Interview | Michael Rico Cohen, Production Stage Manager for Samuel J. and K.

I had a chance to interview, Michael Rico Cohen, Production Stage Manager for Samuel J. and K. about what exactly is the stage manager’s job.

Sarah Slight: From what I observe, the stage manager seems to be involved in everything related the production he/she is working on. Is that true? What is your job?

Michael Rico Cohen: The stage manager is involved in many facets of a show, but primarily serves as a communication gateway, who organizes and coordinates a production. Specifically, the stage manager communicates with all of the designers, crew, actors, and management/staff of the theatre to ensure that rehearsals, tech, and performances happen successfully. Some other specific stage manager tasks include creating rehearsal schedules and a ‘prompt book,’ which serves as an archive of the show. It is important to note that there are also production managers, company managers and general managers who handle many things that the stage manager is not responsible for, such as contracts, budgets, transportation, housing, payroll, and more.

SS: What is a typical day of rehearsal like for you?

MRC: A typical rehearsal day for the actors in Samuel J. and K. is 11am-5pm. (Many shows with larger casts rehearse 10a-6p) However, I always work before and after that designated time, as the stage manager is responsible for setting up and striking the rehearsal space. In addition, at the conclusion of every rehearsal, I send out a ‘rehearsal report’ which details all of the work done that day as well as a ‘daily call’ which is the schedule for the following day.

SS: What changes once the play moves from rehearsal to tech?

MRC: When a show is in tech, we move from the rehearsal space to the stage, and slowly work through the play incorporating the lighting cues, sound cues, costumes and scenery. During tech, the stage manager is the one who is coordinating, or ‘calling,’ the cues and ensuring that all of the components of the show mesh together well. This task must be taken seriously, as often times the safety of the people onstage relies on specific cues happening at very specific times.

SS: And from tech to performance?

MRC: When we shift to performances the show doesn’t usually change much after that, and the actors and stage manager are then focused on maintaining the show as it was when we opened.

SS: Do you get to pick the shows you want to work on?

MRC: Sometimes you just want to work at a specific theatre, and they pick the show for you. And sometimes you pursue a show itself.

SS: You've been to Williamstown before--what do you like about being here?

MRC: It’s my third summer at Williamstown, and what keeps me coming back is that everyone who works at WTF is here only because they love it.

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Samuel J. and K. Rehearsal Photos

The World Premiere of Mat Smart's new play Samuel J. and K., directed by Justin Waldman, begins preview performances this Wednesday, July 7th, on our Nikos Stage in the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance.  Samuel J. and K. officially opens this Thursday, the 8th, and performances run through Sunday, July 18th.

Over the weekend our company photographer, Sam Hough, stopped by the rehearsal hall at Buxton middle school to grab some photos with Justin Long and Owiso Odera in their last few days of rehearsal.  Check them out!

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Weekly Preview | July 5 - 11

Samuel J. and K. Opens this week

July 7 – 18
by Mat Smart
Directed by Justin Waldman

Samuel J. surprises his adopted brother, Samuel K., with a trip back to his birth country of Cameroon for college graduation—but Samuel K. has no desire to face a place and a past that abandoned him. Samuel J. and K. challenges the traditional definitions of family and asks if a place we’ve only imagined can become home overnight. Festival Artistic Associate Justin Waldman directs this hard-charging world premiere after a successful reading as part of Fridays@3 last summer.

Cast

Justin Long
Owiso Odera

Scenic Design | Adam Stockhausen
Costume Design | Nicole Jescinth Smith
Lighting Design | Marcus Doshi
Sound Design | Bart Fasbender
Production Stage Manager | Michael Rico Cohen
Production Manager | Joel M. Krause
Casting | MelCap Casting


A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum continues performances
After opening to rave reviews, Forum continues performances on the Main Stage until July 11.

Free Theatre, Camp Monster Performs this week
July 5 at 7pm and July 6-10 at 11am.

Camp Monster features book and lyrics by Sharyn Rothstein and music by Kris Kukul and will be directed by Kate Pines. It will feature actors from the Festival’s non-equity and apprentice companies. For years, the sons and daughters of the world's most famous monsters (Dracula, The Wicked Witch, Wolfman, and more), have spent their summer at Camp Flonster, the only camp in the world where young monsters can be themselves. But this year, Camp Flonster has a new director, the oppressive and diabolical Roseanne Finicula, who harbors a secret desire to rid the world of all monsters! When the young monsters learn of Roseanne's plot, they must put aside their daily squabbles to work together and beat Roseanne at her own game –and keep the world safe for even the strangest among us. 


First Cabaret of the Summer
July 8 and 9 at 11pm and July 10 at 11:30pm in Goodrich Hall.

Fridays @ 3 July 9th
The Substance of Bliss, this year's Weissberger Winner, by Tony Glazer has its reading as part of the award, directed by Sarah Krohn.

In The Substance of Bliss by Tony Glazer, 2009’s L. Arnold Weissberger Award winner, a couple, Donna and Paul, wait up for their troubled son to come home. What they learn about yard fairies, neighborhood cats, the grouchy lady next door, Mrs. Johnston, their son, each other and ultimately, their relationship will change them forever.

  
 
For more information and tickets to these events, please contact the box office 413-597-3400 or visit our website at wtfestival.org

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Free Theatre Performs Next Week

Annually since 1987, WTF's Free Theatre has brought vibrant productions to the area free of charge as a way of saying thank you to the community that supports the Festival so graciously year after year. Often featuring mythical themes, elaborate costumes, puppetry, music or dance, Free Theatre entertains children and adults alike.

Camp Monster features book and lyrics by Sharyn Rothstein and music by Kris Kukul and will be directed by Kate Pines. It will feature actors from the Festival’s non-equity and apprentice companies. For years, the sons and daughters of the world's most famous monsters (Dracula, The Wicked Witch, Wolfman, and more), have spent their summer at Camp Flonster, the only camp in the world where young monsters can be themselves. But this year, Camp Flonster has a new director, the oppressive and diabolical Roseanne Finicula, who harbors a secret desire to rid the world of all monsters! When the young monsters learn of Roseanne's plot, they must put aside their daily squabbles to work together and beat Roseanne at her own game –and keep the world safe for even the strangest among us.

Camp Monster also features musical direction by Sarah Hirsch and Kris Kukul and choreography by James Cusati-Moyer. The design team includes scenic design by Phil Tokarsky, costume design by Jeanette Lee Porter, lighting design by Jake Bray, and sound design by Sean Luckey. The production stage manager is Lisa Jaeger.

Camp Monster runs on the Main Stage from July 5 through July 10. The schedule is as follows: Monday, July 5 at 7:00pm and Tuesday, July 6 through Saturday, July 10 at 11:00am.

In conjunction with the Free Theatre performances, WTF also holds a Kids’ Day.  Taking place on the front lawn of the theatre prior to the Saturday morning performance of Camp Monster, Kids’ Day allows children of all ages to partake in theatre games, dancing, crafts, ice cream, autographs from performers and more. Kids’ Day is free of charge and takes place on Saturday, July 10 at 9:30am.

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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Opening Night!

Everyone had an incredibly amazing time this week at the opening for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.  Check out all of our photos from the evening!

[photos] Sam Hough for WTF ’10

[pictured]

(1) Nicholas Martin, Victor Garber

(2) Christopher Fitzgerald, Jessica Stone

(3) Alexander Dodge, Jessica Stone, Denis Miller

(4) Matt Harris, Jessica Hecht

(5) Judy Gold, Justin Waldman

(6) Christopher Fitzgerald, Graham Rowat, Jessica Stone

(7) Rita Feldman, Lucas Kavner

(8) Adam Lerman, Zackary Grady

(9) 2010 Costume Department, Cathy Parrott

(10) Justin Long, Owiso Oder, Kristen Jo Hansen, Tom Green

(11) Noah Haidle, Julia Bowen, Brad Svrluga

(12) Ellen Burnstein, Valerie Kennedy, Bernice Shainman

(13) Marge Champion, Davis McCallum

(14) KK Peabody, Bo Peabody, Mike Seckler, Caren Pasquale, Seckler

(15) Ira Lapidus, Fran Lapidus

(16) Emily Simoness

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Special Feature | Making Theatre: Ancient Rome and Williamstown

by Rachel Lerner-Ley, Dramaturgy

Putting up a show such as FORUM requires a great amount of time, effort, manpower, and ingenuity. Here’s a look into how theatre-makers created plays in Plautus’ day, and how over 2000 years later, the Williamstown team has made the world of Shevelove, Gelbart and Sondheim come to life.

CAST

Ancient Rome: 5-6 cast members, doubling in roles, all-male

Williamstown 2010: 14 cast members, doubling in roles, all-male

MUSIC

Ancient Rome: 1 guy playing a pipe, attached to his head so his hands can be free; he follows the actors around the stage and plays almost continuously throughout the show

Williamstown 2010: an orchestra of 16 (including 4 reeds) conducted by a music director, who has also been in rehearsals working with the actors since day one

COSTUMES

Ancient Rome:  a basic costume of a toga and a linen mask which indicates comedy, tragedy, and character type; perhaps a cloak or a coat thrown on sometime during the show

Williamstown 2010: There are 176 costume pieces on stage throughout the show with 71 total costume changes, 15 of which happen in 30 seconds or less

LIGHTING

Ancient Rome: sunlight—better keep up on those sacrifices to Apollo

Williamstown 2010: a lighting system that took 10 lighting interns, 5 lighting staff members, 8 apprentices, and 100 hours to prepare

SOUND

Ancient Rome: Strong vocal chords and the acoustics-friendly architecture

Williamstown 2010: 74 speakers, 20 wireless mics, and a team of 12 to manage and install it all

PROPS

Ancient Rome: props would be stock, simple, and used from production to production

Williamstown 2010: props made entirely from scratch, including the benches and Domina’s bust which took 60 man-hours to build

AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE

Ancient Rome: by the time of the empire, the Romans had devised a cooling system in which they would blow air over water

Williamstown 2010: air conditioning

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