dana's blog

This past weekend, we previewed and opened "Noises Off" to sold out houses.  Though I wouldn't say the week is usually slow but it certainly isn't always as busy as it was for this one.  Stage West was packed with people: both long time season ticket holders and first timers.  We had to turn away multiple groups because there simply wasn't anywhere to seat them. 

Next week, Stage West opens her first production of "Noises Off."  My big pregnant tummy prevents me from working on the show directly but I have a nice list of things to tackle in any case.  I hope to have a new podcast and video available to you before the week's out.  How much I'll be doing on either of those projects is unknown.  Justin Flowers, actor and techie extraordinaire, is pretty self-sufficient with the podcast and our Emerging Artists are in charge of making a video.  They are fantastically creative and probably won't need my help either.

The week after a show closes is usually quiet in voice but active with tasks.  Rehearsals for the next show start (though we started "Noises Off" rehearsals last week because of the size and scale of the show), marquees need changing, costumes need final cleaning, sets need to be struck, props need storing... In addition to getting ready for the next show, it's a good emotional closure from the last one.

Sweetest Swing is closing this weekend. It has had a good run. May is traditionally a difficult month for theatre! Just think about all the other events going on:

Graduations

Prom

Recitals

Weddings

Family reunions

Finals

Moving

Other summer festivals

Golf tournaments

It went great.

I'm so proud of the production!

We received a great review from the Fort Worth Star Telegram on Sunday. I'm sure it's still available online if anyone is interested in reading it. I'd post it here but I'm not sure if the blog-area is the best place to post reviews. I'm not even sure if Stage West plans on posting them anywhere on the website. I guess we'll find out soon enough, huh?

It's so nice to get to the first preview of a show. Sweetest Swing was no exception.

After 3 weeks of rehearsals, the days leading up to first preview usually involve multiple people saying "we need an audience" multiple times. That's generally a sign that things are on the right track but there's not much more to be done until that last crucial element, the audience, is added.