January 17

Executive Director Michael Cochran's Blog
Jan. 17, 2008 The Underpants is in the final week of rehearsals before opening. Each night the cast takes big steps toward opening night. On Sunday afternoon we have the Technical Rehearsal which is the first time the actors put on costumes, there are lights, sound, and special effects. It's called a technical rehearsal because we stop and start for the technical elements in the show. If a costume change isn't fast enough we rehearse that part a couple of times until it can be done. Generally scene changes should take less than 30 seconds. It is amazing how long 30 seconds can feel to an audience sitting in the dark waiting for something to happen. Crowns is also in rehearsal. Musical Director Doug Arnold and Production Director Mary Jane Bowles have been working hard with the cast to create our first "Studio Musical". The play will perform in the studio theatre and this is our first attempt at doing a musical in that space. The studio theatre allows the audience to be no further than 10 feet from the actor. The closest audience members could with very little effort reach out and touch the actors. Last Monday and Tuesday April had auditions for Harriet the Spy. Over 60 youth auditioned. The cast list will be posted tomorrow (Fri.) Lots of anxious young actors are eagerly awaiting that posting. Last Saturday auditions for the Charity League Follies were held. A small but talented group turned out to audition. The announcement of that rehearsal start will also happen on Friday. Tonight is an Arts Advocacy Meeting sponsored by all of the Paducah Arts Groups. It will be held at the Museum of the American Quilters at 6:30. I will be leading a presentation on how to get involved in being an advocate for the arts in local and state funding. Our big grant application was mailed off today. That is always about a 2 week project that is nerve wracking trying to present all the things we do in just a few words. We will keep our fingers crossed on that until we hear back in May or June.