| Notes and Comments for The Pied Piper |
| I was set to be assistant director of the show at around late June. So it's not like it was a last minute decision to not act and go to the production side of things. Friend Bianca Peltola told me that she would be directing the show and I asked to be her assistant director. Well being on the other side of the audition is just as draining. You don't have the nerves as such but you have to be there all day critisising people on their craft. So many wonderful people auditioned and yet there were only nine roles so there was a lot of dissapointment. This show also had it's share of casting problems, the role of the Mayor. Many fine actors were going to play the role but were foiled due to other commitments. But we were fortunate to solve the problem quickly. And the hard task of finding a Pied Piper, someone who could act, sing, dance and play the flute, was solved when Jillian Wood (who had just finished being a part of "Narnia: The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe") agreed to audition for us. So being an assistant director? In can be hard. I always saw the assistant director as a quiet member of the production team. There was an impression that I did nothing. I would whisper my comments, advise and suggestions into Bianca's ear. I gave advice and insight to cast rather then telling them what to do. And I would only "direct" when Bianca wasn't there. That's how I view the role of an assistant director. I did enjoy my time with the cast and it was fun to support the cast by going to most of the performances rather than the chore I thought it would be. Jillian and Fran were sweet enough to tell me how they appreciated my support. So while I didn't get the feeling I live for, that of being in the cast. There is something to be said for being part of the creative team. |