Clark in Sarajevo - A Challenge

Spawned from my comment on a fellow bloggers blog: http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/sean_b/all_the_worlds_a_stage#comment-33948 I might blog this process. It could be interesting. . . . TS306 - the unit which has one assignment. To direct and stage a class production. Easy? Aha. You're funny. A approximately 2hr long script. A cast of 26. Many interesting and innovative ideas and personalities. 3hrs a week. 13wks. That's our challenge. So wk1 - We were introduced to the script. Had a readthrough to get a feel of the script, an idea of the characters and possibilities this script offers. And there are alot of possibilities. With 27 minds in one room there are probably more ideas then usual. lol. Wk2 - After researching the plays history and the events upon which it is based we have agreed on how we are to approach this touchy topic. The Seige of Sarajevo in Bosnia from 1992-96(ish) is a close event both time wise and also culturally. Many people in our class know people who migrated to Australia for reasons relating to these happeneing and with the final person convicted of war crimes only 2yrs ago it is a topic that must not be made funny and be approached carefully and with a great deal of thought. This week also saw the decision on where to stage this production. There was much discussion and debate and we finally agreed on using one of the unis largest lecture halls in the main admin building. Yeh, a classic uni lecture hall. Think of the possibilities. Levels. Intergrating the audience. Stairs. Audio projections (of which the play requires many). Rafters to shift our lighting equipment onto. A sound box already there. Multiple entrances/exits. Petitioning. etc. We blocked the opening with the introduction of the chorus and the lead character - Clark. Effective and innovative - I think. We have put a challenge to ourselves - particularly with the plays topic and our decision on staging. I may or may not continue blogging this. It depends. If not you may simpl have to come and see it for yourself. ~ Tari