It’s March Already?
Since January, I’ve finished up on The Weekend Will End which premiered in the New York Winterfest. Following that I was fortunate to spend a week with Lauren Yee for a new play workshop at the Playwrights Realm. I was able to reconnect with her and Josh Brody after doing a workshop of Cambodian Rock Band at South Coast Repertory last fall. It was fun to be in the room together again and to help Lauren craft her latest story.
At the same time as the workshop, I was able to help out during tech. week for Linda with Manhattan Theatre Club. I got to do my favorite thing in the world–line notes! Ok, it’s one of my least favorite things to do as a stage manager but it was a good experience that let me observe MTC and their team. It was a really great experience and I hope to be able to work with MTC more in the future.
Soon after that, I left for a weekend in Toronto! After two cancelled flights (thanks snowstorm Niko) I was able to drive up with staff from the Youth America Grand Prix and make it just in time to stage manage their semi-finals. YAGP is a youth competition for ages 10-18 in classical and contemporary dance. It’s one of the largest across the country and around the world. With over 300 students I had my hands full but it was amazing to have such focused and well trained students to manage. The event went off with out a hitch and taught me a lot about what I’m able to do.
The Video Games had its second performance of its extension at The Elektra Theater. It was lovely to come back to the show for a performance and reconnect with the team. The show has grown so much and the new cast members have really integrated into the chaos of it all. Sadly, I’ll be away from it for the next two performances but I know it’ll keep doing well.
Currently, I’m in tech. rehearsals for Spill at Ensemble Studio Theatre. I’ll be operating their sound and projection boards. It’s been an interesting experience and should be a thought provoking show.
After this it’s another adventure with YAGP for NYC finals and flying off to Denver for the first set of 2017 performances for 57 Chevy!
Stand-by for more.
Jonathan Castanien 