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.