Chewing The Scenery
Star of the Show
Now, this is going to be tricky. Actors represent us. They tell our stories. But, people normally don’t socially distance or wear masks. So, how can we make sure all actors on stage remain safe and healthy? How can shows remain the same since they went dark in March? Let’s go deeper and talk to a director who knows exactly what it’s like to be an actor.
A Conversation with Michael Arden.
Michael needs no introduction of course. He’s an accomplished actor plus a Drama Desk and Tony Award nominated director. There is no other person more qualified to aid me in this project.
So, what’s the problem?
Michael told me space in our interview. Actors are crammed backstage, in rehearsal rooms, partnering together onstage for dance numbers, kissing, screaming, you name it. There are a multitude of opportunities for the virus to spread between actors in a cast. Bryan Perri was upfront about how Covid-19 ripped through Jagged Little Pill. Once one gets sick, they all do.
In our interview, I asked Michael about a challenging obstacle he faced while working on Once on This Island. He told me a remarkable story that embodies the correct way to manage creatives through change and obstacles. The show was having issues moving sand, demonstrating one scene ending and another beginning. Michael and his team invested in rakes and shovels to help move the sand, but it was too cumbersome and wasted time. Frustrated, he asked his team what else they could drum up to fix the issue. A wardrobe assistant brought forward a type of fabric that easily whisked away sand, making it look like it wasn’t even there. They lined the stage with that sand and were able to quickly move it to create a beautiful transition.
Michael understands that managing creatives involves large amounts of trust. “Yes, I’m steering the ship, but I don’t know as much about the anchor as the anchorman.” A director is the conduit between all creative factions form the rehearsal room to tech. He trusted his team members to find a solution. And he knows that he’s not going to have all the answers.
How is Michael staying creative during this time? He’s hitting the pavement- keeping actors and other theater people employed.
Check out his Kickstarter for his latest show that keeps actors and audiences safe!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/michaelarden/alone-together-site-specific-socially-distanced-theatre
“You have to have faith the obstacle and restraint begets opportunity and innovation. ”
— Michael Arden
So, how does Michael’s story relate to us? It goes back to the Vroom-Yetton model of leadership. Michael used the G model and had his team (who understand fabrics intimately) come up with a solution. With this, we can use his help in aiding us on creating suggestions for actors.
Data Mining
I knew I had to poll actors to collect data on their stance of returning. Some actors will be more excited than others, so I wanted to get feedback from Equity actors. Full disclosure, I also will be using the data collected from this poll to influence my finance section.
Click the button below to view the data
Getting Signed After Showcase
Don’t think I forgot about lighting designers, directors, writers, and set designers. I wanted to sit down with an agent to gain that perspective, so I contacted Eric Sweeney, former literary agent at Abrams to hear his thoughts. He was adamant that his clients would have very little risk of being infected, because they can do most of their work from home.
Even during tech, they’re able to socially distance themselves away from other people, or can video in if anything needs to be addressed. Lighting and stage designers need to be present, but they can be socially distanced at tech tables. Not as bad as we thought it would be for those creatives, but we still have to keep them in mind.
We’ve Covered a lot of Ground. Now, Let’s Get to the Good Stuff.
From interviewing these creatives, I realized one thing they all have in common- their passion to get back to work. That is why this project is so prevalent. Not only is it hurting their wallets, but it’s hurting their mental wellbeing. I want to help my fellow creatives get back to work, so the next section focuses on just that. Let’s take a look.