Showtime!

We’ve had a luxurious four weeks of rehearsal to prepare for the world premiere of Big Shoes! The cast has done an admirable job of getting this work ready and polished, the set and costumes are fabulous, the music sounds terrific, the choreography is fun and effective, AND we are all set up in the wonderful UNCSA Performance Place Thrust Theater.

So what do we need now? An audience.

Big Shoes World Premiere
UNCSA Performance Place Thrust Theater
2:00 PM, Saturday, September 1, 2012
FREE and open to the public. No tickets, open seating.

The Show is On... Like a Bostic

This post is from the magnificent Marissa Byers, Open Dream's clarinetist/ fire dancer / actress / and now tap dancer. She is pictured here as Sheepish (in pink) along with her Ish sisters Deepish (in purple) and Weepish (in blue).



We are in the middle of week four, and Big Shoes has come to life. With some trimming around the edges, the show is ready to hit the stage on Saturday. I think there must be a little bit of magic at play here. Beth Bostic seems to have that kind of touch as a director- the kind that can't be taught. She managed to create a synchronicity with the ensemble from the start- which enabled us to work efficiently as a team, bounce off of each others' energy in every scene and set change, guiding us through a rehearsal process that kept stress and overdrive at bay. I have learned so much through Open Dream this year, and I'm still processing the extent of it- beginning with a fresh new love for acting, and facing the challenges of integrating clarinet, sound design, acting and dance (we're learning how to tap dance from Julianne- LOVE IT), as well as teamwork and speedy set and costume changes. The growth I see in myself as an artist is invigorating. I think the most significant Bostic gift is the ability to instil healthy confidence in the performer. I always feel that I have the space to find my character (Sheepish) within myself at a pace that suits me naturally. Somehow, this expedites the process. It's about respect. Mad respect. Hats off to the captain. I am in awe of what we all accomplished in the blink of an eye. It's showtime!

No, really. . . I'm in a play!

This post is from a fellow who is willing to take on new challenges and succeed, Cameron MacManus. Cameron is pictured here as Gordy with the Triplets Ish in our new production, Big Shoes.



Whew! It has been a crazy journey putting “Big Shoes” on its feet . . . and three sizes of big shoes on mine. Yesterday, we ran the complete show three times and it’s feeling better and better to be Gordy. I had no acting experience when I auditioned for the Open Dream Ensemble - just the willingness to dive in and explore new things. Our amazing director, manager, composers, and set designers had done so much work to make Michaela Morton’s wonderfully imaginative script jump to life by the start of rehearsals that it was a little nerve-racking to step into those shoes and stumble my way into their world. There was no need to worry. Everyone involved is as encouraging as they are fantastically talented. Playing Gordy these last three and half weeks (a character whose life frustrations are all-too-comparable to my own middle school experience) and working alongside all these great artist-teachers has been inspiring and thought-provoking. This fall is going to be awesome! I can’t wait to share this show and its message on the stage and in the classroom, and grow more and more into these Big Shoes!

Oh wow. My Fingers Hurt!

This post from the marvelous mandolin-playing Marine Madesclaire!

Somehow in the midst of learning to pass instruments to William, our resident multi-musician, I ended up having to learn to play the mandolin. Well, having is the wrong word. Or not enough words. I ended up having the opportunity to learn to play the mandolin. And boy is it fun!

It's been an interesting process learning to work with different mediums and different artists. The language we all use is English, but we all have our own vocabulary that comes with our craft. It's easy to forget that not everyone has spent the last four years in the Drama department, and it's been fun to watch people learn things I take for granted. And vice versa, of course.

That Robber Not Only Stole My Shoes But My Heart!

This post is from the terrific Ted Federle, pictured here as the Big Shoes Robber of Soles.



Accepting a position with the Open Dream Ensemble I knew I was going to be stretched as a performer but I had no idea what I was in for… Being an Opera singer I have spent most of my time training to act while singing, so I knew I would have to work to make the transition to spoken theater. However, I was pleasantly surprised how easy the transition was. This is in no small part due to the wonderful script by new playwright Michaela Morton. The role of the villainous Robber has fit me like glove in part because as a Baritone I frequently play villains on the Operatic stage, most recently as the land grabbing/neighbor accusing Thomas Putnam in Robert Ward’s The Crucible with Piedmont Opera. As the Robber I get to steal not only peoples shoes but their personalities. Some of my favorites are Carlotta, the fashionista who goes hiking up a mountain in high heals, Edgar the marathon runner and of course Gordy our protagonist whose massively oversized shoes are like walking around in flippers. All in all it has been a blast learning to tap dance from choreographer Julianne Harper and operating Boo Beary Crunch, the coolest blue bear puppet ever (blog post soon to come). This show promises to be a delight for children and the child in each of us, I know it has already stolen my heart.

Heading Up This Mountain

This post is from the magical Michaela Morton! Pictured here, seated on the far left, with the 2012 cast of Open Dream Ensemble.



Two years ago, in an airport in Texas, I started writing Big Shoes. I finished the play six months later, in France. And last week, I began it all over again, in the Stevens Center basement in Winston-Salem, NC.

I’ve had the kooky luck not only to write a children’s show and see it produced, but also to be a part of the ensemble of performers and teaching artists that make it come alive. This is my first gig out of college, and I pinch myself to test that it’s true. It was surreal auditioning for the Open Dream Ensemble using a monologue that I had written, and even surreal-er walking into the first day of rehearsal to hear and see the story of Gordy and his brother’s big shoes come to life before my eyes.

Of course, that life comes into theater in fits and starts – it’s not a full play until it’s played, until it’s scored and strummed and danced around, until it’s set on its set and seen. As we do the play, I’ve made countless minor edits to the script, often at the risk of sounding like a crazy person (“Cameron, could you just cut the ellipsis? And change that comma to a dash?”). Balancing the roles of actor and writer can be tricky, especially on a show about which I have many preconceptions. Listening helps.

What I’m learning when I keep my mouth shut is that our story is propelled by moments and melodies that my script did not contain. Thanks to my co-conspirators, Big Shoes now knocks out operatic high notes, boasts back-up singers, manipulates a brace of puppets, and marks time with tap-shoes.

I’m also learning that I can be wrong about what I wrote. Sometimes I don’t understand my own words as well as my director does. Sometimes what I thought I put down isn’t on the page at all. Sometimes I’ve created confusion, and I’m lucky that I get to clear it up in person (or watch as other actors settle the mess). Forget “teaching artist” – I’m learning first.

And that’s a real thrill. Like every ensemble member, I’ve picked up a range of new skills. I’ve lifted a truss, loaded in a tree, been fitted for a leotard. I’ve sung a wickedly tricky three part harmony, learned four dance numbers, and plucked a solid line on the upright bass. In fact, this weekend I’m taking said bass home, courtesy of our Jack-of-all-Strings, William. He’s made it possible for a couple of newbies to strum those strings like we had two weeks to learn, instead of just two hours.

As a team, our story is coming together. We’re heading up this mountain at a fast clip, and thank goodness, we’re not going it alone!

This Show RULES!

This post is from beautiful Haydee Thompson. She is pictured here as a cab driver in Open Dream's new show, Big Shoes.


This show RULES! Michaela Morton has not only crafted a beautiful work of theatre but I have had the pleasure working with her. The talented Michaela is also in the ensemble playing Deepish the philosophical ish sister and her casting is apropos, as she takes her part as actor and resident play write very seriously and it is an absolute joy to play in her world. This experience has been inspiring and so, in my 6th season in the ensemble, I am confident we have an amazing production on our hands and I can't wait to shoe this show to the kids!

"Wickedly Talented"

This post is from the wonderful William vonReichbauer. Not only does William play two roles in the new Open Dream production of Big Shoes, he also runs the sound equipment, plays upright bass, guitar, mandolin, and dances. He is shown here playing his upright bass.


We are now a day into our second week of rehearsals for Open Dream Ensemble's season 8 (!) production of Big Shoes. We have an absolutely amazing cast and crew, this year! Everyone involved is wickedly talented and has brought a ferocious enthusiasm towards bringing this show to life. I count myself very fortunate to be working so closely with such an incredible group of artists.

Julianne mentioned it in her post, but it bears repeating; the sets and costumes are absolutely stunning. Not only that, but they are lightweight and compact, which will make loading and unloading the truck twice per day a little easier, this season.

Speaking of Julianne, she is our choreographer, this year, and it has been very exciting learning to tap from her! I even get to go up against her in a mini tap battle in the show. If you've ever seen Julianne tap, you know I have my work cut out for me. Fortunately for me, I don't have to win.

I can hardly wait to get this show in front of audiences; I think it's really going to blow people away!

Big Shoes Taking Open Dream Places

This post is from the lovely Julianne Harper, Open Dream Ensemble cast member and choreographer. Her photo is from Open Dream's residency work in Monroe, NC.



It's finally here! Season 8 has officially begun for the Open Dream Ensemble! I am so happy to be returning for my fourth season and I am eager to move forward with our brand new show, BIG SHOES. Written by cast member Michaela Morton, BIG SHOES is an exciting new production that incorporates an evolved focus on music and visual design. In just four days we are finding a strong connection between cast members who all bring an array of talents to the project. Our production team has built a stunning set that is unmatched with any of its kind and we are very eager to utilize it creatively. Working closely with the shows composers is also giving us, as a performance team, a much deeper involvement with the show's music. We are just getting started and I am thrilled to see where our Big Shoes take us!

Curiosity and the Red Planet

Curiosity is a great thing! It pushes boundaries, it expands knowledge, it allows us to ponder new truths.

Watching Curiosity landing on Mars today was stellar in so many ways.

Two years ago Open Dream Ensemble performed Peril on the Red Planet to a packed audience at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. Peril on the Red Planet takes place in 2618 and features a spirited girl, Diana, using her brains, wits, imagination, and courage to save Earth’s first community on Mars.

We wanted to make sure the facts we presented about Mars were as accurate and current as possible, so through our status as a cooperating organization to JPL’s Imagine Mars program, we enjoyed tapping some of the great minds at JPL during the scripting process. Needless to say, we learned A LOT!

As part of our time at JPL, we were given an amazing tour. We got to watch the fabrication of parts used to make the intricate and unique innards of the rover, glance at a Mars simulation field, see Curiosity being built and sign a guest book (the contents of which are preserved on a microchip recently landed on Mars.) The enduring impact of the show and tour was evident in our first Big Shoes rehearsal this morning; our returning cast members had stayed up late last night to watch the landing live.

So thank you and congratulations to the dreamers at JPL! Your years of hard work on Curiosity are now paying off for all of us.

Ready, Get Set....

On May 7th, the Big Shoes Production Team had its first meeting at UNCSA’s School of Design and Production. We looked through the script and brainstormed ideas on the general appearance of Big Shoes.

We met again two weeks later, and again two weeks after that. At each meeting the look of the show became more refined, streamlined in purpose, and yet enlarged in vision. It’s always amazing to watch the dreams of creative individuals unfold, and seeing the ideas of Stephen Davis (set and props) and Kendra Peine Weeks (costumes) gradually coalesce was no exception. By July, Scott Garey, our technical director, was hard at work turning the designs into light-weight, durable, packable, and beautiful structures.

Working with these three young artists -- under the mentoring eyes of UNCSA production faculty Bland Wade and director Beth Bostic -- has been an affirming experience. Everyone is committed to making Big Shoes a great production. And Kendra, Stephen and Scott have put in hundreds of hours in the creation of a truly gorgeous configuration of set, props and costumes. The attention to detail, the ability to “figure it out,” the willingness to not settle for something that will merely work but will also propel the story – these baby steps and giant leaps have us motivated to excel as we prepare to start rehearsals tomorrow.