Guest Blog: Jill Winternitz On Week Two Of Rehearsal For DARK TOURISM
By: Guest Blogger: Jill Winternitz Sep. 25, 2015
It's all ramping up in the DT rehearsal room! We've been working with the incredible movement director Polly Bennett to unlock the possibilities of our play in the Park90 space. Working in a thrust (audience on three sides) requires an awareness and dexterity to maximise sight lines and create dynamic staging. Additionally, we've been building a physical language to use in transitions between scenes. It's always inspiring to see how a limit (in our case, the actual physical limit of a relatively small stage) can be a catalyst for creativity. Polly has a real knack for bringing out story through movement. We've been exploring how relationships, themes, and backstories, can all emerge whilst we complete the essential tasks of changing scenes.
Members of our design team have also been popping into rehearsals recently. Our set designer William Fricker brought in a model box - a miniature model of the set, all rendered to scale and approximately 25 times smaller than the actual theatre. This model showcases the colours, textures, and details of the set for the production team and cast. It's a great way for us all to be on the same page in understanding the environment we will be playing in.
We've also had our brilliant sound designer, Mike Thacker, in the room. Mike is creating a wonderful soundscape for the play that underscores our director's vision. I worked with Mike on my last theatre job (Once at the Phoenix Theatre). It's a big change going from having two microphones clipped into my hair that he'd fade up and down for every line and song (as is customary in a musical), to DARK TOURISM, where we are acting in a very intimate venue and none of us have mics, as straight plays rarely use them. Both of these methods give you so much to play with as an actor, and it's a real joy to dance between them.
Anna Lewis, our costume designer, has been another great collaborator. Costumes are such an intrinsic part of creating a role, and it's been lovely to discuss and discover what feels right for our characters. As the play is contemporary, it's been fun finding references and style inspiration for my character Jennifer!
As we roll into our final stretch of rehearsals and tech, I'm getting so excited to share this play with the world. It has so many topical, relevant, and provocative ideas, and I hope our audiences will leave the theatre with lots to discuss and ponder. In the meantime, thank you for reading and I'll be back soon with another update.
#DarkTourismPlay
https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/dark-tourism/about
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