Happy World Theatre Day!

Today is World Theatre Day!

If you didn't know that, don't worry, you're in good company. We here at Signature Theatre only recently discovered it, but we think it's a pretty great idea.

World Theatre Day (WTD) was instituted by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), an organization that has centers in more than 100 countries all over the world and seeks to promote the arts and communication and collaboration between artists across continents. The first WTD was celebrated on March 27th, 1961 and its popularity has only grown since.

Every year for WTD, an International Message is composed. This message is written by a prominent figure (usually from an arts-related field) and is a reflection on "Theatre and a Culture of Peace." On WTD this message is broadcast via radio, television, and the internet in more than 20 different languages in countries and ITI centers worldwide.

This year's message is composed by Dario Fo, a renowned Italian theatre artist. Read a little bit about Fo and his exceptional career below:

Dario Fo is an Italian satirist, playwright, theatre director, actor, composer and recipient of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Literature. Fo and his wife, the actress Franca Rame, founded the Campagnia Dario Fo–Franca Rame in 1959, and their humorous sketches on the television show Canzonissima soon made them popular public personalities. In 1968 Fo and Rame founded another acting group, Nuova Scena, and in 1970 they started the Collettivo Teatrale La Comune.Fo has written about 70 plays, coauthoring some of them with Rame. His plays have been translated into 30 languages, and upon awarding him the 1997 Nobel Prize in Literature, the committee called Fo a writer “who emulates the jesters of the Middle Ages in scourging authority and upholding the dignity of the downtrodden.”

Here are some ways to join the celebration:

• Listen to or read Dario Fo's message:
• www.iti-worldwide.org
• Watch a video of John Malcovich sharing the 2012 WTD International Message:
• http://bit.ly/GUAwXr
• Watch videos of people from all over the world reading WTD International Messages: 
• http://www.nycwtd.com/messages.html
• Tweet about the WTD message or about WTD festivities using the hashtag #WTD13
• Learn more about the Around-the-Globe Chain Play
• Share a facebook status about what you love about theatre
• Buy a ticket to see a show! (Signature Theatre's "The Last Five Years" begins previews on April 2nd)
• Check out some cool world theatre traditions by browsing the pictures below:



Japan: Butoh

 

Italy: Commedia dell'Arte


 



 

 



 




France: Mime



England: British Pantomime



India: Sanskrit Drama

 




Bali: Wayang Kulit (shadow puppets)

 




China: Peiking Opera

 

SOURCES

http://www.world-theatre-day.org/aboutwtd.html

http://www.tcgcircle.org/2013/02/dario-fo-to-give-world-theatre-day-message/

http://www.keralatourism.org/images/artforms/per37b.jpg

http://www.ascentmagazine.com/images/31-butoh-image__10232006114954AM.jpg

http://www.sacramentopress.com/uploads/images/prod/6f4c20ba83bb4bb2938e163f453511eb_s.jpg

http://artcaro.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/kabuki1.jpg?w=640

http://macfoto.com/sites/default/files/images/22_WayangKulit2.jpg

http://digital.library.northwestern.edu/fava/images/tablemasks.jpg

http://www.dellarte.com/UserFiles/image/Dell'Arte%20students%20in%20commedia%20finals.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/ezine/2007-05/31/xin_21050431095181675573.jpg

http://www.chinaopera.net/english/upload/Peking-Opera-Da-Jiaozan-8.jpg

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1997/fo.jpg

http://www.pcs.org/assets/uploads/Theatre-Day-Header1(2).jpg
http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-AQ620_mime1_20070924132023.jpg



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Of "Revolution" and Reflection

Now that Revolution is said and done, we've asked the students who made up the cast and crew to share some of their thoughts about being part of Signature in the Schools:

"Signature in the Schools is phenomenal. The program has helped me grow so much as an actor, a student, and as a person over such a short period of time. The sense of community and family SIS creates is just mind blowing and the commitment from everyone involved is simply fantastic. It is difficult for me to articulate all of my positive feelings for this program so just trust me when I say SIS is a beautiful thing."

- Brandi, Actor (Basma)

Patrick and Basma share a quite moment. Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria



Andy reads a moving story with the class. Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria

"Signature in the Schools is what inspired me to continue theatre in college and into the future. Without this program, I would probably have no idea what to do after high school. I also can't think of anything I would have rather done these past four years than come to rehearsals and hang out with David, Ellis, Laura, Joan and Marcella!" 

- Max, Stage Manager

Larissa and Marcus perform characatures of King Louis
and Queen Marie Antoinette for a class presentation.
Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria

"I will never forget my great experiences and the friends that I gained through Signature in the Schools. Signature brings you into a new world of theatre like no other. I will miss Signature the most after I leave high school."

- Sean, Actor (Marcus)

"Signature in the schools has been one of the best programs I have ever participated in. Not only did I learn how to work on a professional play in a professional environment, but it also broadened my interest in theatre. I have met so many wonderful people and worked with such amazing mentors and I will definitely be back next year."
- Marwa, Lighting Board Operator

The cast of "Revolution" creates a tableau to depict Arab Spring protests.

Larissa, with the help of Caroline, puts her own spin on "protest."
Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria

"It’s been amazing to have the opportunity to work alongside such talented actors and dedicated directors. Signature Theatre has provided me great exposure to the field of theatre which has broadened my view on the arts, culture and life."

- Karl, Actor (Zerah)

 

"Perhaps one of the most astounding thing about Signature In The Schools is the sense of professionalism, yet at the same time a cast and crew bond equal to that of family. Your light operator, sound operator, crew, prop crew, stage managers, and fellow actors are all there to make you feel like you are actually part of this environment that is being created. I love, and all audiences love, what Signature Theater is able to present, and this year's performance of Revolution, written by Joe Calarco, was a fantastic example. I hope everyone is able to experience the insurmountable amount of joy that I have experienced while being able to participate with Signature in the Schools." 

- Max, Actor (Patrick)


Basma watches on as Mr. Stieper comforts Patrick. Photo Credit: Dennis Deloria

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In the Round: Some Thoughts and Observations

Something you may or may not know about Signature in the Schools' premiere production of Revolution is that it will be performed on the same stage as Shakespeare's R&J, one of the plays on Signature Theatre's 2012-13 season. The stage this year is in the round, meaning that audience members are on all four sides of the stage.

The cast and crew of Revolution had an opportunity to watch Shakespeare's R&J to get an idea for the space and how it can be used. Here are some thoughts the cast members had about the show and the space:

"There was an amazing amount of motion and energy in R&J; they used the space beautifully. Seeing a show in the same space we are using really helped put together the pieces in my mind. I realized the amount of energy we need to put into our own play to involve all four sides of the audience." - Brandi

"After seeing R&J I'm excited to have the opportunity to perform in the round for the first time. Working in the round is not only a challenge, but an amazing and rewarding experience. I believe with having the audience on all four sides it becomes a lot easier to engage them and consequently put on a great show." - Karl

"Shakespeare's R&J has completely re-worked the Signature MAX theater into a beautiful, hard-wood theater in the round. I am really excited to be able to work and perform in this space because of its understated grandeur and just to be able to perform on the same stage as the fantastic show." - Zak

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Carla: Poet of the Revolution

High school senior Carla plays a charismatic and compassionate Reston high schooler named Caryna in Signature in the Schools' premiere production, Revolution. We asked Caryna to describe her Signature in the Schools experience and she wrote us this lovely poem:

"There is nothing wrong with botany!"

Carla would be lying if she said that in her sleep she drools.

She would also be lying if she said she hated Signature in the Schools.

Educating people through the magic of theatre.

During our breaks we go to Harris Teeter.

From the great director to the amazing cast,

I know these memories will forever last.

Caryna and her bestie, Maddy

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An Afternoon at Rehearsal: Brandi

In Signature in the Schools' premiere production of Revolution, actor and high school sophomore Brandi plays Basma Bouazizi, the younger sister of Tunisian revolutionary Mohammed Bouazizi. Below, Brandi takes us through a typical day at rehearsal:

A typical day of rehearsal involves the actors who are called for that day warming up with the directors with vocal exercises, stretching, and tasks involving concentration. After we are all warmed up, we jump into scene work. In rehearsals we typically run through scenes several times with the guidance of one of the directors and work on reactions, objectives, and relationships with other characters. In between working scenes, we occasionally do exercises that help with characterization and movement in-the-round. Each day we laugh and joke around, but when a serious scene is being worked or our attention is needed, we all are ready to concentrate. There is a good balance of fun and focus and you learn something new every day in rehearsal.

Reading lines for the first time.

Rehearsing  a scene with fellow actor Max while David, the director, looks on.

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Catching Up with Karl

Actor and high school student Karl plays a quiet, intelligent teen named Zerah in Signature in the Schools' premiere production of Revolution. Here, Karl shares some insights into his experience as an actor in the show:

In three sentences describe your experience with Signature in the Schools.

Signature in the Schools has been a phenomenal experience so far. It’s been amazing to have the opportunity to work alongside such talented actors and dedicated directors. Signature Theatre has provided me great exposure to the field of theatre which has broadened my view on the arts, culture and life. 

How do you feel Signature in the Schools has helped prepare you for the future?

Personally, Signature in the Schools has done a fantastic job fostering dedication, commitment, and teamwork in me; all vital characteristics to success no matter where my future may take me.  

A wise man (David) once told me this story: The story takes place back in history, when it was custom to bring wedding gifts of wine to contribute to large vat at the wedding venue where everyone else was to contribute. The bride’s family constructed a large vat, and the following evening at the wedding reception everyone brought their best wine and poured it into the vat. When they poured the wine though, do you know what poured out? Water. Pure water. See, each person that came thought to themselves, "With such a large vat and everybody else contributing wine, nobody will notice if my contribution is water. The wine will taste no different." And so each person poured in water, assuming everybody else's wine would make up the difference. And indeed the vat was filled with 100%, pure water. And such is the lesson David taught us. When you work on a team it’s expected you bring your genuine “wine”, because if not, you’re left with something that doesn’t mean much to anyone: water. You can’t control what anyone else contributes but you can give your best. Don't give water, expecting everybody else to contribute wine for you. 

What’s your favorite scene in the show? Why?

My favorite scene would definitely be the scene between Caroline, Patrick, and Zerah in the cafeteria. I love this scene because it feels so authentic and real. I think we can all relate to Zerah, in having an experience when your best friend is crushing on the cute kid, and finally decides to heed your advice and strike a conversation. At that point all you can do a is sit back and watch your best friend either kindle a new relationship or have it go in flames. 

Karl working hard at rehearsal.

Karl participating in a line-through of his favorite scene.

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Revolution: The Costumes

We're only a few weeks away from opening night for Revolution, the premiere Signature in the Schools play by Joe Calarco. As we prep for production, we thought you'd give you a sneak peak of some of the amazing costumes designer Collin Ranney is putting together for us. Needless to say, these designs have all of us very excited.

Caroline Barrett
Design by Collin Ranney

Marcus Bennington
Design by Collin Ranney

Andy Cranston
Design by Collin Ranney

Caryna Ruiz
Design by Collin Ranney

Revolution performs in the MAX at Signature on February 18th and 25th at 7:30 PM. Tickets for Revolution are free and available through the Signature Box Office at 703 820 9771.

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KidVids Part 2: French Connection

During Boot Camp, the first three weeks of rehearsal for Signature in the Schools: Revolution, the cast and crew learned all about the history behind the play. At the end of Boot Camp, they were asked to put together videos showing off what they'd learned.

Below is the video created by the second group: the French Connection. The group was assigned to create a video explaining how the French Revolution got started, including the monarchy's financial crisis and the beginnings of political upheaval. They chose to put their story in a modern setting - the overbearing King Corporation and its employees.

Check out the video below!

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