The Men Arrive by Annie Foster

Well hello! Long time no see. As you can imagine, it’s been an insanely busy and wonderful couple of weeks! We’re really starting to get the word on Tidewater Rep out in our region, whether through print ads, going out into the city and distributing posters, or the radio interviews and advertisements our artistic director has been recording. Tickets are starting to sell, but we’re encouraging people now more than ever - buy a ticket! Come opening night! We can’t wait to see those first few faces in the audience on Wednesday, June 18th.

Quilters is really getting going now - they had their design run through last night, which, though I wasn’t able to attend, I have heard went very well. The design run through is basically where all of the designers - lighting, scenic, props, costume, sound, et al - are able to come and watch the show while its still in progress so they can get a clearer notion of the work they still have ahead of them. It’s not a performance, but it does give the actors a unique opportunity to have an ‘audience’ at an early part of their process.

I wasn’t able to go to the Design Run for a very good reason - our very first rehearsal for Of Mice and Men was yesterday evening! Our out-of-town performers for the production arrived Sunday and Monday and I can’t tell you what a thrill it’s been to meet and get to know them. We have actors from all over the country coming together to work on a play that every single one of us loves dearly, and that’s an exhilarating feeling. We read through the play last night, and there are simply no words to describe how happy I am to be assistant directing what is sure to be a phenomenal show. I can’t wait to get back in rehearsal tonight.

Both sets of cast have had a chance to meet and greet - it’s funny how we’ve gone from an entire production of women to a production that’s almost all men. We’re finally balancing out the sexes here at TRR!

Our crew is working harder than ever now, and as our time to move the Quilters set into the Barn approaches, their work will get even more intense. As for our administrative staff…Elizabeth, Laura, Katie and I (and Steven, of course) are actually breathing a little easier these days! Though there’s still lots of hard work to be done, it’s flowing smoother and it’s a whole lot more fun as more and more actors arrive to brighten our days!

I hope everyone has their season subscriptions - and is telling everyone they know to get on board!