The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)[Revised] by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield (This Is Water Theatre, 2016)
Directed by Michelle Schovaers Wagley
My Roles:
Artistic Director, Producer, Technical Director, Lighting Designer
DIRECTOR - MICHELLE SCHOVAERS WAGLEY
STAGE MANAGER - JESSICA COOPER
SCENIC DESIGNER - HANNAH HILGENDORF
COSTUME DESIGNER - RAYNA DEXTER
PROPERTIES DESIGNER - NATE KROGEL
SOUND DESIGNER - DAVID PAUL
BOARD OP - AMANDA OMAN
Concept
The thought was to treat it like a class performance, something that would resonate with college students in a college town. The director also wanted to make sure that we handled the racially sensitive piece of the show (the Othello rap) with caution and could really play with the intimate setting in our 30 seat house.
Why this show?
This show proposal was submitted by our Production Manager who really wanted to direct it. Since technically the revision happened in the 21st century, we allowed it under This Is Water’s mission.
Lessons Learned
This was the second This Is Water production that I didn’t direct myself, and it was a delightfully fun experience to get to come in most of the way through the rehearsal process with my Artistic Director and Lighting Designer hats on to help the show get across the finish line. Giving notes to a director (rather than actors or designers) is always a unique experience, and ultimately led to the director requesting my help to address some of the notes she wasn’t sure how to address. But it was just an absolute blast to see the product of my company’s hard work…while still being able to stay sane while planning my wedding that same semester! The power of delegation, trust, and preparing your team well!