My last summer blog

It's hard to believe that at this point next week, the festival will be over and everyone will be gone. It feels like just yesterday that I drove up here to Sweet Briar and auditioned, and now we only have five days left... I have to say that this has probably been the most exciting and fulfilling summer for me, as both an actor and a person. For one thing, I got to play with two of the raddest and most talented gents I know in Complete Works.

I am still a youngin' when it comes to acting, still in college and pretty green. I remember the day that Geoff called me and offered me the contract. I was ecstatic beyond belief, albeit scared shitless. Of course I knew Walter and Michael, having worked with them for the past two summers, but I never really developed a relationship with them. From day one though, we bonded quickly and effortlessly, to my relief. This show was an absolute blast, and all thanks to the two of them.

With Complete Works in full swing, we started up on Hamlet, which turned out to be even cooler than I could have anticipated.

The whole process was always exciting and fresh. The final product is not only a complete experience for the audience watching it, but also for me acting in it. From the environment to the ambience created by the lights and the music, this has truly been an incredible experience for me (even with all the sweat and crutch bruises).

So thank you Endstation, for a wonderful summer of incredible theatre, and for allowing me to be such an integral part of it all.

Until next time,

Derek Arey

Actor

A break!

Coming soon... pictures from Virginia Wine country...

Very proud

Here are some images I have taken over the last couple of performances. It gives you a little feel for the space and the performance, although this is something that needs to be experienced. I am so thankful for all the hard work that EVERYONE has put into this. From the transformation of the space, the routing of power and lighting the space up, the music, to the incredible performances... this has just been so awesome to be a part of. As an artist I really needed this too. This re-fueled me.

Hamlet has been one of the best theatrical experiences of my life. The collaborators, the audience, and the space has made this truly exciting and invigorating. We are finishing up our first week of performances and apart from the sounds of band camp and last night a wedding reception, the evenings have been magical. The audiences didn't seem to be nearly as bothered by the sounds of distant prepubescent drummers (we joked that this was the Union Army approaching) and the electric slide as I was. The show is engrossing enough because of the beautiful music of Virgineola, the performances of our actors, the beautiful lighting, and the stunning scenery that the far away sounds disappeared for the audience.

What has also been really exciting is that audience members are coming back or are planning on coming back to see the show again. We had a family and a couple come on Friday night and then they returned to see the show again last night. I was so moved by this. I also love that each night I sit with Sally, Dan, and Krista and watch the show from the booth and the top of the hill. I don't think we are getting tired of watching it. I very often put a show up and like to walk away because there isn't much else for me to do and the stress of watching a show can be difficult for a director because of hyper sensitivity to mistakes. I don't feel that with this. I want to watch the work unfold and God does Shakespeare know how to write a play...

So please, join us. Join us more than once. I am so proud of everyone involved and so proud of this show. You won't be disappointed.

Geoffrey Kershner

Artistic Director

Sweating Under the Stars

When Director Geoff Kershner decided to place HAMLET in Civil War Virginia, my first thought was hot, sweaty wool - the actors are going to be miserable. My second thought was that this could be a really wonderful research possibility. Both thoughts turned out to be true, and even though the heat has been oppressive this first week of performances, everyone (for the most part) has suffered together - from box office, crew, actors, band and audience members alike.

The well-prepared box office crew cheerfully endured setting up in the heat of the afternoon

As to the costumes and research, we were fortunate enough to gain some time with a local Civil War re-enactor and educator, Mark Day, who talked about life in the area around 1864. He shared much about families, fighting, uniforms, decorum - did you know that men were not to show their suspenders? Suspenders were considered underwear and were to be covered in public by a vest or waistcoat (we did bend this a bit for the design of the show). He, and other local re-enactors, generously shared authentic canteens, satchels, belts, weapons and boots that added much not only for costuming purposes but for the actors who wear and use these valuable pieces.

Mark Day explains the types of uniforms, accessories soldiers would have worn.

In addition, even though actors are glowing, radiating, perspiring, and sweating in varying degrees, the boys wearing the wool uniforms are probably the most comfortable because the fabric is wicking up the perspiration, unlike the cotton shirts and pants most of the actors are wearing. All the actors have gained a new respect for the clothing and discomfort endured by people during this time, and playing the show outside instead of in an air-conditioned space has brought this into focus even more.

Preparations in the Dairy Barn for the changes into Confederate uniforms

Wearing wool is not as bad as Michael, Walter, and Derek make it look here.

As for the women, Gertrude endures the hoop (although not the corset), petticoat, pantelettes and heavy fabric that most well-born women would have worn. Ophelia is represented more as a serving girl, with no hoop and simple collar. The very-pregnant, poorer Guildenstern is the simplest - skirt, top, cotton shawl and no embellishment at all.

The Ladies of Elsinor Farm, showing more than any man would see in public.

As for the comfort (or discomfort) factor of the heat and the costumes, the actors (some of them) have completely immersed themselves in the sweat of the moment. When I offered Walter a change of shirt during intermission, he said he would much rather stay in the shirt, in the moment, in the character at the time - "the sweat's the thing" it appears, and everyone is on the same page, which is clearly evident when crew, band, actors return to the dressing rooms and shed their watery weeds for the massive nightly laundry pile, an image I will leave to the imagination of all of your senses.

Fortunately, I will not have to take the costumes down to the lake to wash them by hand - I'm not into being that authentic. I'll just push the button.

Cheers!

Sally Parrish Southall

Endstation.......

When I think of Endstation there are many thoughts that come to mind: Friends who have become part of our family. Conversations about movies, weather, fashion and current projects over dinner. The intricate balance of marriage, relationship and passion for the arts. I think about the wonderful people that make up the body of Endstation.

One thing about Endstation that stands out to me is how welcoming the group has been to me, personally. Those who used to be faces in pictures or names in stories have become very dear friends.

To me Endstation is more than a theatre company- it is friendship. It is community.

My first exposure to Endstation was through 2007's The Tell-Tale Heart and The Mind of Poe. My wife, Maria (aka "MAH Company Manager") was that show's stage manager and has been working with Endstation since that time . Through her involvement I have been able to be a part of this awesome company in a variety of capacities: sound engineer (Bluest Water), box office (Midsummer Night's Dream), and currently, musician (Hamlet).

Hamlet. We are now two days into production and the show is awesome. As a part of Virgineola (the band) I have truly enjoyed seeing this show come to life. Providing the undergirding music to a production that has the talent to stand on its own has been incredible. There have been movements created that have touched both performer and audience member alike- myself included. Some of my favorite moments include the fight scenes: where the piece "Contraband Camp" creates a sad and angry tension, and the closing monologue: where "Boyd's Ferry" fills you with a hope that says what seems final may only be an exciting beginning- like saying goodbye to an old friend.

My time with Endstation has been truly inspiring and this production of Hamlet has already proven to be a memorable one- I am excited about this evening's performance and hope to see you there.

Lucas
Endstation | Virgineola

News and Advance Hamlet Story

Check out Casey Gillis' article about Hamlet. It appeared in both the News and Advance and The Burg: Read here.

Confessions of a Cheshire Cat

This season has been my second Endstation summer and as I expected BRSTF 2010 has been an amazing experience. There are so many things I love about Endstation, first of all the people involved, and then the work environment - it's great to get the opportunity in one summer to do two things I love – act and paint.
During my day, (normally 10 – 3pm) I paint with Krista (and Catherine :). If you saw Alice in Wonderland you know there was a lot of scenic painting - which was incredible because I got to learn lots of different techniques, plus when I went in to work every day there was always painting for me to do.I'd like to take this opportunity to thank and embarrass Krista, because it's basically thanks to her awesomeness that I’m got into a Scenic painting MFA at CalArts and am heading out there in September.
At 5pm ish I head to the theater for the second half of my day: working with another wonderful lady (“and…. HAVE FUN!”). Susan is great director; I had so much fun from the first days in the rehearsal room:

(Photo taken by Casey Carden)

To being on stage

(Photo taken by Tania Bukach)

and at last in front of the audience – which was so rewarding! It was my first show for young audiences and I LOVED it!

Endstation summers are a blast, and I could go on and on about how great the company is, but I might get really sappy and no one wants that – so, all I will say is that this summer was BRILLIANT I’m really looking forward to next summer!

Confessions of a Cheshire Cat.

1) Tiggers ALWAYS have a beer after rehearsal.2) During a show – I would sometimes climb up from stage right up to the rail and see how high I could get before Ryan told me to get down.

3) I constantly distracted Hillary by jumping up and growling during pre-show.

4) Tiggers like being painted, it tickles in a nice way.

(Photo taken by Sally Southall)

5) Cats “Get in character” at Busch Gardens! (with Alice and SM Jess)

6) “Getting in character” with Alice also involves conversations like this:

(video taken by Katie Thomas)

or sometimes dancing and singing with her to No Scrubs

7) Cheshire’s can be daredevils – I do backwards rolls on my two upstage 4’ high platforms just to see if I can. I fell off a few times. No worries, I can’t be seen by the audience behind the screen.

8) My day is PACKED. Check out my planner. That’s why I had no time to really help Alice.

9) I only made two adorable little girls cry. 2 out of ten shows - not bad, eh?

10) Sorry Sally… sometimes I would eat (or be fed) a popsicle during intermission

(video taken by Katie Thomas)

11) I’ve been caught eating my way through a plate/ platter of spaghetti as big as my face.

(What I do to amuse myself when not in the theater.)

11) I boycott Prothro. so I can only go in disguise. Cats HATE having photos taken when they're eating.

(Photo taken by Alex Miller)

12) Backstage I tend to run around "naked-at-first-sight". (wearing a nude leotard) often with a turquoise makeup cape. And run by “flashing” people. When Hillary adds my tiger striped microphone belt I feel like a superhero.

13) And lastly, and most importantly, Cheshires like this. so much! It was really breathtaking. Congrats to everyone involved, great job!

thanks for reading! byeee...eeeee.... miiiiaow.

Cheshire

Tania Salas Platt
Actor and Paints Intern