July 2012

 

Charlotte's Web opens July 12

The sound of children at play will soon be amplified at East City Park by the ruckus of some two-legged farm animals.These young animals, including geese, sheep, pigs and even a spider, are part of Idaho Repertory Theatre for Youth's production of Charlotte's Web.

This hourlong musical adaptation of E.B. White's classic book will be presented as part of the Moscow Children's Entertainment Series 6 p.m. July 12 in East City Park. The production also will run 6 p.m. July 13-14 at the Hartung Outdoor Theater on the corner of Stadium Drive and Sixth Street. Admission is FREE for all performances.

Twenty-one children were cast in the production, and rehearsals have been ongoing each weekday since mid-June. Director Zac Curtis, a University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts graduate, has been working with the young actors to ready them for the stage.

“This is such an interesting show to work on because we have kids in the show that range from age 5 to 16,” he said. “This is a challenge in making sure each actor is challenged at their own level ... I’m always amazed by what these kids are able to do."



Suzie DuVal, IRTY education director and producer for Charlotte’s Web, said actors were cast for characters based on desired involvement and ability — so children feel comfortable in their roles and confident during each scene.
Younger, shyer children were given the opportunity to play farm animals with few lines but many opportunities to set the scene and showcase their acting ability using animal noises. Large roles of main characters like “Wilbur” are played by several actors.

“The youth cast in the production are learning not only how to put on a play but about how they might continue their theatrical interests in college,” DuVal said. “Several members of the cast are interested in careers in theatre.”

UI Theatre students Max Holley and Paul Barrois are working on costume and set design respectively.
Holley said costumes were created by adding small but strong details to clothing to help each child embody their character.

“My idea for the show is to use iconic pieces to mold each character. We’re not about making a giant pig suit to be ‘Wilbur’,” he said.

Each child has a base look, and different pieces are used to transform them into their character. So geese wear turtlenecks to emphasize their long necks and sheep get cotton ball accents to hint at their wooly coats.
The set for the play was also designed using small additions that make a big impact while still being portable — as the set will need to move with its actors from East City Park to the Hartung Outdoor Theater.

Scene changes will be dictated by additions that don't slow down the action of the play. For example, pennant flags, a sign and striped curtains will be added to transform “Wilbur’s” barn into the barn at the fairgrounds.
IRTY intern Ashleigh Stedman, a senior at Moscow High School, has been working with the crew every step of the way to bring the children's tale to the stage.

"Just yesterday (July 3) Paul taught me how to use a table saw, something I've never done before in my life!" she said. "Suzie has taught me so much about technique and the processes a designer goes through in building a set, creating a model, refining ideas and thumbnail sketches, and painting techniques ..."

Stedman said she would eventually like to study at the UI theatre department.

"I can't act, but I would love to be behind the scenes and be a part of making those actors look the best they can in the design aspect of theater," she said.

For more information, call (208) 885-6465.

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Looking in the Mirror

Notes from Artistic Director Ann Hoste

Many of you will take road trips this summer-- to the coast, to state parks, to family reunions. No matter how certain you are of your destination, you may consult a road map to find the surest possible route.

Here at Idaho Repertory Theatre, we are very clear about our destination: quality theatre. To find our way, we consult the IRT/ITY Mission Statements. These documents, like reliable road maps, keep us on track as we move ahead. IRTY’s stated goal, for example, is “to provide young people with high quality, innovative, participatory theatre arts education and training, taught by theatre professionals and teaching artists.” That brings us to our July destination: Charlotte’s Web.

This musical interpretation of E.B. White’s classic tale will be presented by local youth as part of IRTY’s summer theatre camp. Please join these aspiring actors as they share their work; they are the artists of tomorrow and need your support. In keeping with IRT’s mission “to provide theatre at affordable prices,” Charlotte’s Web performances are free of charge. So load the whole family into the car for a quick trip to the theatre! 

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Tickets on sale

Tickets to IRT's summer production of Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker are $10 for general admission.  Tickets can be purchased in advance tickets with a debit/credit card by calling (208) 885-6465 or stopping by
Shoup 201 on the corner of Rayburn and Sixth streets in Moscow.

Advance tickets can also be purchased by sending check payment to:

Idaho Repertory Theatre
PO Box 442008
Moscow, ID 83843-2008

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Rigging Racket

Sights and Sounds from the Hartung Theater

All the rigging equipment has been hung back up, the floor practically sparkles it's so pristine and the paint frame in the shop works like new. Phase I of the Hartung Renovation is complete - and with plenty of time for rehearsals to start up for Idaho Repertory Theatre's summer production of Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker.

View more details and pictures of Phase I progress here.

More changes in store for the Hartung. Fundraising is in the works to update the theater's seating and lobby. Learn more here.

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A Piece of IRT History ... from 1990

From the 1990 Backstage at Idaho Repertory Theatre newsletter:

Shakespeare's classic story of two young lovers torn apart by their feuding families. This dramatic tragedy, filled with the lyrics, poetry and pageantry of the Renaissance, is Shakespeare's most compelling and well-known love story.

Romeo and Juliet finds the star-crossed lovers struggling against their fate, drawn toward their own destruction by circumstances beyond their control.

Romeo and Juliet has been the inspiration for scores of places and movies (such as the Academy Award-winning West Side Story) with like themes. It has been performed more than any other play written, from high school productions to Broadway. Romeo and Juliet, the love story of all time.

Front section seats were $7 and season tickets were $24.

The production was directed by Bill Watson, then associate artistic director. Bill taught acting, and voice and movement at the University of Texas Austin. He had worked with IRT the past two seasons.

The set for Romeo and Juliet was designed by Gary Echkart, then the head of the Technical Theatre Design Program at the State University College in Fredonia, New York. He had designed sets for more than 100 productions.