categories. Then on Sunday, August 15,we learn the results of the final balloting while we mingle with theatre colleagues and friends, celebrating the season just past. The race is not over, but remember: we ALL win when live theatre thrives in Omaha.

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Page 1: TAGLines - Theatre Arts Guild

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TAGLines T h e N ew s l e t t e r o f t h e T h e a t r e A r t s G u i l d , I n c . – J u n e 2 0 1 0

J i m M a r t i n , P r e s i d e n t C a t h y H i r s c h , C h a i r / E d i t o r w w w . t h e a t r e a r t s g u i l d . c o m

TAG

N I G H T

O U T None announced at the time of

publishing

_________________________

T H I S I S S U E On Stage News

The Green Room / Auditions

Other Good Stuff

Q/A Series

Theatre Planning Calendar

__________________________

N EW

M EM B E R S

Katherine Hogston

Jodi L Taylor

Final Laps By Jim Martin, President

Recent coverage of the Nebraska state track meet reminded me that the 2009-2010 theatre season is entering its final laps. That’s not to say there’s not still some great stuff coming; summer months no longer automatically mean dark stages. It’s been an amazing year: touching drama – laugh-out-loud comedy – exciting song and dance. I hope TAG members got out as much as time and money allowed (bless those TAG Nights Out!), feeding the appetite we all have for live theatre in all its forms in the metro Omaha area. This month, in addition to this regular issue of TAGLines posted online, we are printing and mailing a Special Awards Edition to our entire membership. The Awards program, of course, is only one of the activities our organization does. Last month, we announced scholarships for four graduating high school seniors. We recently provided Theatre Arts Grant funds to help a member attend a dramaturgy conference in Canada. In February, TAG helped sponsor workshops at the Theatre Expo introducing area students to potential theatre-related jobs/careers. TAGLines itself keeps us aware on a monthly basis of shows and activities of interest to lovers of live theatre. The Awards program is preparing for its own final laps. Nominating ballots will be mailed very soon. Likewise, invitations to the Awards Night gala. Sunday, July 11, is Nominations Night when we learn the nominees for outstanding achievement in 30 categories. Then on Sunday, August 15,we learn the results of the final balloting while we mingle with theatre colleagues and friends, celebrating the season just past. The race is not over, but remember: we ALL win when live theatre thrives in Omaha.

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On Stage NewsSnap Productions presents Loose Knit

Through June 20

Loose Knit is playwright Theresa Rebeck’s clever, comic tale of relationships, expectations, disappointments and betrayal, with a bit of mayhem thrown in for good measure. The play revolves around a group of New York professionals who labor under the mistaken impression that knitting is a relaxing pastime for stressed out lifestyles. Things begin to unravel quickly and humorously as all the relationships become a tangled mess and each individual confronts his or her own life questions--what is it to be an American, to be black, wealthy, poor, faithful, closeted, etc. in the never ending human quest for fulfillment. M. Michele Phillips directs Matt Allen, Emily J.Thompson, David Mainelli, Shannon Jaxies and Ashley Spessard as well as Laura Leininger and Chelsea Long. SNAP! is pleased to have on its production staff Adam Nathan (Set Design), Brian Callaghan (Lights & Sound Operator/Props), Homero Vela (Lighting Design), Gina Wagner (Stage Manager/Props), Nancy Ross (Costumes) and Liz Heim (Costume Design). The show will run from May 27 – June 20, 2010 at 3225 California Street. Curtain times are 8:00 pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 6:00 pm on Sundays. The Sunday, June 20th show will start at 2:00 pm. There will be a special signed performance for the hearing impaired on June 6, 2010.

The Rose Theater presents Disney’s High School Musical 2 June 4-20

Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay and the rest of the Wildcat gang will return for a fun-loving, fabulous sequel. Featuring a cast of 45 and acclaimed New York director Rob Urbinati, the show will be presented on The Rose mainstage, 2001 Farnam Street, downtown Omaha, with performances at 7 p.m. every Friday; 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday; as well as 7 p.m. Thursday, June 10 and 17. The production is recommended for ages 6 to adult and will run 120 minutes with intermission. Tickets are $25 (main floor seating) or $20 (balcony seating) and may be purchased at The Rose Box Office, by calling (402) 4849 or online at www.rosetheater.org.

Omaha Community Playhouse presents Fiddler on the Roof Through June 27

A timeless classic of the musical theatre, Fiddler on the Roof centers on events in an impoverished Jewish village in Czarist Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. Tevye is a poor milkman, the father of five daughters, attempting to maintain his family and religious traditions in the face of great social upheaval all around him. The play includes the musical classics “Tradition,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” Susan Baer Collins directs, with Steve Priesman as Stage Manager. Mark Thornburg plays Tevye and Sally Neumann Scamfer is Golde. The cast includes Tim Abou-Nasr, Gary Bosanek, Daniel Caligiuri, Scot Caniglia, Leanne Hill Carlson, Elizabeth Doty, Ryan Eberhart,

Ryan Fuller, Deborah Gibbons, Gary Gibbons, Kent Hanon, Ian Hill, Dianne Jones, Connor Ketcham, Patrick Kilcoyne, Steve Krambeck, Megan McGuire, Andrew Miner, Zoey Newman, Jenny Priesman, Marion Priesman, Judy Radcliff, Maddie Radcliff, Isaac Reilly, Tyler Roberts, Christina Rohling, Marie Rohling, Paul Schneider, Michael Shelton, Emilio Sotelo, Courtney Stein, Ashton Taylor, Marty Wolff, and Joseph Wright. Performances run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM. There is no evening performance on Sunday, June 27th. Tickets are $38.00 for adults and $24.00 for students. Mention that you’re a TAG member for a $10 discount; show your membership card when picking up your ticket. Call the Box Office ticket line at 402-553-0800 (toll free 888-782-4338); or visit the OCP web site at www.omahaplayhouse.com.

Wilson Performing Arts Center presents Wizard of Oz June 18 – 27

Toto and Dorothy are landing at the Wilson Performing Arts Center in Red Oak, Iowa June 18 - 20 and 25 - 27. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz is directed by Stan Orton. A special TAG discount will be offered on Friday, June 18 with a $10 ticket for all TAG members.

The Omaha Community Playhouse Presents Rock Legends: People’s Choice

June 23 – 30

Billy McGuigan is familiar to Omaha audiences from the 2002 smash hit The Buddy Holly Story, five annual presentations of Rave On! (a tribute to the music of Buddy Holly), and three years (so far) of Yesterday and Today: An Interactive Beatles Experience. Now, Billy returns with the show he introduced at The Playhouse last year, Rock Legends: People’s Choice, featuring the music of audience-chosen rock legends. Classic musical favorites from the top vote-getters will be performed for that show’s audience, thus each show is unique. Choices include Elton John; Billy Joel; Paul McCartney; Tom Petty; The Doors; Buddy Holly; Pink Floyd; and The Rolling Stones. The show performs Wednesday through Satrdays at 7:30 PM; Sundays at 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM. All seats are reserved and cost $38 (includes tax). Call the Playhouse Box Office at (402) 553-0800 or toll-free (888) 782-4338 or visit the web site at www.omahaplayhouse.com.

Broadstreet Theatre presents Little Women – The Musical June 18-July 3

The story, based on the classic novel, follows the adventures of the March sisters - Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy – as they grow up in Civil War America with their mother, Marmee. Todd Brooks directs Amanda Miller, Dan Chevalier, Sarah Porter, Amanda Rounds, Laura Wilwerding, Virginia Kincaid, Randy Vest, Rachael Schnitker, Matt Hemingway, and John Jones. Mary Carrick produces, with Linda Shirck, music director and choreography by Patrick Roddy. (Continued)

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On Stage News/The Green Room

(Little Women, Continued)

Stage manager; JoAnn Goodhew; Costumes: Lindsay Pape; Lighting: Ernie Gubbels; Set: Todd Brooks; Props: Melissa Linn; Sound & Sound Board: Dave Podendorf; Sound Consultant: Jeff Lively; Set Dressing: Liz Heim and Nancy Ross; Light Board: Dan Baye; Stage Crew: Lisa McNeil. Performances of the Omaha Metro area premier are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Bellevue Little Theatre located at 203 W. Mission Ave. in Bellevue. Tickets are $15 adults and $13 for seniors and students. For tickets, call (402) 344-3257 or purchase online at www.BroadStreetTheatre.com.

Bluebarn Theatre presents Rabbit Hole June 10 – July 3

Susan Clement-Toberer directs David Lindsay-Abaire’s award-winning script. Alternately sad and funny, Rabbit Hole is a deeply human look at one family’s attempts to come to terms with the impossible and emerge stronger than before. Amy Lane and Matthew Pyle play the roles of “Becca” and “Howie.” MaryBeth Adams and Jordan Rudningen are cast in the roles of “Nat” and “Jason.” Erika Zadina rounds out the cast as “Izzy.” Rabbit Hole showcases costumes by Jenny Pool, scenic design by Martin Scott Marchitto, lighting design by Carol Wisner, with original music composed by David Murphy. Shows run Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, June 20th and 27th at 6 p.m. There will be a post performance discussion following the show on Sunday June 20th at the KANEKO-UNO Library. Thursday, June 17 will showcase BLUEBARN’s Witching Hour in lieu of a Rabbit Hole performance. Ticket prices are $25 for adults; and $20 for students, TAG members, seniors 65+, and groups of 10 or more.

The Green Room River City Mixed Chorus presents A Comedy Tonight June 12 – 13 The concert will be held at Strauss Performing Arts Center at UNO. Mark Kurtz, the chorus Music Director, has said “the goal of this show is to make it as funny as we possibly can.” Songs will include P.D.Q. Bach, a selection from Monty Python's hit Broadway show “Spamalot”, many other hilarious oddities of music- even a concerto that will bring out the chicken in everyone, as well as an entire “serious” piece about cheese! Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and $15 for Seniors and Students with a valid I.D.

Shakespeare on the Green presents Two Gentlemen of Verona (the Musical) and Romeo & Juliet June 24 – July 11

In Two Gentlemen of Verona Proteus and Valentine are the best of friends until Proteus also falls for the new object of Valentine's affections: Silvia. Forsaking his own betrothed, Julia, Proteus sets out to betray his unsuspecting friend, only to find that both Silvia and

Julia have a thing or two to teach him about loyalty and love. Presented June 24-27, July 8, 10. In Romeo & Juliet the houses of Montague and Capulet are sworn enemies. When Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, fall in love they do not know whom each other is. They marry in secret, while the feud rages. When Romeo's friend Mercutio is killed by Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, Romeo in turn kills Tybalt. He is banished from Verona, while Juliet's family plan to marry her to someone else. Friar Lawrence hatches a plan to reunite the lovers, but messages are crossed and they are driven to their deaths instead. Presented July 1-4, 9, 11. The free performances take place in Elmwood Park, just South of UNO’s Bell Tower at 64th & Dodge. www.nebraskashakespeare.com for information.

And waiting in the wings … Ralston Community Theatre presents Hair July 2 – 18

The Omaha Community Playhouse presents Defending the Caveman July 7 – August 1

Papillion-La Vista Community Theatre presents

The Sound of Music July 8 - 17

Shelterbelt Theatre presents Mountain Birds

July 8 – August 1

Skullduggery Theatre presents Brick: An A Capella Musical July 8 – August 1

Auditions & More Auditions SNAP! Productions will be holding auditions for the comedy Sordid Lives at North Side Christian Church located at 5555 Larimore (2 blocks north of Ames) on June 5 and 6, 2010 and will begin at 7:00 pm. The play contains roles for 6 females who can play mid 30’s to 60. It also requires a female in her late twenties who can play the guitar. The play also needs 4 men who can play 40’s. There is also one role for a 20-something male. The show runs from August 19 – September 12 with rehearsals starting in July. Be ready to read from the script and have your conflicts for July 5 thru September 12, 2010 available. Any questions, please call Todd Brooks at 968-5543 or email at [email protected].

Auditions for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of King Arthur’s Quest will be held on Monday, June 14, 2010 from 10am to 12pm at the Lofte Community Theatre near Manley. There are roles for students entering 1st grade through 7th grade. Those wishing to audition must arrive by 10am and be prepared to stay for the whole

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The GreenRoom two-hour session. The first rehearsal begins 15-30 minutes after auditions. There will be two public performances on Saturday, June 19th. The first is at 3pm, the second at 6pm. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12. More information about King Arthur’s Quest can be found on the Lofte’s website, www.Lofte.com.

The Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Co announces auditions for their 18th season. Auditions for Shakespeare’s Julius Ceaser will be held June 14 & 15, while auditions for Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People are June 21 & 22. Auditions will consist of selected readings from the script and will be held at 7:00pm at the Downtown Space in the Old Market (614 S. 11th Street). For more information visit www.bsbtheatre.com.

John Beasley Theater announces new season auditions for the upcoming season: For Colored Girls... (Ntozake Shange) King Hedley II (August Wilson) East Texas Hot Links (Eugene Lee) Auditions will be on Saturday June 26th at 11:00 am. Sides will be provided. Please call 402-502-5767 or e-mail [email protected] to sign up.

TADA Productions will hold auditions for the murder mystery comedy Bard of Blood. Casting slots begins in May and June. Please email acting resumes and headshots to [email protected] . Due to actor response from the outside the Nebraska area, slots will be made for local actors as well as actors from other cities. More about the show can be found on-line at www.tadatheatre.info.

& Other Good Stuff Chanticleer Community Theater will be doing a Children's Theater Workshop starting May 22 and running through June 26. Workshop runs from 9:00 to 11:30 on Saturday mornings, with 44 young aspiring actors between the ages of 7 - 15. A performance will be held on the final Saturday for family and friends of the participants. June 28 will be the Chanticleer Annual Dinner. Bob Knox and Dwayne Ibsen will be inducted into the Chanticleer Hall of Fame at the meeting and dinner being held at the Pizza King. Scholarships will also be awarded at that time. Chanticleer will give 4 - $ 400.00 scholarships at the dinner. Scholarship recipients are: Michelle Boy, Kylene Carlson, Rose Daugherty and Kris Rutz. Bellevue Little Theatre's Announces 42nd Season The Bellevue Little Theatre, announces its 42nd season, opening in Sept. 2010: Mame musical Sept 10-26 Philadelphia Story comedy Nov 5-21 Leading Ladies comedy Jan 21-Feb 6 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels new musical Mar 18-April 3 The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery comedy May 13-29 Season tickets are, essentially, a punch card, which may be used for

one admission or for multiple admissions to one particular production. An adult season admission ticket is $60, and a senior ticket for those 60 and over is $50. The theatre also offers silver patron tickets, with two additional tickets for $100 and a gold patron ticket with 3 additional tickets for $120. Those interested in purchasing season tickets may call Toni Menear at 292-4391 or the BLT at 291-1554 BLT Fireworks Bellevue Little Theatre will be selling fireworks again over the July 4th holiday. We need volunteers to help Curtis Leach in the booth. This is a major fundraiser for the BLT. We offer 'flexible hours' and a 'generous discount on fireworks' to all those helping out. We will be located in front of the No Frills Supermarket on Ft. Crook Rd., the same location as last year. If you are interested, you may email Curtis at [email protected] or reply thru the web site BellevueLittleTheatre.com.

Q & A Discussion Series Costume Design By Debbie Krambeck

Next in line in the articles featuring the TAG Awards’ technical categories is costume design. Our two experts are Nancy Ross (NR), who is a two-time TAG award winner for costume design (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, Kiss of the Spider Woman) and vintage clothing extraordinaire, and Jenny Pool (JP), who has studied costume design at UNO and been designing costumes for various production companies around Omaha for years. TAG: What brought you to the world of costume design? What about it keeps you there? NR: I have always loved costumes since going to the movies and watching the credits for costume design. My favorite was Edith Head. I started designing clothes back in junior high for fun. I attended Simpson College where I had a double major in Home Economics and Art, which was as close as I could get to costume design. My daughter, Laura Marr, and her husband, Doug Marr, started the Diner Theatre in 1983. It was Laura that asked me to do costumes and props. That was 27 years ago. I have been designing costumes for SNAP! Productions since their first production Bent in 1993. I keep doing it because I enjoy it so much and feel like it’s a way for me to give back to the community while still doing something I love. JP: Honestly, I don't know what got me started. I have always loved theatre and as a major at UNO I did work study in the costume shop, so that would be where it officially started, but I've always sewn, my mom taught me when I was 8, and I crafted and just... made stuff. When I was little it was crucial to me that everyone knew what they were wearing in the pretend world we were creating, before actual pretending could start.... so really I've always been a costume designer. I stick around because it's always new. If one project is boring

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Q & A Discussion Series or hard, the next one will be totally different. Or if you didn't get to do this great idea you had, you can tuck it in the back of your mind, because eventually, you'll find a time to use it. Even the craziest idea gets used sometime down the line. TAG: When finding and creating costumes for a production, what are the most important things a designer needs to consider? NR: Do the costumes reflect the period of the show? This is something that is very important to me. If the costumes are not in period, I will not work on the show. Do the costumes go with the set? The costumes and set should work together. Do the costumes fit the actors? Do the costumes reflect the storyline of the play? JP: Well, partly it's determining the answer to that question. What I mean is, that it's so different for each show that it's rarely the same thing. But really the most important thing is to ask yourself what you can do to help tell the story, and how can you help the audience have the experience that the director or production team as a whole has decided they are to have. TAG: Out of all the costume designs you have created in your career, which one has been the most rewarding and why? NR: Kiss of the Spider Woman and I Am My Own Wife – I worked on Kiss of the Spider Woman with Ron Osborne. Because it was more of an eerie-themed show, we were able to have a bit more “play” with the costumes. The show opened around Halloween, and we were able to find some really fun fabrics, like spider-netting. My favorite fabric from the show was an olive green fabric that appeared to be almost moldy. We were also able to use a 1920s coat from my collection. I always enjoy using the vintage pieces in shows. I also enjoyed I Am My Own Wife as the dress had to fit a man, but allow him to move in and out of many different characters quickly, which was a challenge. JP: There really isn't one answer for that. I was very proud of Seascape. It was my first free-lance job, so I was really testing the limits of what I could do in my basement, without a full shop behind me. And for them to have been so well received, it was a real confidence booster, and I needed that at the time. Reefer Madness is another one I am proud of. That was a costuming marathon, that show has SO MANY costumes! I had some great help, but again, I was testing the limits of what I was capable of, still working out the basement, managing myself, and keeping track of those projects I had delegated out. My favorites in terms of the visual impact they had on the show, and drawing the audience into the world of the play would be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and most recently Venus at IWCC. I really designed those shows, not just costumed them. So I have a top four. TAG: Imagine you are sitting down to fill out a TAG ballot. What types of things would you consider in determining the top costume designs of the year? NR: Do the costumes fit the palette of the show? The costumes and the set should almost be like a painting and work well together. I also try to consider the resources available to the designer and how those resources were used to achieve the end product, whether it’s vintage or modern. JP: Did the costumes serve the play? Sometimes beautifully made costumes are not "good" costumes because they distract from the play, or they are clearly pretty for pretty's sake. Did they go along

with the general aesthetic of the rest of the design elements? Is it a full set of costumes, or did the designer pick a favorite character, or actor, and make them look good and ignore the rest? We all have our favorites... but an audience member shouldn't be able to pick out which one it is. TAG: What’s the one thing you believe every single person should know about costume design? NR: It isn’t as simple as it looks. It takes time and patience to first find the clothes, which can be difficult, especially when vintage items are required, and then make sure they fit the actors and the show. Costumes are just as important as all other aspects of the show - if there were no costumes, there wouldn’t be much of a show. JP: Contemporary realistic designs (in other words dressing people like they would dress in real life) is JUST as hard, and in some cases harder, than elaborate period or artistic designs. It's not a "fun" job. It's something much bigger and more complex and frustrating and exhilarating and, ultimately, rewarding than something that was just "fun" ever could be.

Lighting Design By Debbie Krambeck Up next in our series of the TAG Awards’ technical categories is lighting design. Our two experts are Tom Reardon (TR), who is a three-time TAG award winner for lighting design (The Rainmaker, Wait Until Dark, The Grass Harp) and Liz Kendall (LK), who is currently the Technical Director for the Theatre Arts Department at Omaha South. Both have been designing lights for various production companies around Omaha for years. TAG: When you are first presented with a script, how do you go about determining what the lighting scheme will be for the production? What are the general steps a light designer goes through? TR: I usually like to read a script through three times before talking to anyone else. My first read-through of a script is fairly fast – I’m looking for the plot overview and the general emotional content of the work. The second read is a much more detailed read, looking at character development and how the emotional content of the play changes over time – doing a French scene breakdown. The third read is more technical – looking at each scene for setting, time of day, actions (windows opening, light switch flipped, etc.), specials needed, etc. Then it’s time to talk to the director to make sure we’re on the same page in interpreting the author’s meaning, laying out the general concept in terms of emotional content using colors, intensity levels, effects, etc. And coordination with the rest of the design team – set, costumes, sound, to make sure the general scheme will work. At this point I also need an idea of the instruments available and the budget. This is really the critical part of the design. The lighting needs to underscore and modulate the emotional content of the work so having an understanding of the psychology of light and

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Q & A Discussion Series color is critical to a good design. The more detailed technical stage of design, such as number of instruments and their placement, comes as the blocking is refined. LK: One thing that seems to routinely escape the students I work with is that reading the script through once is not enough. The first read is for overall content and mood. You have to go back through sometimes several times to look for specific clues such as a need for a chandelier, or a scene taking place with the lights turned "off." After the initial script research, a lot of the specifics are determined through dialogue with the other members of the production team, particularly the set and costume departments. Color and cueing are crucial to a good lighting design. Placement of the lights is often influenced heavily by the set placement and the limitations of the theatre. Costumes and the paint choices of the set need to be considered when choosing gel. Color creates mood and gives the audiences clues. For instance, we have been trained that a deep blue must mean that it is dark in the world of the play. A good cue, for most shows, should be felt, not necessarily noticed. TAG: Each theatre has a different space, different light boards and different equipment available to them. While working with different production companies, has this been a challenge for you? How do you deal with it? TR: Not really – there are only a dozen or so different types of instruments, so getting aquatinted with their capabilities (light quality, intensity, beam angle, etc.) is not that hard. Once you get a good plan of the space, you can sit down at the drawing board or computer and get a good idea of how you can place the instruments and how they’ll react in the space. And all light boards come with a manual. LK: Really, there are more similarities than differences between the venues in this town. A Fresnel has been the same technology for 25 years. The new Source Pars are just an updated twist on the old par cans. While an Altman 360Q probably doesn't hold a bench focus anymore, and may not produce the same quality of light that a newer Source 4 does, they are both ellipsoidals; the principles are the same. Even the Source 4 has been around at least 10 years now.

The light boards are all similar enough that with a manual available, at least the basics can be hashed out. The only completely different syntax is when a theatre uses a dmx converter and PC software. Even then, the language is the same. TAG: Out of all the lighting designs you have created in your career, of which one are you most proud and why? TR: Temporary Help – Shelterbelt 2005. Because when I evaluated the design after the production ended, there wasn’t one thing I could think of to do differently – usually I have some “Oh – I should have thought of that” moments. LK: I don't work as only a lighting designer very often. At South, Dave and I are the production team. I can have some pretty heated design discussions with myself. TAG: For the typical TAG voter who has little experience with lighting design, what types of things should we look for when completing our ballots in the lighting design category? TR: A good design is one that just pings the sub-conscious, so it’s easier to notice bad design than good. Do hot spots pull focus? Is the light intensity wrong for the mood? Is color wrong for the mood? Etc. LK: With the exception of a few shows that call for "flash and trash," something more bold and snazzy like concert lighting, a lighting design should support the other aspects (a green dress should look green not brown) and enhance the mood of the piece without being distracting or an element you notice in its own regard. TAG: Here’s your big chance – what’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about your field? TR: Lights (and sound) are probably the hardest items in a play to evaluate correctly, since their effect is supposed to be subtle - but everybody knows that. What a lot of people probably don't realize is just how hard it is to be subtle. LK: Just like one shouldn't be expected to build a set by themselves, hanging and focusing a light plot is done more easily and much more safely with more than one person. Please, don't take your lighting designer for granted

.

Please join us for the annual General Membership Meeting Saturday, June

12th, 10:15 at the Swanson Library at 90th and Dodge Streets. All TAG Members are

welcome and encouraged to attend.

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Theatre Planning Tu W Tr F S Su M Tu W Tr F S Su M Tu W Tr F S Su M Tu W Tr F S Su M Tu WJun-2010 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

On StageRCMC - Comedy Tonight

SNAP - Loose Knit

ROSE - High School Musical 2

OCP - Fiddler On The Roof

WPAC - Wizard of Oz

OCP - Rock Legends

BST - Little Women - The Musical

BB - Rabit Hole

SG - Two Gentlemen of Verona

Auditions

SNAP - Sordid LivesMCT - King Arthur's QuestBSB - Julius Ceaser

BSB - An Enemy Within

JBT - Full Season Auditions

Black Box = Closing Performance

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Theatre Arts Guild, Inc. P.O. Box 24008

Omaha, NE 68124-0008

www.theatreartsguild.com

Keep receiving TAG mail.

Send address & e-mail address

changes to:

TAG

PO Box 24008

Omaha, NE 68124 [email protected]

June 2010

TAG Board of Directors & General Information

Jim Martin (2010), President (402) 933-6259 [email protected]

Connie Fowler (2010),Program co-chair (402) 455-3918 [email protected]

Lois Nemec (2011) Scholarship co-chair (402) 733-6453 (No e-mail) Jerry Onik (2011), Theatre Services Co-Chair, Ways & Means Co-Chair (402) 733-8161 [email protected]

Jennifer Gilg (2010), Corresponding Secretary/Publicity (402) 551-6284 [email protected]

Paul Schneider (2010), Theater Services Co-Chair (402) 384-8338 [email protected]

Jim Herron (2012), Membership chair (402) 496-3217 [email protected] Cathy Hirsch (2012) Newsletter chair (402) 740-4877 [email protected] Laura Jay (2010), Treasurer, Theatre Grant Chair, (402) 517-8707 [email protected]

Randall Stevens (2012), Awards co-chair (402) 208-0150 [email protected]

Pat Thomas (2012) Program Co-Chair (712) 322-5980 [email protected]

Mary Kelly (2011), President-elect, Awards Co-Chair (402) 733-6999 [email protected] Denny Maddux (2011) Scholarship co-chair, TNO Co-Chair (712) 310-0265 [email protected]

Allison Wissman (2011), Recording Secretary, (402) 672-0806 [email protected]

Debbie Krambeck (2012), Ways & Means Co-Chair, Treasurer-elect (402) 639-2437 [email protected]

Sherry Fletcher, Immediate Past President, Ex-officio [email protected]

Tom Bertino, Ex-officio, [email protected] Teen Reps: Cali Neuberger and Bailey Newman

• The next Board of Directors’ meeting will be held Saturday, June 12, 10:15 a.m., at the Swanson Library. All TAG Members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Call Jim Martin at (402) 933-6259.

• The final DEADLINE for items, articles and advertisements for the July Newsletter is Saturday, June 19. • To submit newsletter information/articles, send via e-mail to [email protected] (preferred) or mail to TAG, Attn: Cathy Hirsch, Box 24008, Omaha, NE

68124. • To advertise in TAGLines, e-mail [email protected]. Our advertising rates can be found under Contact Us at www.theatreartsguild.com. Non-

members may only advertise theatre-related business. • To sign up for members-only access at www.theatreartsguild.com, send an e-mail to [email protected]. • An e-broadcast service is available for newsworthy information that is not included in TAGLines or urgent information pertaining to date changes,

cancellations and/or auditions. For questions regarding TAG e-broadcasts, contact [email protected].