“Is this house forever cursed? Shall there be killing after killing forever?”
This year’s Drama entry for Reavis’s 2015-2016 competition season is Electra. It’s crew consists of Thomas Witting and Erika Banick (Directors), along with Michelle Host (Costumes), Dennis Anastasopoulos (Tech Director) and Joseph Illichman (Special Effects). A greek tragedy that has been adapted on numerous occasions still holds true to its main message: the cycle of revenge, and the question of, “did you really get what you wanted?”
We sat down with the directors to get a better understanding behind some interesting details of the show.
Costume choices are definitely interesting--what exactly inspired those choices? Was it Michelle Host's idea? Who made the costumes?
“We came to Ms. Host with a vision of a survivalist, dystopian theme. We said, ‘Think Hunger Games.’ We showed her the images that inspired our set design. She, in turn, sent us photos of the kinds of things she was thinking about for the characters. We loved her photos and gave her the go-ahead to start building the costumes. She did EVERYTHING. She shopped for the basics, pulled some stuff from Reavis, and she modified the garments in a variety of ways to achieve the look they have now.”
What was it like seeing the set for the first time in person? Do certain colors foreshadow moments in the show? What is your favorite set piece and why? Which one was most difficult to do any blocking on, if any?
“Well, remember that we saw it come together each week—so there was no real ‘first time.’ However, seeing it on the stage for competition is very satisfying and moving. It’s a powerful set. We are proud of it. We do use red lighting for certain moments in order to intensify the mood—namely, when Electra’s desire for revenge swells. I would say our favorite set pieces are the faux metal beams and the ramp. They look terrific. The ladder is a bit of a struggle and a little awkward at times for the actors, but they manage.”
What were some factors kept in mind when casting the show? Who has taken the most leaps? Recount a moment when an actor took a huge risk.
“For this show, we needed people with rich vocals. The piece calls for it, with its extended monologues. ALL of the actors have grown so, so much. We are insanely proud of them. I can’t help but mention Teresa Estrada; it is her first lead role, and it’s a brutal one for a 16 year old girl to pull off. She has done it with grace. She has worked extremely hard.”
What pieces of the script do you wish you could perform (that had to be cut)?
“ACTUALLY, this is one of the easiest plays we’ve ever cut. We did not have to take out any characters or whole scenes.”
How is this year similar to last year's show? How is it different? What is your #1 goal going into State finals and why?
Both shows are rooted in history, which is pretty cool. Ultimately, they are both heartbreaking in their own ways. Overall, though, the shows are very different. Last year’s was lovely; it was subtle, charming, and intellectual. This year’s is strikingly powerful in its presentation, and it focuses on gut-level, base urges that define us. It’s epic in its scope—both in that it comes from Ancient Greece and that our vision for the show focuses on the endless cycle of revenge and how that has manifested itself in all countries throughout the ages. The goal for State is ALWAYS the same: to grow as much as possible over the week and to arrive in Springfield ready to tell an important story and leave it all on the stage in the Purple Rain.
As directors, where do you feel you've excelled the most? Is there anything you have personally improved on throughout the process?
“Well, there are a lot of things we’ve learned over the years, and that’s what makes us good. Of course, there is still a lot for us to learn. We excel at effective collaboration. We depend on one another’s strengths, and we work in tandem to accomplish a variety of things. I think what makes us stand out is that we focus on theatre education. Our goal is to teach our cast members what they need to know in order to be successful in any show. We use a variety of lessons and exercises at different times in the process to help our students. Over the past 16 years, we have fine-tuned our process and become a fairly well-oiled machine.”
Current Awards: Superior ranking at the SSC Conference Festival with a Techcellence for Large Set Award, and Sectional Champions! Cast and Crew will be down at the University of Illinois @ Springfield competing this upcoming weekend!
Yesterday I saw a group of people preform "Alice @ Wonderland" and whenever someone said 'wonderland' everyone had to dance so then this really hot dude just twerked and first I was like WOah then I was like WAOH then I was like woah and then I was like "sit on my face"
My old high school is taking their Group Interpretation piece AND Contest Play to State this weekend
I'm so incredibly proud of them for it, too. I still have yet to see either, but I am so excited to this weekend at U of I in Springfield.
For their Group Interpretation piece (for those who don't know what the heck I'm talking about, it is a stage adaptation of a book, using no props, levels, and cross-focus acting to pull it off) is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It wasn't until I heard they were doing it that I decided to finally give the book a try, and I fell in love with it all at once.
ANYWAYS...their GI took second place at sectionals, and advanced to State, which is this weekend. Maybe John Green will hear about it, maybe not. But I think it would be awesome if he did.
As for the contest play, Children of a Lesser God...I really don't know much about the play at all, besides that it involves sign language. It took second in sectionals, and is also advancing to State.
My favorite part about this show, though, has to do with one of the actors. I learned today that she is going to pursue a degree in acting and ASL (American Sign Language). To be that dedicated to something that you learned how to do for a play is freaking amazing.
Be prepared for more follow-up posts this weekend while I'm seeing shows at State!
i prayed to st. jude for strength and guidance. i know he answered my prayer, because i understood that the lilac was a sign from father. he had paid maurice to plant the lilac so that i would know to bury her in the garden. she was too evil for the cemetary. i stared at her like a snake. she was just lying there, like a dead snake. she was down there making noises, but it was near on to the moonrise, so i knew she was dead. i grabbed a shovel and started scraping dirt over her dead, wiggling body. before i could finish, the earth over her started to rise. the earth didn't want her body! but i shoveled faster and hit the snake over the head and then it was peaceful. the moon was up, the holy rosary was silvery and white again, and the fire was far, far away.
