Lighting Plot & Design

Courtesy of Dan West:

DMW Light Plot 6

This is the earliest version of the light plot for DMW I decided to go with a basic “Front/Side” light plot because the scrim in the back of the set would not allow for proper backlighting positions.  Another reason I opted for this type of orientation for the lights is because it gives me maximum flexibility in setting up my lighting areas. Anyone who has read the script knows that the action shifts from place to place rapidly throughout the script. With this setup I am able to alternate between any of the three lights per acting area as my key and fill with the other two.  This has come in really handy in differentiating between the industrial vs. non-industrial locations in the story.

Rehearsal and Production Update

Yesterday we ran Act I Off Book. I was pleased with many of the cast members for having worked hard to learn their lines – particularly the actor playing Matt and one of the actors playing Sr. Helen.  While we did not have a complete cast due to a variety of conflicts, the run went smoothly and we were able to go through it twice to accommodate the double casting. It was particularly helpful for our two guards because they have all of the set shifts. This production is proving the adage that what may appear “simple” is actually very “complex.” By utilizing 3 chairs and 2 metal carts for every scene, the student actors are having to remember multiple configurations. It will get easier for them as we continue to run the show. We have a challenge in that our space is a black box and the playing area is 20′ wide by 15′ deep. All of the actors are “on stage” in a gallery spect-actor space in open wings from which they make all of their entrances. Some parts are doubled so we are making
simple costume changes to signify character change. We are hoping to locate enough of the old steel case metal chairs for the actors because we want a cold, institutional feel. However this is proving more difficult than originally thought. Today I went to Ikea and purchased the carts we are using and 4 black and stainless steel chairs to try out.
This morning, I spent 5 hours with our student costume designer, Anna and her assistant, Ali, pulling costumes at FCLO. We found many items and overall the pull was a success. We are still missing a few costumes.
Anna has proven to have a good eye for “look.” She knows what she wants and justifies her choices artistically.

-Amy Luskey-Barth

Characterization – In Class Exploration

The SMCHS cast of Dead Man Walking is in its third week of rehearsal. We began with an exploration of the complex issue of the death penalty. Utilizing the study guide from the DMW School Theatre Project, students created a spectrum of opinion about the issue first from their personal perspective and then as their character. Some students were surprised by how their characters were conflicted. For example, Matt’s mother, Lucille, had great difficulty with the question of whether she believed that her son should or shouldn’t be put to death for his crime. The students playing Hope and Walter strongly disagreed with the statement that the death penalty was a deterrent. After the discussion, students were asked to group themselves according to: The victims, The system, The Church, and Society. They brainstormed on beliefs for each group and then created a tableau representing these beliefs. This proved to be very powerful. After this, the cast was put through an exercise focused on the progression of time on the day of the execution. The tableau and time exercises were adapted from Boal’s Theatre of Oppression.

~Amy Luskey-Barth

Students – Please comment on the experience below.

Scenic Breakdown by Scene and Character

Another laudable effort from Anna A.

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=1TIUn1KhReVMEvPjSsz408eu07ez6Q-eLkclhIm_jkbg9KrNBbSAxQK6JZTm7&hl=en&authkey=CLqcl8kC

and also…

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjQpgkTODGDwdGxlUlpGZkxUYUltTkFlM2MwaEpUMEE&hl=en&authkey=COPMw5YF

These are public docs, don’t edit them unless you need to.

Scenic Breakdown by Character and Scene

Nice job, Anna A.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjQpgkTODGDwdC00eUtqZlk0ckJVY2E0clhjVVREZGc&hl=en&authkey=CO7R6qQJ

This is a public document that can be edited by anyone who opens it, so be careful to only change it if you need to.

Prop List

ACT I:

Scene 2:
Piece of paper
Folders (Marked correspondence with letter from Matt)
Pen

Scene 4:
Cross Necklace for Helen
Bowl for guard
Brown, leather cuffs for Matt
Paper on Farley’s desk
Cross on desk? Something else?

Scene 5:
Cigarette
Photo of Matt, age 2
Folder

Scene 6:
Blankets

Scene 7:
File regarding Matt

Scene 8:
Newspaper clippings

Scene 9:
Newspaper clippings around Prejean and Colleen
Phone

Scene 10:
Twenty bill
Receipt

Scene 12:
Cigarette
Picture, Matt age 6

Scene 14:
Cameras for Reporters

Scene 15:
Pen and pad

Scene 17:
Boxes
Picture of Walter

Scene 20:
Lamp

Scene 24B:
Signs

ACT II

Scene 26:
Stuff for Farley’s desk

Scene 27:
Machine

Scene 28:
A man’s suit

Scene 29:
Stuff on Farley’s desk
Cassette player

Scene 30:
Cigarette

Scene 31:
Cameras (flashes)
Papers for Governor’s Desk

Scene 33:
Clock
Polygraph Machine
2 Phones (one for Hilton, one for Prejean)

Scene 34:
Clock
White Bags
Kleenex for Lucille

Scene 35:
Food for Matt and Prejean
Phone

Scene 37:
Clock

Phone
Typewriter for Sectary
Pens
Tissue
Cross Necklace
Cigarette

Scene 39:
Bible
Machine

Scene 41:
Stethoscope for Doctor

Scene 42:
Box of Matt’s personal effects (boots, bible)

Sound Effects Chart

Great work here from Dylan B.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AjQpgkTODGDwdF9ndDBTdzR6YWc5TGNtcHVoLUtFZ1E&hl=en&authkey=CNiGyaoK

This spreadsheet is a public dosument and can be modified when you open it, so please be careful and only modify it if you need to.

Scenic 3D Model

Download the file here. You will need Google Earth or Sketchup to view it.

Scenic Front View – Low Vantage

Scenic Ground Plan