This year has been amazing! As a producer, I have had the pleasure of watching two wonderful shows become reality - from auditions, to rehearsals, to production. We are about to launch the third show in two weeks (Jekyll & Hyde - the Arts Project - Sept 8th - 12th). It has been an incredible experience.
Before becoming involved in the theatre, I just assumed great theatre just happened. Well, I probably didn't, but I really didn't give it much thought. I would see a play advertised, think "that sounds good" and go see it. I never really considered the work that went into a production.
In reality, the dedication that goes into a production by each and every member of the team, is absolutely astounding! The tech people, the makeup & costumes, the stage manager, the set designer, the music director - every one behind the scenes - is vested in making the production a success.
The face of the play developed by the director and the actors is the truly fascinating piece of the pie. I acted in high school. We were given our scripts, learned our lines, and our director would help us block the stage and tell us if we missed our cues. I assumed this is the way all plays were produced, but I was wrong. Professionally trained actors come prepared. They have thought about their characters from every angle. They have studied the lines and know why the character would say that line and how it would be said. They know if a line doesn't ring true, and have suggestions on how to make it more genuine. They know if it should be shouted or whispered, and they know that each word carries weight.
The director is the conductor who brings the magic to light. At the beginning of rehearsals, there are exercises to bring up the energy. There are techniques implemented to speed up and slow down certain scenes. There are "games" played to help actors listen to each other and jump on their cues. Questions are asked, "Who is your character?" "How is your character feeling?" "What kind of day did he/she have?" "Why does he/she feel this way?" - all of the pieces help the actors fit the puzzle together. At two rehearsals per week for a minimum of twelve weeks, I can honestly say that I have never seen the same rehearsal twice. There was always something new to consider; there were always new suggestions and new ideas.
Each production had its problems - some major, some minor - actors dropping out to pursue new opportunities; tech issues; personal problems - but none of these problems were apparent to the audience. The show must go on, and on the shows went - and the camaraderie formed amongst the casts were solid. The shows were very successful.
And yet, regardless of the success of the shows, it is still incredibly hard to get actors to come out for auditions. We still have three shows to go and I assumed that London, with its excellent programs at both Fanshawe and Western, would be flush with aspiring actors who wanted to work - especially for a new company that is trying to build a reputation and gain a foothold in the theatre community. One colleague suggested that actors don't want to work "for free" and I can certainly understand that. Our company would love to be able to pay the actors, but there is not a lot of money to be made - the little money we do make, after expenses, is actually paid out to the cast and crew as honourariums. However, there are other companies in London that do not pay their actors at all, yet they do not have any issues with securing talent. Obviously, Funeral Pyre Theatre is new, and does not have a "reputation" as of yet. Also, being new, there are still mistakes being made as we test the waters and find our way - but we are a serious theatre company that wants to provide quality productions. The two productions we have done so far should attest to that. I am hopeful that after Jekyll & Hyde, the theatre community will start to take us seriously and we will have great turnout for our casting calls. Great theatre doesn't just happen - it takes a talented pool of people to create a production - we look forward to bringing you the next three productions this year and hope you will support and promote our shows, as well as want to participate in future productions. We absolutely love bringing theatre to London and hope you enjoy the result!
Valerie Grunté
Producer
Before becoming involved in the theatre, I just assumed great theatre just happened. Well, I probably didn't, but I really didn't give it much thought. I would see a play advertised, think "that sounds good" and go see it. I never really considered the work that went into a production.
In reality, the dedication that goes into a production by each and every member of the team, is absolutely astounding! The tech people, the makeup & costumes, the stage manager, the set designer, the music director - every one behind the scenes - is vested in making the production a success.
The face of the play developed by the director and the actors is the truly fascinating piece of the pie. I acted in high school. We were given our scripts, learned our lines, and our director would help us block the stage and tell us if we missed our cues. I assumed this is the way all plays were produced, but I was wrong. Professionally trained actors come prepared. They have thought about their characters from every angle. They have studied the lines and know why the character would say that line and how it would be said. They know if a line doesn't ring true, and have suggestions on how to make it more genuine. They know if it should be shouted or whispered, and they know that each word carries weight.
The director is the conductor who brings the magic to light. At the beginning of rehearsals, there are exercises to bring up the energy. There are techniques implemented to speed up and slow down certain scenes. There are "games" played to help actors listen to each other and jump on their cues. Questions are asked, "Who is your character?" "How is your character feeling?" "What kind of day did he/she have?" "Why does he/she feel this way?" - all of the pieces help the actors fit the puzzle together. At two rehearsals per week for a minimum of twelve weeks, I can honestly say that I have never seen the same rehearsal twice. There was always something new to consider; there were always new suggestions and new ideas.
Each production had its problems - some major, some minor - actors dropping out to pursue new opportunities; tech issues; personal problems - but none of these problems were apparent to the audience. The show must go on, and on the shows went - and the camaraderie formed amongst the casts were solid. The shows were very successful.
And yet, regardless of the success of the shows, it is still incredibly hard to get actors to come out for auditions. We still have three shows to go and I assumed that London, with its excellent programs at both Fanshawe and Western, would be flush with aspiring actors who wanted to work - especially for a new company that is trying to build a reputation and gain a foothold in the theatre community. One colleague suggested that actors don't want to work "for free" and I can certainly understand that. Our company would love to be able to pay the actors, but there is not a lot of money to be made - the little money we do make, after expenses, is actually paid out to the cast and crew as honourariums. However, there are other companies in London that do not pay their actors at all, yet they do not have any issues with securing talent. Obviously, Funeral Pyre Theatre is new, and does not have a "reputation" as of yet. Also, being new, there are still mistakes being made as we test the waters and find our way - but we are a serious theatre company that wants to provide quality productions. The two productions we have done so far should attest to that. I am hopeful that after Jekyll & Hyde, the theatre community will start to take us seriously and we will have great turnout for our casting calls. Great theatre doesn't just happen - it takes a talented pool of people to create a production - we look forward to bringing you the next three productions this year and hope you will support and promote our shows, as well as want to participate in future productions. We absolutely love bringing theatre to London and hope you enjoy the result!
Valerie Grunté
Producer