"A Half-Constructed House," Circle Mirror Transformation

Contributed by Lisa Timmel, Director of New Work

One of the great pleasures of working behind the scenes at a theatre company is the joyful terror of a first real run-through. On Wednesday, a handful of staff members including Bethany Ford (associate production manager), Charles Haugland (literary associate), Christopher Wigle (producing diretcor), and myself attended a run thru of Circle Mirror Transformation. The actors and director are now at a very particular turning point in the rehearsal process. They've worked individual beats and scenes. They've begun to learn blocking. They are all "off-book," meaning that the actors have memorized their lines, but still need to call for a prompt every now and again. They are working the language of the play into their bodies. And so, an early run-through like today's is a bit like talking a walk thru of your half-constructed house with your architect and your contractor: the cabinets are in but they are waiting for that final finish, walls are constructed but the paneling, the carpeting, the fixtures — the things that make a sturdy structure a home — are waiting to be installed. And that's what Director Melia Bensussen and her incredible cast will be doing over the next week, turning an expertly built but unvarnished production into a lived-in world.

Spreading the word about Poetry Out Loud

From Lynne Johnson, associate director of education:

Poetry Out Loud recruitment took a new turn by way of a Poetry Out Loud Informational Get-Together, hosted by the Huntington's Education Department (MA State Coordinators for Poetry Out Loud) on Tuesday, October 5th. Twelve high school teachers, interested in learning more about POL came to the Huntington's conference room to meet with teachers from other schools and the Huntington's education staff to hear how teachers have had success with instituting the competition into their schools.

Anne Ford from Burlington High School and Dave Londino from Malden High School shared their stories and inspired the new teachers to hop on board. Huntington education Staff showed a PowerPoint presentation to show teachers the basic nuts and bolts of running the competition. 2009-2010 State Champion, Wilmene Hercule powerfully recited the poem, "The Song of the Smoke" by W.E.B. DuBois, and talked about her experiences at the Nationals in Washington, D.C. Piped in on speakerphone, Jamele Adams, poet, shared one of his amazing poems, and spoke about what an substantial opportunity Poetry Out Loud is for kids of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, and how it bring kids together on common ground in such a magical way.

All in all, it was an inspirational meeting which motivated new schools to hop on board for this year.

Do you know a school that should participate in this year's Poetry Out Loud competition? Tell them to learn more at huntingtontheatre.org/pol.

A Postscript to Michael Maso's Post about Travel

Huntington Managing Director Michael Maso wasn't the only one with travel troubles last evening. One of the actors in Bus Stop made a quick trip down to New York yesterday morning for an audition. Her return train was supposed to leave New York at 12:30pm and arrive in Boston at 4:40pm - in plenty of time for the evening's 7:30pm curtain.

Or so we thought.

When the actor learned that her train was scheduled to depart New York late, Huntington Company Manager Anna Kohansky tried to reschedule her on an Acela (like Michael!), but all trains were booked. So she boarded the original train at 2:10pm. Amtrak arranged for the 5:10pm Providence-to-Boston commuter train to be held for its passengers. When the actor arrived in Providence, she boarded the new train, which left at 5:30pm.

And subsequently ran 40 minute late.

A 6:55pm arrival time at Back Bay Station was predicted, but at 6:30pm, Anna learned that the train wouldn't be stopping at Back Bay. So Anna told the actress to try to get off at Ruggles Station and to take the Orange Line one stop to Mass Ave. where Associate General Manager Justin Hasslet would meet her. As a back-up, Anna and Associate Producer Bevin O'Gara raced to South Station. At 7:05, the actor learned that the train was 30 minutes from Boston. When the train passed Ruggles without stopping, Justin left his post.

The train arrived at South Station at 7:18pm. The actress was in the car by 7:30pm, in the B.U. Theatre building at 7:45, and onstage just a few minutes after 8pm! Whew!

The adventure provided the opportunity for our fantastic staff to flex their muscles: Stage Management team Leslie Sears and Kevin Fitzpatrick kept the rest of the cast on point and prepared. Box Office staff Barbara Crowther, Hailey Fuqua, and Derek Martin prepared our audience as they arrived and picked up tickets. House Manager Daniel Morris and his staff did a great job of updating our patrons about the delay, answering their questions, and keeping them content and in the theatre. Dresser Jeff Burrows put the actor's wig cap on in record time, Wardrobe Coordinator Christine Marr got her into costume, and the run crew, comprised of Pat Austin, Andrew Deshazo, J Jumbelic, and Mike Wellman were always ready to go.

Thanks to our fantastic audience for their patience and understanding.

Travel Karma

Managing Director Michael Maso, from the train last night at 10:30pm:

In fairness and deep appreciation to all Huntington subscribers I would like to issue the following advisory: if you ever find yourself on a plane or train with me heading from NY to Boston, CHANGE YOUR PLANS!

Two weeks ago I was in NYC and heading back to Boston on the 5:00 US Airways shuttle when tornados (I'm not making this up!) hit Queens. As a result I spent 5 hours on the tarmac before finally taking off. Without drinks. They had water, yes, but not DRINKS.

"Wait," you say, "they can't do that anymore." What they can do is hold you on the tarmac for three hours, take you back to the terminal to let the most panicked and/or sanest among you escape, and then go out for another three hours of waiting. I got home at midnight.

Today I was back in NY with a shuttle reservation on the 4:00 PM shuttle home, and this time US Airways cancelled my flight 10 hours in advance. I guess that's progress. So I decided to get smart and booked an Acela Express. Yes, my friends, you guessed it. The 5:00, due into Back Bay at 8:30, was first delayed coming into Penn Station, and then "trees on the power lines" meant that our electric-powered train had to stop at Providence. So they put us on a diesel train to get to Boston. Problem? Only one. We have been waiting on the new train for over an hour waiting for a engine.

I'm not kidding. Our substitute diesel train has no engine.

It is now 10:30, and I do not expect to be home by midnight. I will tell you how this ended tomorrow. For now this puzzler: which is better - losing five hours to US Air or five hours-plus to Amtrak? The jury is out (I'm not home yet after all) but I'll give you a clue: on the Acela they have a bar.

In the meantime, the Huntington will shortly be issuing mug shots of me with this warning: DO NOT TRAVEL IN THE VICINITY OF THIS MAN.

- Michael Maso

UPDATE: The engine was found, and the train pulled into Back Bay Station around midnight. Michael was home in Brookline by 12:15.