And So It's Done! Reasons to be Pretty

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So, yes, over the course of the last couple months, I - along with a host of others - have been incredibly busy multiple nights a week preparing for, and then putting on, a play.

Reasons to be Pretty is the story of four working-class friends who are struggling with the pressures of modern beauty norms. The main character, Greg, finds himself at the center of a love triangle when his girlfriend finds out that he described her as "regular" looking. The play examines the ways in which the characters' insecurities and prejudices affect their relationships with each other, and the wider societal impact of unrealistic beauty expectations.

I was the Stage Manager for this particular production. Typically, the Stage Manager's role is strictly a backstage role, responsible for ensuring that the show does, indeed, go on, and ensures that the cast and crew are in place, props are propped, and the tech booth knows what to do. For this production the Director decided to make this role an active stage role as well, so I got to spend quality time hurrying back and forth, to and fro, and this way and that performing both managerial and quasi-acting duties.

It was a tonne of fun.

This is me and my crew. We're not main cast; we're responsible for ensuring the main cast can do their thing.

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The Director did an awesome job of putting details into everything, right down to the name of the warehouse that the play takes part in: Cost Choppers. She even designed a logo for Cost Choppers, complete with a fist breaking through the price barrier. She declined my suggested company slogans: either We Fist Your Food So You Don't Need To, or Quality Food Fisting. Maybe next time.

Cost Chopper Logo.jpg

I had a lot of leeway as to what the crew did between scenes, right down to yelling up to the technical booth for Susie to either change the lights or music. During intermission we hung around on stage as if we were actual warehouse crew on a break. We'd have snacks, drink coffee, and played a lot of Uno. There were a number of people who actually worked shift work that told us just how spot on we were.

This was the last ever production at this building, and it was very emotional to be a part of it. This building will be demolished later this year while a new theatre is built from the ground up for us. It will be modern with parking (the current facility does not have parking) and two nearby restaurants to allow a proper night out and destination. We're all looking forward to that.

So now, for your viewing pleasure, the two hour performance of Reasons to be Pretty. (purposefully not placed on Youtube)

https://peertube.blindskeleton.one/w/pHvEzceDSm7bpZEGqxQ8rs


(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe


About Me

Sometimes photographer. Wannabe author. Game designer. Nerd. 
General all around problem-solver and creative type.

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8 comments
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Wowww... It's interesting to get a hint of what you and the team do in order to make things go as planned for this particular play. There is also something captivating about the name of the play.

I noticed the logo designed for 'Cost Chopper'. Hehe. Cool stuff.

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Congratulation. And thanks for sharing the video. 2 hours, I'm into the first five minutes and already decided not count the swear words anymore :-P

Gotta save this gem for the weekend when my kid is at grandma's.

!WINE

Posted using sloth.buzz

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Ah, yes, the language. We actually had a few people walk out due to the language. We even toned it down some from what was originally in the script!

I hope you enjoy it!

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Hehehe, I don't mind it, just gotta be careful when my kid is in the house.

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Sounds fun from here! It is so nice to be involved with a group like that. I loved theater groups, and used to be involved with the Polka Dot Playhouse in New Haven, Connecticut years ago.

The new build sounds like a winner! I am sure you will all build new memories there too.

Smile! You guys take a great picture!

I will have to watch the rest of the play when I get home or closer to a good port. Streaming is nearly impossible.

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It's definitely bittersweet to have these scenarios! The production sounds like it was a lot of fun but with the building being demolished, it's nice to be a final part of that history in the building and hopefully can be somewhere on the walls of it's historical memorabilia that they will hopefully put up at the new one, after it's finished.

It's funny, you look exactly like a realtor that we worked with last year! Much different state and a little different color hair but you could certainly be his cousin lol

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