Feature Friday: A Farewell to '14

It is almost impossible to believe that just ten weeks ago, we were preparing to begin the 2014 Nebraska Repertory Theatre season. Ten weeks! In the words of General Manager Julie Hagemeier, "We went from April to August just like that!" But, you know what they say: time flies when you're having fun. And when you're creating wonderful art.

Today's blog marks the end of the 2014 NRT Social Media season. Coincidentally, today's is also the 100th blog post of the Nebraska Repertory Theatre on Blogger. In the past two seasons, we have posted one hundred fabulous pieces highlighting the many different performances, events, programs, and deals that have passed through the Temple doors and lived on the Howell and Studio stages. With every sentence typed, photo pasted, and blog posted, we have established more personal relationships with our readers and our audiences. For that, we thank you.

On social media, there is a very popular trend known as "100 Happy Days." In this challenge, social media users are challenged to post one thing that makes them happy for one hundred days straight. It is something that is sweeping Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, making the internet a happier place to be. Although the Nebraska Rep doesn't have 100 Happy Days to share, we would like to take a moment to reflect and countdown our favorite kinds of "100 Happy Blogs"we have had in the past couple of years:

5. Countdowns

If you have been a follower of "Behind the Curtain" for two years or even just two days, you've probably noticed that we have a thing for countdowns. Whether we are counting reasons why audience members should see a show, things we have enjoyed throughout the summer, or lessons we have learned, we love counting the ways.

4. Company Members

Every season, we are proud to welcome company members new and old onto the blog. With headshots and bios abounding, we always make it a priority to make sure that our audiences get to know who is marketing the show, who is creating the show, and who is performing the show. Whether it is through Emma's "Get to Know the Cast" blogs or following them through our daily shenanigans, it is important to us that you know who the Nebraska Repertory Theatre is.

3. "Did you know?" Background Stories

At the Nebraska Repertory Theatre, it is important for our audience members to not only enjoy the productions, but also to understand every drop that is put into it. That is why we love writing blogs discussing behind-the-scenes work, writer and play histories, and themes that come into play within the show (tea-time etiquette for Mrs. Mannerly, anyone?). When an audience member sits down to see a show or takes a seat at their computer, we want them to enjoy and learn more about the theatre we create.

2. Interviews

The blog and newsletter alike seek out unique perspectives from our actors, designers, and managers. Our blog contributors take the time to sit down with company members and ask them questions that give audience members a personal point of view within the different creative processes that go on at the Nebraska Rep. Through interviews, you get to know the people of the NRT as well as learn and appreciate what they do a little more.

1. NRT Special Events

Theatre people love being social, and they love events that help them be so. Many of our blog posts have either promoted or reflected on the many promotional and social events that we attend or host throughout the summer: Jazz in June, Community Garden Concert Series, Fine Arts Fridays, and opening nights! The management team enjoys planning, promoting, attending, and hosting these events, and it is our pleasure to share them with you!

The writers and contributors to "Behind the Curtain" thank you for supporting 100 successful blog posts, whatever type they be, and we look forward to sharing many more with you! As the 2014 season comes to a close, we would like to thank you for reading, supporting, and enjoying the work and art that we have created for you this summer. As NRT winds down and we move forward into the academic year, we hope that your support and enthusiasm continues for all that the Johnny Carson Academic Theatre Season has to offer. Who knows which students you'll see on the Rep stage in Summer 2015!

The Nebraska Repertory Theatre appreciates all of the love and support it receives from its patrons, especially throughout our 2014 summer season. Thank you for the memories and the page views! 

See you next summer!

Desiree Bartels, Blog Editor

Stephanie's Weekly Spotlight: Catching Up With Kristie

Although our last production, Unnecessary Farce, opens this Wednesday, our season is far from over. You still have eight more opportunities to see either of our other shows, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and Circle Mirror Transformation. And should you choose to see one (or both!), you will be introduced to the lovely Kristie Berger. 

Berger plays Masha in Vanya and Marty in Circle Mirror. 

Kristie is one of several guest artists in our company this season; she traveled here from Chicago. She has worked in such theaters as The Goodman, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Touchstone, and Center Theater. She is no stranger to the Rep, however. She joined the company for the first time in 2005, where she played Grace in Bus Stop and Priscilla in Resident Alien. We are thrilled to have her with us again! Check out my interview with her below. We discuss the challenges of repertory theatre, and she gives advice to aspiring actors.

SK: What projects have you completed at home in Chicago since you were last with the Nebraska Rep?
KB: Hmm.....let's see. I did a couple of shows, a myriad of staged readings, worked in commercials, voiceovers, industrials, print ads, and did an independent film. I started my own business so I could work from home and have a flexible schedule so I can control the "feast or famine" part of being an actor.

SK: What do you do to prepare before going onstage?
KB: I'm going to answer that as if you mean before a curtain goes up as opposed to all the work I do preparing for a role. I'm anal about checking my props and walking the stage, so I make sure I walk every inch of the stage, open and close every door I go through, sit on every piece of furniture I sit on in the show, check my personal props and make sure everything is where it needs to be prop-wise. I make sure I stretch my body so I'm limber enough to move the way I want. I warm up vocally, usually starting with humming and then singing and hit all the notes I can hit. I like to dance a little to get the blood flowing and my energy up. I also try to yawn quite a bit before going on stage to open up my voice and chest and feel relaxed.

SK: What's the biggest challenge of performing in a repertory setting?
KB: Making sure you're giving 100% to each show, keeping your energy up and committing fully to every rehearsal. Being prepared for each show by knowing your lines, your blocking, and making sure you're the least of the director's problems. And for me, getting enough sleep is always an issue because I replay each scene in my head when I'm trying to go to sleep, trying to figure out how to make moments work that didn't seem to work in rehearsal or performance.

SK: What's the best thing about repertory theatre?
KB: There's no one best thing, but I love the challenge, especially this summer, of working on two such different roles. I love working with all the wonderfully talented and creative actors, directors, designers, stage managers, crew, and all of us coming together and creating this living, breathing show that we get to share with an audience who then adds the energy that makes it all come together. There's nothing like doing shows in rep. It's exciting, challenging, exhausting, exhilarating, and such a treat for an actor to be a part of.

SK: If you weren't an actress, what do you think you would be doing?
KB: I love photography and I would love to drive from coast to coast across the USA, taking side roads and state roads and taking pictures of people, places, and whatever caught my eye, so being a photojournalist is something that really appeals to me -- being a mixture of Margaret Bourke-White and Ansel Adams. At one time, I also thought I'd like to be a forest ranger because I love being outdoors.

SK: Could you share some advice for aspiring actors?
KB: Read and see plays, see movies, watch TV, listen to commercials on the radio, take classes, read books. Take care of yourself -- eat well, exercise, get enough sleep. Don't be on time to auditions or rehearsals -- be early. Be nice to everybody you meet along the way -- interns, production assistants, secretaries, crew. Everyone involved on the job or at an audition is important. This is a small community and word spreads fast about you. If you have to have a day job, try to think of other skills you have that are marketable so that you can support yourself the way you want to. Being an actor can be a difficult way of life. A good support group -- friends, family -- who believe in you who you can turn to when you need them is vital. Research the places where you want to work and the directors you want to work with. Knowledge is power. And don't be afraid to fail. That's the only way to succeed.

Don't miss your chance to see Kristie onstage! Get your tickets to the following performances:

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

August 1 and 8 at 7:30pm

July 27 at 2:00pm

Circle Mirror Transformation

July 25, 30, and 31 at 7:30pm

August 9 at 7:30pm

August 3 at 2:00pm