Scene Design for Mrs. Mannerly

Last week, I sat down with Laurel Shoemaker, who is the scenic designer for Mrs. Mannerly.  What is really exciting and fascinating about this production is that it utilizes very little set design, and instead relies on projections, which Laurel has been creating and photo-shopping.

The director for Mrs. Mannerly, Rob Urbinati is interested in creating sets out of found spaces.   So, in the Spring, Laurel took pictures of the Studio Theatre to help give him ideas about how to use the space.  What they decided was to put the production in the back, right corner and use minimal sets.  The set is the outline of a basketball court, a basketball net, a chandelier that will drop down for the bar scene, and then props and furniture Mrs. Mannerly will arrange during the performance.  In the collage below, you can see Laurel's picture of the Studio and then her design for the set.

With a minimal set, a lot of the stage story is going to be told by projections.  For the projections, Laurel brought in lots of images from the internet, photo-shopped to create what she needed, or with the help of a former grad student, created original drawings.  Here is just a smattering of different types of projections you'll see in the show.

School Pictures:
In the production, Jeffrey and the other kids in the manners class are all played by one actor, Mark McCarthy.  Laurel created a class of five students using old photos and photoshop.  There are couple of different pictures of the class, but here is one that shows them all together.

Manner's Book Illustrations
One of the other projections in the show are original pictures illustrated by David Tousley, a former UNL graduate student.  Laurel had found pictures in old manners books, and David created pictures modeled after some of the images.  Here is an example of two of them:

Different Inspirations for the Gym:

Although not part of the projection series, before the production Laurel researched older style gyms and pulled a couple of pictures that she shared with me.  My favorite one was the picture of the dance in the gym.  In Mrs. Mannerly, the gym doubles as a manners classroom, so I thought it was neat to see all the ways gyms get to perform multiple functions and create many types of settings.   

There is lots of other things that Laurel talked to me about, but the rest of it is up on our Pinterest page, in the board called "NRT's Production of Mrs. Mannerly."  While you are there, you can also check out Pinterest board for "NRT's Production of Emma."  

Clueless: a 20th Century Emma

There are just some things 90's kids understand: scrunchies, Furbies, Nickelodeon when it was good, and Alicia Silverstone in the entertainment classic Clueless. Yes, it's a 1990's staple without which no sleepover would have been complete. The moment the opening credits flash on the screen, the audience is transported into the mystical world of Beverly Hills, where Valley Girls roam in herds and plastic surgeons abound. It's a classic.

But did you know Clueless was inspired by another, even greater classic? That's right, folks, Amy Heckerling's screenplay is based loosely off of Jane Austen's Emma.

It is for this reason (along with the fact that we LOVE hosting events for our friends throughout Lincoln) that the Nebraska Repertory Theatre is partnering with University Program Council and the Ross Media Arts Center to bring a free screening of Clueless to you! Yes, even! Everyone knows the Huskers like to prep for a big event in a great way, and the theatre is no different!

In order to get you pumped for Emma (opening on July 11) and Clueless (showing on July 14 @ 7:00 PM), we wanted to share some memorable quotes from our modern day Emma, Cher, and her Beverly Hills posse*: 

• Cher: Okay, so you're probably going, "Is this like a Noxzema commercial or what?" But seriously, I actually have a way normal life for a teenage girl.
• Cher: Searching for a boy in high school is as useless as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie.
• Travis: I would like to say this. Tardiness is not something you can do on your own. Many, many people contributed to my tardiness. I would like to thank my parents for never giving me a ride to school, the LA city bus driver who took a chance on an unknown kid and last but not least, the wonderful crew from McDonalds who spend hours making those egg McMuffins without which I might never be tardy.
• Cher: Everything I think and everything I do is wrong. I was wrong about Elton, I was wrong about Christian, and now Josh hated me. It all boiled down to one inevitable conclusion, I was just totally clueless. Oh, and this Josh and Tai thing was wigging me more than anything. I mean, what was my problem? Tai is my pal, I don't begrudge her a boyfriend, I really... Ooh, I wonder if they have that in my size. 

Did you recognize some of these quotes? Do you know even more than we do? (Feel free to comment them in the space available below!) Are you totally excited for Clueless at the Ross and Emma at the Nebraska Rep? Of course you are! And the great news is, it doesn't matter if you're a product of the 90's, 80's, or even the 1960's; we want to see you filling up those seats! So join the Nebraska Rep and UPC at the Ross on July 14, 7:00 pm to see the 20th Century Emma: Clueless!

While you're at it, visit us on specific dates from July 11-August 11 at the Howell Theatre to see the Jane Austen classic rendition of "Emma" come to life on stage!  Would you totally regret that decision? As if!

*Quotes provided by www.imdb.com

Meet the Cast of Making God Laugh

The last show the Nebraska Rep will open this season is Making God Laugh.  Here is the cast for this show.

Virginia Smith - Director

This is my 9th year as the Artistic Director of the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. As I've so often said, I have the best job in the midwest! And it's wonderful to be able to bring these five terrific new plays to you this summer! My Rep directing credits include God of Carnage, Church Basement Ladies, Vino Veritas, Santaland Diaries, Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, Metamorphoses, Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, Omnium Gatherum, Crimes of the Heart and Dinnertime which was performed at the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Theatre Festival in New York City and in Krakow, Poland. Other favorite productions include The Voice of the Prairie at the Podium Festival in Moscow, Romeo and Juliet for Oak Park Festival Theatre, and Ride Down Mount Morgan, Hamlet, Judevine, and Marisol for Equity Library Theatre. My work directing for Still Point Theatre Collective, a touring company based in Chicago, has been seen across Europe and the U.S. I'm the Head of Graduate and Undergraduate Directing at UNL, and run our M.F.A. Program in Directing for Stage and Screen. My musical adaptation of Local Wonders, former Poet Laureate Ted Kooser's book by the same name, had a successful run in Chicago 2011 and the Lied Center in 2012.

Melissa Epps -- Ruthie

Melissa Critchfield Epp – Is returning for her 8^th NRT season.  A graduate of UNL Theater department it was on this stage that Melissa began her professional journey.  Some of her favorite roles include Meredith from STEAMBATH, Flo in PICNIC and Nancy Twinkle in LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE.  She also loved being on stage with fellow alums as Sister Woman in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.  As a former member of SAG and Equity, her career has ranged from coast to coast including, recording, commercial, voice over work and film.  She had a starring role in Ted Lange’s award winning Indie film FOR LOVE OF AMY and is featured in the UNL’s film departments project DIGS directed by Donald Petrie.  For several years she and husband Mark produced children’s music, television and film projects.

Their two kids Ryan, a Chef and Ashley, an aspiring actress/singer are currently pursuing their own arts in New York City and the world.  A special thanks to her mom, Joyce, who continues to shine and help guide her artistic expression, to her loving soul mate Mark, and to the two best kids in the world.  Oh yeah, and their dog Bailey!  

Alan Knoll - Bill

Alan Knoll is a St Louis-based actor, and he's thrilled to return for another season at the Nebraska Rep; last year he was seen as Jeeves in Jeeves Intervenes and Phillipe in Heroes.  Other favorite roles include George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Riverfront Times 2010 Best Actor),  Max in Laughter on the 23rd Floor,  Graham in A Chip in the Sugar,  and all the residents of Bedford Falls in This Wonderful Life, named St Louis' best one-man show in 2011. Thanks to Virginia for the chance to return to Lincoln, and to his wonderful wife Laurie McConnell for her love and support.

Becky Key Boesen - Maddie

Becky is an actor, director and playwright.   Becky’s most recent play, What the Wind Taught Me was commissioned and debuted at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in March 2013 and will tour the state of Nebraska through the Lied Center’s Arts Across Nebraska program in the fall.   Becky recently directed Much Ado About Nothing for Flatwater Shakespeare and is looking forward to directing Nocturne for the Rep’s Destination Series.  She is a recipient of a Mayor’s Arts Award and was selected as one of Lincoln’s 2013 “Top 20 Under 40” for her leadership in the arts community.  Becky teaches acting and playwriting at Doane College and is currently writing her first full-length screenplay, titled Celia Skates.  Becky is overjoyed to return to Nebraska Repertory Theatre this summer – she last appeared on the NRT stage as Becky Foster in Becky’s New Car.   Thanks for supporting live theatre!

Dan Rodden - Tom

Dan happily returns to Lincoln for his second season, where NRT audiences will recall his performances as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps and Steve in Becky's New Car.  His career has allowed him to perform for theaters across the U.S. and Canada.  Last fall, he had the honor of playing the iconic role of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird at Cardinal Stage Company in Bloomington, IN.  Other selected credits: Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha (Guest Artist - Normandale Community College, Bloomington, MN); Felix, The Odd Couple (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Antipholus of Syracuse, The Comedy of Errors (Oak Park Festival Theatre); Dr. Adams, Marrying Terry (Nightingale Group); Charles, Blithe Spirit; Mortimer, Arsenic And Old Lace; Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (New American Theater), IO Chicago; Texas Shakespeare Festival, and Cidermill Playhouse. Back home in Chicago, he performs frequently with The Shakespeare Project of Chicago in numerous classical staged readings, including Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing and Antonio in The Duchess Of Malfi.  Dan resides with his talented wife, actress Gail Rastorfer, whom he met a number of years ago while touring with the Nebraska Theatre Caravan.

Mark McCarthy -- Rick

Mark McCarthy is proud to make his Nebraska Rep debut.  

Previous Roles: 

• Hampton Theatre Company: How the Other Half Loves
• Shadowland Theatre Company: Dangers, Of Electric Lighting,The Seafarer
• International Mystery Writers’ Festival: Sherlock Holmes: the Final Toast (Dr. Watson)
• Illinois Theatre Center: Moonlight and Magnolias 
• Mercury Theatre (Chicago): King O' the Moon 
• Denver Center Theatre Company: The Rivals 
• Portland Center Stage: The Rivals, Macbeth, As You Like It
• Notre Dame Shakespeare: Tamking of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing 
• Heart of America Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream 
• Kansas City Rep: Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Tempest,The Deputy, Julius Caesar, The Imaginary Invalid.  

Mark has played hapless people in several cheesy TV movies and independent films. He voices over a

hundred characters in the audio book version of Alan Brennert’s new novel Palisades Park. He’s also a

stage combat choreographer and published playwright. He lives just outside New York City with his wife,

the brilliant and talented Hollis McCarthy. 

Mannerly Mondays: Children's Etiquette, 19th century vs. 21st century

Think back to the first manners you were taught as a child. Personally, I remember these: be kind to others, respect your elders, keep your hands to yourself, and do not talk when others (especially adults) are talking.  I will admit, I did not always follow these rules; I loved to talk during class and always had a story to tell my neighbor. So, I was often reprimanded by both teachers and my parents, and thus I was taught what was expected of me as a youngster. 

In the 19th century, children were taught many rules we still practice today. As you can image, there were a couple of etiquette rules that we in the modern age might think strange. Here are a few examples:

• Always greet every family member when entering a room
• Keep yourself clean and tidy at all times 
• Always bid your elders and parents goodnight 
• Remember to wear the appropriate clothing for indoors and outdoors.

I think that it would be exhausting as a child to be expected to be so prim and proper at such a young age. Likewise, it would seem difficult for parents to keep watch over unruly children who might get too dirty or not greet you in the right way. 

Now-a-days parents still expect their children to have manners but go about it in a more casual way. In the 21st century we can expect our children to behave with manners like these:

• Using words such as "thank you" and "excuse me"
• Being friendly to the people your parents introduce you to
• Not raising your voice or screaming at your parents. 
• Being willing to try different foods and using your napkin 
• Using your big girl/boy voice when talking to adults instead of mumbling or whining.

I’m just thankful for childhood memories of making mud pies and dancing around the kitchen in my underwear. Thankfully I had great parents that knew where the balance between being polite and being a kid was.

Looking Forward Friday: 2013 Teaser

For the last three weeks, I've been featuring "Flashback Fridays" that looked back at the previous 2012 season of Nebraska Repertory.  Since I've gone through all of the old shows, and the new season is quickly approaching, it is time to start looking forward at the upcoming season.  

So, for the first "Looking Forward Friday," here is a teaser video created for Nebraska Repertory by Michael Reinmiller, the Digital Arts Support Technician.  Since I can't embed it here, you can watch it by clicking here or clicking the picture below. 

    

Emma's Interviews: Erica King, NRT Prop Master

Last week, Emma Gruhl, the Company Manager and Audience Development Assistant, sat down with Erica King,  Nebraska Repertory Theatre's Prop Master for all three shows.  In the interview, Erica talked about memories of the shows from last season and gave insights into making the props for these shows.

In the player below, you can listen to the interview.  Sorry that the sound quality isn't as sharp as it could be; for the blog we went with informal podcasting by using cell phones for the recording.  

Season Ticket Giveaway!!!!

From today, June 25th, through Thursday, July 4th, Nebraska Repertory Theatre is hosting a Season Ticket Giveaway.  One lucky person will win a season pass to the 2013 shows.

A season pass allows you to see each of shows as many times as you like and also gives you free admission to the two Destinations shows on July 30th and August 6th.  Season passes normally run $60, but you have the chance to get one for free!!!

To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below.  For every one of the items you enter you increase your chances of winning.  Here are all the ways you can enter the giveaway:

1. Follow NERepTheatre on Twitter (+1 entry; once)
2. Tweet About the Giveaway (+1 entry; onee)
3. "Like" NRT's Facebook Page (+1 entry; once)
4. Comment below about the ways you signed up to follow NRT (+2 entries; once)
5. Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, or Google+ (+2 entries; can do once for each option)
6. Sign-up to receive blog updates through email or RSS feed (+5 entries; can do once for each option)

Will announce the winner on July 5th!  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet the Cast of Mrs. Mannerly

Last week I introduced you to the cast of Emma.  Today, I'd like you to meet the small but enthusiastic cast of Mrs. Mannerly.

Director: Rob Urbinati:

Rob is a freelance director and playwright based in New York City,  Literary Manager of Private Theatre, and Director of New Play Development at Queens Theatre, where he curates the Immigrant Voices Project.  In New York City, he has directed for The Public Theatre, Classic Stage Company, The Culture Project, Abingdon Theatre, New York Music Theatre Festival, New York University, York Theatre, Pearl Theatre and Cherry Lane Theatre, among others. He directed Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story at the Lied Center, and The 39 Steps for Nebraska Repertory Theatre.

His plays as a writer include Hazelwood Jr. High, West Moon Street and Death by Design, all published by Samuel French.  His play, Rebel Voices and his musical, Shangri La, will be published by Samuel French in 2013. His adaptation of Cole Porter’s Nymph Errant opened in New York City in July 2013, and his latest play, UMW, was commissioned by Linfield College in Oregon, where it opened in March 2013.

Rob is an alumnus of the Drama League, The Lincoln Center Theatre Director’s Lab, and a member of the Dramatists Guild and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Mark McCarthy -- Jeffrey 

Mark McCarthy is proud to make his Nebraska Rep debut.  

Previous Roles: 

• Hampton Theatre Company: How the Other Half Loves
• Shadowland Theatre Company: Dangers, Of Electric Lighting, The Seafarer
• International Mystery Writers’ Festival: Sherlock Holmes: the Final Toast (Dr. Watson)
• Illinois Theatre Center: Moonlight and Magnolias 
• Mercury Theatre (Chicago): King O' the Moon 
• Denver Center Theatre Company: The Rivals 
• Portland Center Stage: The Rivals, Macbeth, As You Like It
• Notre Dame Shakespeare: Tamking of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing 
• Heart of America Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream 
• Kansas City Rep: Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Tempest, The Deputy, Julius Caesar, The Imaginary Invalid.  

Mark has played hapless people in several cheesy TV movies and independent films. He voices over a

hundred characters in the audio book version of Alan Brennert’s new novel Palisades Park. He’s also a

stage combat choreographer and published playwright. He lives just outside New York City with his wife,

the brilliant and talented Hollis McCarthy. 

Juanita Pat Rice -- Mrs. Mannerly

Juanita Pat Rice began her theatre career right here at UNL then went on to San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre, where in addition to acting she taught the performance of Shakespeare. She then earned a PhD from UC-Berkeley and became a Theatre Professor at CSU-Sacramento where she directed numerous distinguished productions of Shakespeare, Shaw, Moliere and contemporary American theatre. While there, she was head of the directing, acting and graduate programs and served as the first woman department chair.  After retiring, she returned to Nebraska, and has appeared in Lincoln with Angels Theatre Company, and as Queen Margaret in Flatwater Shakespeare's Richard III. 

She is a writer, pianist, master gardener, Tai Chi teacher, and a longtime social activist for environmental, peace and equality issues.  

Fifty years ago, in 1963, she debuted at UNL  in Eugene O'Neill's one-woman play Before Breakfast and won her first acting award, a "Dallas," as Widow Paroo in a production of Music Man directed by Dallas Williams, her first role on the Howell Memorial stage.  So this is the golden anniversary of her acting career, back where she first began. In her career she has worked with directors William Ball, Edward Hastings, Nagle Jackson and Alan Fletcher. She has performed as Lady MacBeth, Blanche DuBois, Jocasta (in Cocteau), Molly Brown (in The Unsinkable) among numerous other roles and has emcee'd The Vagina Monologues numerous times at benefits in California.

Mannerly Mondays: Male Etiquette for dating in the 19th Century

In the 19th century dating, the custom was to be very formal when pursuing a young lady.  It was the males’ role to court the female; a lady would never go out of her way to call on a man.  Before the courting could commence, it was important to seek approval from her father first. After approval was granted it was normal for the young man to come over to a young lady’s house and stay for lunch or dinner, play badminton, drink tea, and go on carriage rides. The rules of propriety and good conduct forbade women visiting suitors in their homes, although the rules were not so strict as to prevent her from visiting male relatives unattended. 

A woman with wealth and a high education, however, could get away with being single for an extended amount of time but eventually married another rich man to start a family with.  

One thing I wish we continued in the 21st century was writing letters especially love letters. Writing letters was a crucial step to courting a lady in the 19th century; her love could be kindled with a well-written love letter. Along with love letters, when a man was ready to propose it was done through a letter. This struck me with surprise because in this day and age we always talk about how the man sets up a beautiful evening to pop the question. A letter to me completely dries up any romance of a proposal of marriage. But I guess you can’t have your cake and eat it, so having both love letters and a perfect night for a proposal would be a little too rich.   

So as you go through your dating years remember, a love letter can light the tiniest of flames and might grow into the strongest fire. 

Flashback Friday: God of Carnage

This is the last flashback to Nebraska Repertory's 2012 Season.  NRT's third show of the season was God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza.  I chatted with Dennis Henry (who played Michael) about what he remembered most about being in the production.  His response matched up with my strongest memory, and that is of the vomit scene.  Dennis went on to expand that it was a pretty intensive part of the production between bringing in guest technicians to help design a machine that could projectile vomit, figuring out the perfect mix of ingredients to get the right look, and then figuring out how to disguise the machine so that when  Annette (played by Sasha Dobson) threw up, it looked believable.  Then, for the actors, there was also the on-stage clean-up that had to happen every performance.  The moment always got a huge response of laughs, gasps, and a little bit of turning green.  I forgot to include a picture in the slideshow below, so click here to see a picture from the Facebook page.