Steel Magnolias
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1617
Printed Date: 6/05/25 at 9:57pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Steel Magnolias
Posted By: slicksister
Subject: Steel Magnolias
Date Posted: 9/24/05 at 7:45pm
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Love, love, love this show and I am so excited to be directing it in the spring. One question...for now at least... for those of you who have done this show... did you use a live actor backstage for the DJ or did you record it? How did that work for ya? (Sheesh, now I sound like Dr. Phil!) ------------- The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing |
Replies:
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 9/25/05 at 9:15am
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I used a recording both times. It worked great. Linda |
Posted By: DWolfman
Date Posted: 9/25/05 at 10:48pm
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Have been the recorded voice for the DJ twice, almost a third time, but the show was cancelled for technical problems. First two times were on tape, this last I actually did a CD, but... ------------- Even a man who is pure of heart... |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 9/26/05 at 12:46am
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For our production I was able to persuade a very popular DJ from one of our area radio stations to record the bit for me. It was great -- he did it in the radio station's studio in one take and was very genuinely nice about doing it. And of course it had a very authentic quality about it, too.
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Posted By: slicksister
Date Posted: 9/26/05 at 10:12pm
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OH my Gosh! That is such a great idea. I have a theatre friend who is also a DJ at the radio station. What was I thinking? Why didn't I think of this. (Smacks self on forehead) I'm gonna see if he'll do it for me. Thanks Kathy S.! ------------- The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing |
Posted By: Dustmac
Date Posted: 9/28/05 at 8:01pm
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I directed Steel this summer and it was the most successful production in the history of our theater. What we did was what someone suggested. One of my actors knew someone who was friends with a deejay. We recorded the part (I actually changed a few of the lines in it) and then we recorded music underneath as his part was ending. It made it sound like it really came from the radio. If you can find a way to get that done it will add to the show. |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 9/29/05 at 2:36am
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Dear Slicksister, Now, now... Forehead smacking isn't good for you! I am really proud of how our show turned out, so if you want to see our photos of our show, go to http://www.iowariverplayers.org/past.html - http://www.iowariverplayers.org/past.html |
Posted By: slicksister
Date Posted: 9/30/05 at 10:14pm
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Kathy, the pictures look awesome. I knew who every character was just by looking at them. And I LOVED how you made one wall of the set the outside of the house with siding and a window that looks into the house. It took me a second to "get" it but when I did...great! Loved the costumes and the set too. We have a thrust stage so I only have one wall to work with. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to do with that. Our theatre has been around for 20 years. This last year they took a survey of every audience at every show. One of the questions they asked was "What show have you enjoyed in the past that you would like to see revived." The overwhelming answer was Steel Magnolias. They did it 10 years ogo. I was honored to be chosen to direct it as I have only been affiliated with this company for a year. ------------- The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/02/05 at 2:57am
It?s great to see your site updated again! The mise en scene depicted in your photos is fantastic! What is great is the fact it is not a shop style hairdressing salon, but is an extension of an ordinary house, converted to accommodate a shop. The aspects of a utilising the veranda & depicting the weather board of the building is a great achievement indeed. I know I have related this story before to you, of my previous involvement with this production, which did tend to bring out of the wood work the women?s liberation front. To the point of banning all male members from the theatre during the 3 months rehearsals period. I was asked to remotely design the set & lighting for them & do all the basic set building & rigging the lights. Without actually being allowed to be involved with the rehearsal/production process what so ever. Our little band of 3 mere males involved, thought it was hilarious. The theatre was in a small town in the south west of the state & wasn?t considered weird but normal & more typical of their idea of theatre anyway! We had to communicate via phone & instruct each of the crew of the best way to achieve things in the production, it was pathetic - but we went a long with their little game! When it came to the tech rehearsals, they relented & requested our attendance only during the day time, as they had major problems. When I seen the set I nearly walked out thewn, because although they had my model, plans & we had even put up the flats in place. They had completely missed the concept of a house with an added extension of a salon. They had converted it to a full blown shop & even added a shop window, Not only but also, they had painted everything stark white. They didn?t appreciate my comment of having to supply sun glasses to all the punters as they came in! What we should have done is left right then, but ego took over & stupidly we didn?t! After replacing the shop window & toning down the white walls with a light blueish scumble wash & matched in the set dressing. I explained to them the 60/30/10 principal & we left them to it. Being a small town the males of the village stayed away in droves. For some reason or other? ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: slicksister
Date Posted: 10/02/05 at 4:45pm
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The point of turning the shop into a full scale salon with a shop type window is absurd! The script calls for it to be a remodeled carport and the son of the owner (Truvy) lived up above it. ------------- The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 10/02/05 at 11:25pm
| We later took a scene from this show to our state festival and took some very nice awards with it. The set was a miniature version of this one, but stayed very true to the original with a few improvements. The costumes were really "kicked up a notch" -- particularly Ouiser who ended up in the wildest get up you could imagine (leopard print dress with a chartreuse overblouse, extra padding in the butt and bust, overdone with jewelry and gaudy shades). Again, a really fun improvement. Our set and costume designer was named outstanding for both, and our Clairee named outstanding actress. |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/03/05 at 2:47am
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Well done Kathy! You did very well with the festival! My PC fried about the same time & I never did find out how you got on with the tour set? Did you use the Pop Out method or devise something else? ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 10/05/05 at 10:28pm
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Not quite a pop out set. It was really quite elaborate and we were amazed that we could set it up and strike it within the alloted 10 minutes. I'll try to locate the photos to email to ya, Joe. |