Wonder Week and The Retreat

Wonder Week
Crushing Stereotypes

Wonder Week was designed to introduce us “to more people in five days than we would meet in five years” on our own. I am not a statistician but a think the mission was successful. We met with agents, producers, directors, artistic directors, designers, union reps., new play advocates, lit managers, and casting directors, not surprisingly, filling our notebooks with excellent practical pointers and logistical advice. What was surprising was how inspiring these meetings were. Deep care and concern for the art-making process and unabashed love for the theatre were on full display in arenas that one might stereotypically imagine being filled with cynics and hardened naysayers.

The Retreat
Provoking the Glorious

In one of our inspiring Wonder week meetings an agent talked about art’s responsibility “to provoke the glorious.” Whether or not Roger and Daniela had the same goal for the Berkshires retreat, the result was the same: truly Glorious. While I could run out of superlatives describing the setting, the food, the campfire what I will carry forward from the retreat are the examples of camaraderie, courage and collaboration that flowed freely during those three days. Camaraderie: the bond that was forged between the four fellows, Courage: in the Tennessee Williams pitch meetings, in undertaking the R&J scenes, in working with seasoned actors on the monologues, and Collaboration: the unimaginable things that can happen in a respectful and playful environment where “Yes” and “Let’s try it” are the easiest words in the world. (I would be remiss if I didn’t also include Co-ordination: MB, Roger, Daniela, and the Stump Sprouts team- many thanks!)

Observing Road Show at The Public Theater

Shira here.

I had my first day at the public yesterday - it was so fascinating. For the next 2 months I'll be observing on "Road Show" the new musical by Stephen Sondheim & John Weidman. The show has had many previous incarnations - they've been working on it for ten years - but John Doyle, the director, was very clear that he thought of this as doing a new musical, and we should think of it that way, too. It was a great way to start the day, and a really positive tone to set in the room.

He doesn't do read-throughs. We spent the first day, after the meet & greet, jumping right in and learning songs. The cast is remarkable and the story has a lot of heart.

Oskar Eustis gave a great speech at the beginning of the meet & greet, and between him and John, I learned a lot about how to present yourself on the first day. It's a leadership lesson, and one I'm always looking for tips on everywhere I go. The first day makes me crazy with fear. Both Oskar and John demonstrated excitement, and a little trepidation that they admitted to, but great joy. They were articulate about what they wanted to say, and didn't try to say everything in one 2 minute speech. It made for a happy day. I'm really happy to embarking on this adventure at such a wonderful theater.