Presentation Presented, 8Squared Space Search and Shakespeare Celebrations

And we are off! That's the first week of the new term complete. Monday we ran through our research presentations for our advisors, received our notes and then worked like mad to implement the notes and final changes in time for Wednesday's delivery date. We feel good about our work and hope the marking panel did as well. We await the score. I learned quite a bit about marketing imagery and how to tell a story through a single advertising poster. I'm sure it will come in handy for my future work.

The production team for 8Squared: A Night of New Writing reconvened to plan our next show. We face a few extra challenges this time around. Mainly because the school has denied our request for a performance space. Apparently there isn't a studio available. This will be a good exercise for Trish and me. We are the two from the producing course on the production team. The venue conundrum is an ever present issue for producers. Unless a theatre company has a permanent building of their own, there is always a search for a space. Heck, even with those that do have a home, many are constantly looking to renovate it or move to a new space. As producers we need to get comfortable and learn how to navigate through a venue search. We have already made some enquiries and I have confidence in our innovation and perseverance.

Yesterday the theatre and literature worlds paid tribute to William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of his death. A few of us from my course went to the local cinema to watch the live streaming of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Shakespeare Live!. The RSC showcased scenes from Shakespeare's plays as well as opera, musical theatre, music and dance performances that were inspired by Shakespeare and his works. We saw a bit of West Side Story which is based on Romeo and Juliet. We saw a duet from the opera Beatrice and Benedict by Berlioz that is inspired by Much Ado About Nothing. Duke Ellington's Black and Tan Fantasy based on Othello was represented. And many, many more. It was a delight to see so many stars participate in the show. David Tennant and Catherine Tate were hosts and Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, David Suchet, Harriet Walter and Ian McKellen were just a handful of the talents featured.

This week is a full schedule. The first musical theatre writing class is coming on Friday but before that, I've got tickets to shows, meetings to attend and most importantly, a performance space to acquire. I'll let you know how it goes.
In the meantime, have a look around your community and see what options are available for where can a performance group present a show.

Take care!
-m