BWW Exclusive Blog: CLYBOURNE PARK Behind the Scenes: Day Two

BroadwayWorld.com welcomes Clybourne Park to the Broadway neighborhood by offering readers an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek as the play gets ready for performances. Through this unprecedented access to the fascinating creative process of technical rehearsals, students from Fordham University will keep BroadwayWorld.com readers in the loop through daily updates and photography. Log on to follow along as this Pulitzer Prize-winning play moves into its new Broadway home and literally gets built from the ground up.

The Walter Kerr Theatre was a house of excitement this spring afternoon at the first official meet and greet for Broadways new show, Clybourne Park. The afternoon began as proud producer Jordan Roth welcomed the Clybourne family to their newest home. "You will make your mark here, and this theatre will be better for it" he stated as the members of the Clybourne team gave supportive cheers. The air in the theatre was thick with a sense of honor and unison. Although many of the Clybourne Team had not met until today you would have never known. It felt as if you had walked into a family reunion where anyone with a smile was welcome to attend. One by one, individuals introduced themselves as others listened with eager ears making it evident that every member of the team was equal, significant and respected. I listened as the cast and creative team introduced themselves. The theatre manager stood up making it clear that she, "the problem solver," was ready to tackle any challenges that presented themselves. It was hard to believe that with a group as brave as this one that any challenge would dare present itself. The Clybourne team loaded in the set after having to make the switch from a thrust to proscenium stage, hung the lights, and prepped the costumes and props in only three days.

Being the first day of tech, the house seats were filled with black tables covered in laptops, light plots and street vendor coffee cups, all signs of a team eager to work. A tour of the backstage area made it clear that there was much to be done but nothing that would not be accomplished. It was a surreal experience sitting in a Broadway house beside such an innovative group of theatre artists. Upon my departure I found myself questioning if these artists knew how ideal their lives appeared in my eyes. Walking out the door I heard one individual ask the other how he was, the man who was questioned responded, "How am I? I'm living the dream!" With that response I headed out of the Walter Kerr Theatre with a newfound surge of elation, all due to an afternoon spent with the incredible family of Clybourne Park.

By Jordana De La Cruz, Fordham University Winter Class of 2012, pursuing a B.A. in Theatre and Visual Arts with a concentration in Directing.

Photo Credit: Ben Cohen/Givenik.com

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