A word about the creative...

Hi everyone,

Much has been written (and will continue to be written) about all of the production challenges associated with purposely putting up a show with a zero budget. (Yesterday, we were trying to figure out how to transport 10 chairs to our secret location - without being able to rent a van...)

But let me talk a bit about creative challenges - and about rehearsal in general.

In line with putting up a zero budget show are the difficulties involved in scheduling rehearsal. When you can't pay people, you are forced to work around their schedules. People have to work, so their work schedules come first. That means you schedule rehearsal AROUND other commitments. When you're doing a full Equity show, your first commitment is to the play. No questions asked. When you produce with a zero budget, it's not quite the same.

Our rehearsal schedule is odd. Monday nights, Friday during the day. A Saturday afternoon here, a Wednesday night there. K Trevor Wilson has been shooting "The Border" for CBC all week, so he was a little late for yesterday's rehearsal. We accommodate. In some ways the increased flexibility is comforting, in other ways frustrating. But, interestingly, we all find a way to make it work...

I've directed 3 rehearsals of this show thus far. Due to the crazy scheduling challenges, I was unable to schedule a first reading. In fact, I have yet to have a rehearsal with all actors of ANY cast (we are doing 3 separate short plays), and that's crazy to me. I also had to replace an actress 3 days ago - because the 17-year old actress I had cast (a very talented performer) was denied permission to do the play by her father. Well, that doesn't happen every day in the professional world!

Personally, I've always enjoyed doing this kind of indie theatre. It's as indie as you can get - and it's creatively very satisfying from an entrepreneurial standpoint. Take money out of the equation completely (as we have), and it's like a perpetual Brain Teaser...

I will say though, that the cast is quite fine. All of the actors cast are versatile, talented and affable. It's nice coming to rehearsal with a group of human beings you genuinely like. It doesn't happen all the time in the professional world, and it makes things so much more enjoyable. Last night, we did some interesting character work and experimental blocking with Jonathan Shatzky and Jessica Salgueiro. We built on the relationship work we had done in a previous rehearsal, and it's amazing to see everything grow and develop. They're a very believable couple, and a hilarious one at that! Add in a comedic powerhouse like K Trevor Wilson, and we're really gonna put up something special...

A special shout out to Jay Morneau. As producer/stage manager/technical director/chef, he's put a lot of sweat into the show already. The 2 of us are solving lots of problems every day (and inventing some with the zero budget thing), but we're getting it done. The show will definitely be memorable (in a good way), so I'm definitely looking forward to the culmination of our efforts on the Sept 17th opening night...

Write soon,

Bobman