Lincoln

Over Thanksgiving, my family went to see the new movie, Lincoln, a movie which provoked a lot more thought about acting than I could have imagined. These are just some thoughts I had about the movie.

When I stepped out of the movie theater, I was in awe, but I wasn't sure exactly why. Immediately, I thought that it must have just been a stunning movie, like The King's Speech had made me react two years ago. But after a bit of reflecting, I found that what had truly impressed me wasn't the movie itself but different elements of it. In fact, I wasn't too crazy about the plot. While I learned a lot about Lincoln's final months and about the dynamics of government in the 1800s, I thought the focus on the Thirteenth Amendment was slightly too narrow for the complexity of the period. Also, several of the characters and side plots seemed under-developed, such as that of the Mary Todd Lincoln's chambermaid and Robert Lincoln.

That said, something still stuck with me. While I was watching the movie, I found that every other scene I was thinking I know that guy! Later I kept thinking about all of the famous actors who had crossed the screen and realized that this was what had stood out. Most movies contain one or two high quality performances from dedicated and talented actors, but Lincoln had many more. I thought Sally Fields, David Strathairn, and especially Tommy Lee Jones were outstanding in each of their roles. And, of course, Daniel Day-Lewis' performance was legendary. From his voice to his mannerisms to his very distinctive walk, he was so deep in character that I could barely recognize the actor buried beneath. This is what I think makes him such an incredibly captivating actor. He leaves no traces of himself on the screen even when delivering long monologues or simply sitting in silence for long periods of time. He believes he is Abraham Lincoln and the audience does too.

Another element that impressed me was the cinematography of the movie. Its hard to create a look alike for President Lincoln, a man whose face is well known and extremely distinguished. Day-Lewis did his part, but the camera work was essential to making the transformation occur. While making Lincoln seem taller than everyone else might not be too big a challenge, making Day-Lewis' face look exactly like Lincoln took much more. One of the main way this was done was through profile shots of Lincoln. In the dim light with exaggerated shadows falling on his face Day-Lewis couldn't have looked more like Lincoln. While I might not understand all of the technical elements that went into making this possible, I do know that they were pulled off nearly flawlessly.

~Julie

The Outsiders in Review

Georgetown Prep's production of The Outsiders this past weekend was a great success for their small but growing group of Prep Players. After spending time talking to the director, Kevin Kuchar, I was excited to view the show through the perspective of a director and the choices that were made to support the cast.

The story of The Outsiders comes from the fifties conflict between the Socs, or the rich kids, and the Greasers, the working class kids. As these two groups struggle to find their identities and deal with the wide gap between the struggles that each faces, they begin to see the humanity that lies behind the stereotypes they are labeled with.

In putting this show on stage, they put together a very interesting and unique set. When my brother auditioned for the show, he mentioned that they would be putting real grass on the stage, but I was skeptical of how this would work. This was, however, exactly what they did! The protruding stage was covered with a layer of sod, truly bringing the outdoors inside and in front of the audience. There were also street lamps and benches, as well as a pool-like structure, representative of the fountain. Chain-link fences hung from the ceiling and stood behind the benches. The back wall of the whole set was covered with small lights, often used to show stars.

The stage at Prep also includes two side stages which again distinguished the set from our more traditional ones at Holy Cross. The stage right set was used as the hospital room while the stage left area was Ponyboy's porch and home. I was very impressed with how the actors used these individual sets separately, making sure to keep the boundaries between them very real to the audiences.


As for the show itself, I was surprised to see the way in which characters were double-cast. Rather than having two separate casts that alternated, some of the actors would play one character during one show and another during the next. From an acting perspective, I cannot imagine developing two separate characters and alternating between them during the different shows. Surprisingly, though, each of the characters who played several parts managed to be fully engaged in the part they were playing.

Overall, each of the actors pulled their weight in bringing the show together, and combined with an interesting set, they were very successful.

~Julie

Interview with The Outsiders Director, Kevin Kuchar

Before seeing The Outsiders at Georgetown Prep this weekend, I sat down with the director of the show, Kevin Kuchar, to discuss his career as a director, as well as his choices in this particular production. 

J: Where do you work and why do you choose to direct shows at Georgetown Preparatory School?

K:  I work in the Musical Theatre Department at the Levine School of Music. We do most of our practice at the Strathmore school so I am close by. Three years ago I was the assistant director of a Prep show. Two years ago I was asked if I would be the sole director. I think I come to Prep because I just love working with the boys. The moment you get a freshman, you just can’t say no. Working at Prep is wonderful because it is more than a cast; it is like a family. Theatre is, by nature, a communal activity. The thing about educational theatre, just like professional theatre, is that once you are hooked, you are hooked.

J: Where did you become interested in theatre and directing?

K: I went to college at Viterbo University, which is, as it sounds, a very small school in Wisconsin. I was a Psychology major and I started hanging out with the theatre people; mostly because I just thought they were more fun! I started trying theatre out more intensely and I loved it! I fell in love with it in college and wanted to make it happen in life. I mean, I think it is addicting. It is the most thought provoking art form. We get to take the most thought provoking ideas and make commentaries on culture that are accessible to people.

J: Do you have a favorite show? Is it one that you have directed?

K: Any director who tells you they have a favorite show is a liar! I mean any show you direct has aspects that you love. One director could put on the show Oklahoma and it could be terrible, but the next could put on the best show you have ever seen. So no, I don’t think I have a favorite show. That said, one show does stand out as a pivotal moment in my growth in theatre. Almost twenty years ago I saw James and the Giant Peach. The set was an offset curved peach edge and characters would come out of the peach. I learned so much about what aesthetics can do on stage. I mean this was before a lot of the technology we can use on stage today was even available and yet through the use of creativity and puppetry, amazing things were possible. So I would say that that was a very important show to me, and it made sets very essential to me. I like to make sets that are expandable, integrated, and static because of it.

J: Do you favor a specific methodology when directing a play?

K: No! You really have to see your cast and meet them where they are at. That is the approach I take with my kids. I might incorporate some aspects, but I don’t focus on a particular theory  or style until I know what I am working with.

J: Do you take feedback from the students you direct?

K: Constantly! If you want to give them an experience based on their organic experience, you have to participate in conversation with them.

J: How did you decide on The Outsiders for the Prep players?

K: Well originally we were planning on putting together the show Great Expectations but after the cold reading the first day of auditions, I realized that that show wasn't the right choice for us. We wouldn't have been successful with this cast. You have to stay flexible and pliable when creating a show. That’s how you become successful and make discoveries. The boys wanted to do something physical and with contemporary language. The Outsiders was the perfect choice because, I mean, every other kid reads it in seventh grade. And the relationships between the socs and the greasers are so interesting and relate-able.  You know at Prep, the boys who do theatre are such a small group that they are kind of like outsiders too.

J: Do you have a favorite scene at this point?  Favorite character?

K: I think the “Rumble Scene” is my favorite because they worked really hard on it. There is a  lot of athleticism and bravado, and I think the boys really bonded over it and had fun. I don’t really have a favorite character but in general I just love the ensemble. It is more than an ensemble; it’s a brotherhood. It’s the idea that we are a family because we are chosen to be one, and the idea of each person watching out for the other.

J: What motivated your decision to double cast several of the roles?

K: It makes a bigger cast and gives more opportunities to more people. I believe that theatre is an under-appreciated art and I’ll take the people I can get, especially at a boys’ school.

J: Should the audience expect any surprises?

K: Haha, just that baseball players can act!

~Julie

We're off to see The Wiz

This past weekend my school brought to the stage the Fall production of The Wiz. After hearing for months about all of the hard work that went into the show, I was very excited on Sunday when I had the chance to see it for myself. Sitting out The Wiz was a difficult decision for me but I certainly learned a lot from watching this amazing and talented cast and crew!

First of all, I was excited to see several people perform who were cast in roles that aren't usual for them and caused them to take on new responsibilities. As a sophomore, I remember being cast as Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night and not knowing how I was going to fill the position required of me. At the start of The Wiz production, a couple of the lead characters were feeling a similar way. I realize now, though, that this emotion can spur a performer on to create and take risks that they would never even think of if they found themselves in their usual typecast roles. As I learn more about the role of a director, I think that giving actors opportunities to step out of their comfort zones is one of the greatest gifts they have to offer.

I was so happy to see that each of The Wiz cast members truly grew into their new responsibilities and achieved the huge task of putting together a musical!

And now for the details of the production. The Wiz, a show which hit the stage in 1974, is the more soulful and gritty version of the classic Wizard of Oz. To bring this to light, the cinder block walls and wood floors which make up the bare structure of the theatre were exposed, and  the back wall of the stage was covered in graffiti while the floor was painted with a faded yellow brick road. The set pieces consisted of four large platforms, all on wheels, which were moved throughout the show into different formations for different scenes. When I heard about the way in which the set would be used, I have to admit I was skeptical that it could be pulled off flawlessly, but the technical support proved me wrong, and watching these giant set pieces transform the stage was a highlight of the show for me. When the curtain rose at the start of the show, I was surprised at how having the four platforms close to the front of the stage created an apartment-like image, perfect for the more urban feeling that the show requires. The set was absolutely one of my favorite parts of The Wiz.

Well, I have many more aspects of The Wiz to reflect on so it looks like the rest might have to come out in a series of blog posts...stay tuned!

~Julie