Designs for ATTWN over the years

The posters online are really varied. Some seem to highlight the soldiers, some the noose and others the isolated house. We will need a t-shirt design for our production and so I also found a wonderful Salamander poster that could be a starting point for a t-shirt design.

Richard, the Props Maker

Here are Richard's first soldiers for the mantle piece. 

Engaging Video About the Actor's Body

If you have some time, have a look at this wonderful video from the Chicago Humanities Festival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0XVLEyLB08

Movement and Acting

Add some more tools to your acting tool kit. Rudolph Laban analyzed movement and broke it down for us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-B_E3loAto

I found this summary on another blog called "Acting without the Drama":
Laban breaks down the way we move using three different areas of analysis: space, weight and time.  Space can be either direct or indirect.  Weight can be strong or light.  Time can be sudden or sustained.  When you put these all together, you end up with eight efforts that classify styles of movement, as well as something of the personality of the person making that movement.

Direct, strong, sudden--------punch (thrust)Indirect, strong, sudden------slashDirect, strong, sustained-----pushIndirect, strong, sustained---wringDirect, light, sudden----------dabIndirect, light, sudden--------flickDirect, light, sustained-------glideIndirect, light, sustained-----float

Another good movement video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBJkOBOlcf8

Emily Brent

This image reminds me of Emily's high moral ground and her old-fashioned ways.

Screens and Tile Patterns

The second image shows the effect of the screens. It is both open and imprisoning.

The floor will also have some kind of stencilled pattern inspired by these.

Ceramic Soldier Boy

One of our challenges is to locate or manufacture enough soldiers for the mantle. This example would be perfect, but where would a person locate such an item?

Using the Cyc

Once in a while, the best choice for an exterior is not a painted backdrop but a well-lit screen called a cyclorama. We are going to use the cyc to achieve a sense of air and height over the ocean. In the image below, you get that feeling of cool blue.

I love the hint of the tropics with the plant just outside the door.

Costumes to Reflect the 1950s

The period for the piece will be around 1950. The fashion for the women will vary since Vera is more up-to-date and Emily is extremely old-fashioned. I have included some WWII ladies wear also as inspiration for Emily. The men will wear high-waisted pants, shirts, ties and some will wear jackets. I love the sweater vest.

Island Setting for the Play

In an effort to create a slightly exotic setting for the play, I am using a colour palette inspired by Moroccan images. I have found some examples below. Warm oranges, cool blues, grey and silver will be the main colours.

cool