Thursday night the last regular rehearsal of Long Way... took place. The entire creative team was present. We think they deserve special recognition: Noel Wilson (playing Billy, an American Trucker), Robbie Sublett (Chris, his son), Sam Encarcion (Nini), Emma Ramos (Violetta), Director Jaime Castaneda, Executive Producer Tom Oppenheim, Fight Director J. Steven White, Production Manager/Set Designer Amanda Embry, Lighting Designer Isabella F. Byrd, Costume Designer Katherine Andreiev, Sound Designer/Technical Director Randy Yonally, Prop Supevsior Kristine Biglin, Master Carpenter Austin Tidwell, Sound Board Operator Xander Duffy, Stage Manager Ruby Ruiz, Assistant Stage Manager Ben Rendez, Wardrobe Supervisor Kristina Makowski and Jordan the House Manager have made a great team. Thursday night will be the final invited dress rehearsal. Every night thereafter will bring the following words alive for an audience…
SETTING: A garage/safehouse outside of Phoenix, an apartment building, a public phone, a truck in the desert
TIME: The Present
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Illumination
The Wednesday night rehearsal re-defined the idea of multi-tasking. When we visited the black box theater every member of the creative team was fully engaged with separate tasks, all of which will come seamlessly together for the audiences’ experience of Long Way Go Down.
Director Jaime Castañeda consulted with costume designer Katja Andreiev on wardrobe selections for actress Emma Ramos; lighting designer Isabella F. Byrd made her already subtle and flawless landscape even more refined and specific, while Technical Director Randy Yonally re-tooled the interior of the semi. Actor Noel Wilson quietly worked in the cab of the semi while Robbie Sublett and Sam Encarnacion ran lines and re-worked moments. Author Zayd Dohrn arrived to watch the run. All parts of the system were working together in pursuit of one goal.
Each team member contributed in their unique way to illuminate the story, the essence of the play, the heart of the story. One observer of the evening’s run-through reported a light, a spark, an ignition in the action that was new and invigorated. With an invited dress rehearsal on Friday and opening night on Saturday, the thrill of growth, possibility and the artistic process continued to unfold.
Director Jaime Castañeda consulted with costume designer Katja Andreiev on wardrobe selections for actress Emma Ramos; lighting designer Isabella F. Byrd made her already subtle and flawless landscape even more refined and specific, while Technical Director Randy Yonally re-tooled the interior of the semi. Actor Noel Wilson quietly worked in the cab of the semi while Robbie Sublett and Sam Encarnacion ran lines and re-worked moments. Author Zayd Dohrn arrived to watch the run. All parts of the system were working together in pursuit of one goal.
Each team member contributed in their unique way to illuminate the story, the essence of the play, the heart of the story. One observer of the evening’s run-through reported a light, a spark, an ignition in the action that was new and invigorated. With an invited dress rehearsal on Friday and opening night on Saturday, the thrill of growth, possibility and the artistic process continued to unfold.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
100% Natural
Sam Encarnacion plays the role of Nini. Sam graduated from the Stella Adler Studio’s Conservatory program in 2006. His New York credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon/Theseus) and Topdog/Underdog (Booth) among others.
When we stopped into Long Way... rehearsal on Tuesday night we thought Sam was snoozing on the set, but he was working on erasing the line between living and acting. Some might ask, “Hard at work? Or hardly working?” Sam was working toward making his onstage life as natural as possible, the ultimate goal of which is to make his performance so believable that the acting is invisible. Sam is pictured at left.
When we stopped into Long Way... rehearsal on Tuesday night we thought Sam was snoozing on the set, but he was working on erasing the line between living and acting. Some might ask, “Hard at work? Or hardly working?” Sam was working toward making his onstage life as natural as possible, the ultimate goal of which is to make his performance so believable that the acting is invisible. Sam is pictured at left.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tech Weekend
Long Way Go Down had its tech rehearsal over the weekend of June 5th and 6th. Director Jaime Castañeda worked with Amanda Embry, set designer, and J. Steven White, fight director, to perfect moments where their work intersected. In our commitment to non-spoiler blogging, we can disclose no more than White’s phrase to describe the moment: “blood truck”. White also reported that the show is “very environmental”. Embry said that the show is performed almost in a full round. Snap shots from tech can be seen at left.
Growing the Company
Since 2002 the Lab has produced 17 plays, ten of which (including Long Way Go Down) have been new works. The Lab has a company of actors, directors and designers numbering roughly 40. Company members are often Studio faculty and alumni. Auditions are held as needed. Long Way Go Down is the first major production of the Lab to employ artists from beyond the company. Director Jaime Castañeda was introduced to the Studio by playwright Zayd Dohrn. Actress Emma Ramos was introduced by Castañeda. Castañeda and Ramos are pictured at left with actor and Adler grad Robbie Sublett.
Lab Theater presents Long Way Go Down
The Stella Adler Studio of Acting's professional theater company, the Harold Clurman Lab Theater, is presenting new work in June. Long Way Go Down by Zayd Dohrn runs from June 12th through June 27th.
Mr. Dohrn is the Studio’s 2009-2010 Playwright-in-Residence. Dohrn (Haymarket) has been hailed by The New York Times as a writer who is gaining the attention of major theaters around the country. Mr. Dohrn is the second annual participant in the Playwright-in-Residence program which focuses on supporting emerging writers.
Long Way Go Down is about a young Mexican couple, trapped at a way station when they can't pay off their debts to the American coyotes who smuggled them across the border. The play explores personal and national borders and boundaries. Directed by Jaime Castañeda, the cast features Sam Encarnacion (Conservatory ’08), Emma Ramos, Robbie Sublett (NYU ’06), Noel Wilson (Faculty).
The Harold Clurman Laboratory Theater Company (or The Lab) is a young and growing professional theater company with a commitment to supporting new work. Stella Adler had a reverence for the written word. So much so that Script Interpretation, a class which focused on the playwright and their intent, was a cornerstone of her technique. In accordance with Stella’s legendary and deep regard for the playwright, the Studio is proud to support and nurture gifted writers like Zayd Dohrn and important plays like Long Way Go Down.
Seating for Long Way Go Down is extremely limited. Tickets are $18 each. Reserve now via Smart Tix. Click here to make reservations or call Smart Tix at (212)868-4444 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm; Saturdays, 10am to 8pm and Sundays, 10am to 6pm.
Long Way Go Down performance dates
Saturday, June 12 at 8pm
Sunday, June 13 at 2pm
Thursday, June 17 at 8pm
Friday, June 18 at 8pm
Saturday, June 19 at 8pm
Sunday, June 20 at 2pm
Thursday, June 24 at 8pm
Friday, June 25 at 8pm
Saturday, June 26 at 8pm
Sunday, June 27 at 2pm
Mr. Dohrn is the Studio’s 2009-2010 Playwright-in-Residence. Dohrn (Haymarket) has been hailed by The New York Times as a writer who is gaining the attention of major theaters around the country. Mr. Dohrn is the second annual participant in the Playwright-in-Residence program which focuses on supporting emerging writers.
Long Way Go Down is about a young Mexican couple, trapped at a way station when they can't pay off their debts to the American coyotes who smuggled them across the border. The play explores personal and national borders and boundaries. Directed by Jaime Castañeda, the cast features Sam Encarnacion (Conservatory ’08), Emma Ramos, Robbie Sublett (NYU ’06), Noel Wilson (Faculty).
The Harold Clurman Laboratory Theater Company (or The Lab) is a young and growing professional theater company with a commitment to supporting new work. Stella Adler had a reverence for the written word. So much so that Script Interpretation, a class which focused on the playwright and their intent, was a cornerstone of her technique. In accordance with Stella’s legendary and deep regard for the playwright, the Studio is proud to support and nurture gifted writers like Zayd Dohrn and important plays like Long Way Go Down.
Seating for Long Way Go Down is extremely limited. Tickets are $18 each. Reserve now via Smart Tix. Click here to make reservations or call Smart Tix at (212)868-4444 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm; Saturdays, 10am to 8pm and Sundays, 10am to 6pm.
Long Way Go Down performance dates
Saturday, June 12 at 8pm
Sunday, June 13 at 2pm
Thursday, June 17 at 8pm
Friday, June 18 at 8pm
Saturday, June 19 at 8pm
Sunday, June 20 at 2pm
Thursday, June 24 at 8pm
Friday, June 25 at 8pm
Saturday, June 26 at 8pm
Sunday, June 27 at 2pm
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