The tradition of the Meet & Greet is a great kick-off to the frenzied three weeks or so that lead up to the opening of a new show.
All the cast, crew, staff and artistic team gather in the rehearsal hall to chat and munch goodies provide by Stage Management (kudos to Michelle Lagassé and her Assistant Stage Manager Leslie Sidley for a great array of treats this time!). Artistic Director Bob Metcalfe, also the director of this show, always has everyone introduce themselves and answer the question of day, which he poses with great glee. This time, it was "What do you wish you were NOT so cynical about?" This play is all about losing cynicism and finding joy. The answers were as varied as the people in the circle, ranging from politics to weather to infomercials to, rather inexplicably, green peas.
Set Designer Brian Perchaluk, who joined the team literally at the last minute because of unforseen circumstances, talked about the beautiful and intricate set he designed in about an eighth of the amount of time he usually is given (more about the set design another day).
Bob showed everyone the gorgeous costume design sketches from Tamara Kutcheran, who will be arriving in Winnipeg over the weekend.
Lighting Designer Scott Henderson assured us all that "there will be lights". And then the cast, director and stage managers retired to the tables in the middle of the room to begin the process of bringing a play to life on the stage -- the read-throughs. It's amazing just how much of the essence of the play comes through from actors just sitting around the table and reading their parts with emotion and conviction. It's definitely a sample of the delights to come as the play evolves towards opening night!
All the cast, crew, staff and artistic team gather in the rehearsal hall to chat and munch goodies provide by Stage Management (kudos to Michelle Lagassé and her Assistant Stage Manager Leslie Sidley for a great array of treats this time!). Artistic Director Bob Metcalfe, also the director of this show, always has everyone introduce themselves and answer the question of day, which he poses with great glee. This time, it was "What do you wish you were NOT so cynical about?" This play is all about losing cynicism and finding joy. The answers were as varied as the people in the circle, ranging from politics to weather to infomercials to, rather inexplicably, green peas.
Set Designer Brian Perchaluk, who joined the team literally at the last minute because of unforseen circumstances, talked about the beautiful and intricate set he designed in about an eighth of the amount of time he usually is given (more about the set design another day).
Bob showed everyone the gorgeous costume design sketches from Tamara Kutcheran, who will be arriving in Winnipeg over the weekend.
Lighting Designer Scott Henderson assured us all that "there will be lights". And then the cast, director and stage managers retired to the tables in the middle of the room to begin the process of bringing a play to life on the stage -- the read-throughs. It's amazing just how much of the essence of the play comes through from actors just sitting around the table and reading their parts with emotion and conviction. It's definitely a sample of the delights to come as the play evolves towards opening night!
