Do you know what goes on behind the scenes? Here’s a look into Farrington Performing Arts Academy’s upcoming “Into The Woods” stage production.
The process of creating a play from start to finish requires a bunch of steps prior to its execution. Auditions and casting, designing costumes and props, and full-run rehearsals are some of the many things to think about while planning a stage production.
During auditioning, directors of a stage production assess auditionees for their vocal quality, acting skills, and body movements to ensure the right person for the right role.
“We had auditions, callbacks, and then we had a read-through with the whole cast. In terms of props, hair and makeup, costumes and all that, they’re basically sprinkled into the show as rehearsals go on.” Kirstyn Galius, Assistant Director
Lucienne Jamero, who plays Jack’s mother in “Into The Woods,” shares her auditioning experience before she was cast into the play. “I was very nervous. I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first time auditioning for anything. But once I stepped on stage I felt less nervous since they were nice and helped me out.”
Kirstyn Galius, the assistant director for “Into The Woods” noted that this is only one part of the process. “We had auditions, callbacks, and then we had a read-through with the whole cast. In terms of props, hair and makeup, costumes and all that, they’re basically sprinkled into the show as rehearsals go on.”
A costume designer's job is to tell the story through clothing based on research, brainstorming, and creating. Erin Kamikawa, the costume designer for ‘“Into The Woods” explains the creative process. “Myself and some of the tech volunteers all took measurements of the participants in the play, and that gives me a rough guide as to sizes. Then I research that time period to look at different elements of fashion. Because (Into The Woods) is more of a fantastical, storybook vibe, I looked at source material from Hansel and Gretel,” Kamikawa says, “then I’ll do a (vision) board or sketch designs that I want.”
Kamikawa explains that a single project can take ten minutes to several days, or a simple shopping trip. If a design’s sewing, vision, or measurements are not met, adjustments must be made, or even restarting the whole project is necessary.
Rehearsing a play is a very critical part before executing a stage production, as it helps prepare actors in developing and practicing their performances for the big show. Jamero explains the rehearsal routine over the past few weeks. “What we usually do is that before we start practicing parts of the play, we do vocal warm-ups or we go over lines and notes that are given to us to improve our performance.”
Blocking and cleaning up scenes are also a part of the rehearsal process, which Galius is in charge of. “We clean the scenes, we tighten the screws, and we make sure that it’s ready for the performance.” When something doesn’t look right, Galius makes suggestions to the directors on how the blocking of a scene could be altered to give the “truth of the story.”
FPAC’s “Into The Woods” is currently still a work in progress, yet on the road to completion. To preorder tickets, click here.