Production Assistant Rebecca Rowlett wore a Fitbit during one of Henry IV, Part One’s tech rehearsals. During the five hours, she logged 17,000 steps—that’s eight miles, comparable to playing in a professional soccer game!
OSF received a significant new national grant from the Time Warner Foundation to support our Latinx Play Project (LxPP) weekend, which will take place April 28–30. Included are two play readings, a panel discussion, a variety show, a Cafecito, three of OSF’s main stage productions, including Mojada: A Medea In Los Angeles by Luis Alfaro, the world premiere of Hannah and the Dread Gazebo by Jiehae Park and the world premiere of UniSon, a new musical inspired by August Wilson’s poetry by OSF’s ensemble in residence, UNIVERSES.
“Last year, Stephanie Hyland, an audio describer [who provide live audio commentary to playgoers who are sight-impaired] on The Winter’s Tale, reached out to ask me for insight in how to describe some costumes she didn’t have words for. I provided her with a copy of the dressing sheets the design assistants provide to Wardrobe and the cast. These sheets have fitting photos, cast name and character and what the clothing items are. It gave Stephanie a chance to use accepted costume terminology for specialty pieces like Whisk and Petticoat and Breeches, Kimono, Obi, etc. An example this season would be in Mojada, which has a culturally specific top called a Huipil.
Based on last year’s successful communication, I have connected our design assistants with the audio describers. I will continue to foster this connection. I hope we can invite them to see the clothes up close at some point as well.”—Heather T. Carleton, Costume Shop Workroom Supervisor
OSF’s American Revolutions-commissioned Roe recently had a successful run at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. One critic from the Washington Post returned for a second viewing of the show and wrote an inspiring article about the experience. As the article forcefully describes the polarizing conflicts within our society that Roe mirrors, we were also touched by an incident that took place at a post-show discussion. Cast member Sarah Jane Agnew relates:
“I just wanted to share a moment that happened during the Roe post-show conversation this afternoon. During the discussion, one woman shared that she had met the woman sitting next to her at the show, whom she would have never met otherwise, and they got to talking. She started crying as she explained that the two had made different decisions in their lifetime, but this show gave them a common ground on which to discuss these choices, and for that she was very thankful. The woman next to her held her hand as she shared this. A very nice reminder of what it’s all about!”
Norma McCorvey, the real life plaintiff in the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case and a character in OSF’s play Roe, died Feb. 18 at the age of 69. The cast found out about her death 45 minutes before the matinee that day at Arena Stage. Roe playwright Lisa Loomer quickly wrote a short speech, which Sara Bruner, who plays Norma, read at the curtain call of that show and the next two performances. Reports are that there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Roe is now playing at Berkeley Repertory Theatre until April 2. Here’s Sara Bruner’s Twitter post.
A Twitter post from someone who’s impressed with our 2017 lineup:
“Have been coming every year since 1998. I wish I could address everyone involved with the Festival, but especially the actors who are so full of love for their craft and for their audience. We are so grateful to have a place to come every year that fills us with joy and that reminds us of the good in all of us. Your work is so important. I wish I could somehow express how important it is, especially now in our cynical, faithless time. Thank you for your gift every year to us!!—David Hohlbein
“Thanks for the quick response! OSF has the best ordering and premier support experience of any arts organization I engage with. My husband calls you the ‘Amazon of Arts.’—from a patron, praising the Box Office.
“Shakespeare in Love is stunning and fun. Mojada ripped my heart apart. Julius Caesar got my pulse racing. I may have to have medical attention after I see Henry. Wow! What a beginning to the 2017 season.”