The Pillowman Run-Thru
Posted by David New on 9/08/2006
This morning at 9:45am the Steppenwolf staff gathered in Yondorf Rehearsal Hall for the all-staff run-thru of The Pillowman. This rehearsal is one of the last run-thrus the cast will have before they move on to the stage for technical rehearsals. In addition to the entire staff, the designers are also in attendance to see the shape of the show. Interestingly, the rehearsal hall is not located in the theatre but in a separate building where the administrative offices are located. There is something exciting about watching the actors in a rehearsal hall without a set, or lighting, or costumes. Makeshift furniture stands in for the real thing, the actors are in their street clothes – perhaps with a rehearsal jacket or shoes - and rehearsal props often bear no resemblance to the object they are standing in for. The focus goes to the actor and the imagination is engaged to supply the production elements.
After the run-thru, I went across the street to the theatre where the set is being loaded in. While it is not finished being installed, the majority of the elements are in place. I stood in the house and, in my mind’s eye, married the run-thru I had watched this morning with the set that was coming together on the stage. I imagined the costume renderings I had seen and tried to imagine how the production will be lit. It’s exciting to visit the different production elements as they come together.
The actors will move onto the stage on Saturday to begin the process of technical rehearsals, during which the scenic, lighting, and sound elements will be added. They will begin to wear the actual clothes they will wear in performance and begin working with actual props. They will rehearse five more days before the first preview when the final element will be added – the audience.