FROM KATE CORDARO, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR TWO RIVER THEATER:
Since 2013, Two River’s education department has produced a
70-minute adaptation of a Shakespeare play, directed and designed by theater
professionals and performed by talented high school students. It is called A LITTLE SHAKESPEARE. There are many
backstage opportunities through this program as well – stage crew, assistant stage
managers, assistants to each of the designers and the director.
Annie Zucker has been a part of the Two River Theater family for
many years, writing and performing in various education programs as well as
being a 2013/14 Metro Scholar. Annie has served as the Assistant Director for
both A Little Shakespeare: As You Like It and A Little
Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, working with
adaptor/director Jason McDowell-Green. She graduated in May ‘15 from Ocean
Township High School and will begin studying at Boston University in
January ‘16, completing general studies through their January Boston-London
program, and studying film after that. When asked to write about working with
Jason and being the first (and second) Assistant Director for Little
Shakes, Annie had some lovely and insightful things to say about the
program. We will miss working with her for the upcoming A Little Shakespeare: Pericles, and we wish her the best!
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| THE CAST AND CREW OF A LITTLE SHAKESPEARE: MIDSUMMER |
From Annie Zucker:
Nothing can compare to
the sense of accomplishment during the curtain call of the Little Shakespeare’s
last performance. All the hard work that the assistant director does
during the course of the rehearsals, tech week, and actual shows is all worth
it when the actors take their final bow. Jason McDowell-Green is undeniably one
of the best directors to shadow if you have any interest in this field. In many
cases teen interns are the assistant TO the director, where as in Jason’s case
you are truly the assistant director. Throughout rehearsals you get to bounce
ideas back and forth with him, and he always is willing to listen and try your
point of view.
His work environment is a
very relaxed atmosphere, but with that privilege comes a lot of responsibility.
As the assistant director, you are expected to have read the show before the
first rehearsal and have a prior understanding of what is going on in the
script (trust me, this really helps). As rehearsals go from talks to actually
having the actors on their feet, you do get to be more interactive and be more
of a vital player in the game. Additionally, you listen in on meetings with the
costumers and set designers.
During the tech week, which is my personal favorite
time of a show, you are Jason’s notetaker. You sit with him as he watches his
show. He is looking at a hundred things going on, so it is really important to
be his scribe, so when he gives notes at the end of the run, he’ll remember to
tell the actors the little things that probably would have slipped his mind
otherwise. The actual run of the show is really fun as well, obviously. Staying
backstage you are there to run down the dressing rooms if someone forgot their
hat, help with quick changes, and just truly be that extra set of hands that
someone needs. Your duties of director are gone, and you step into the role of
joy. Especially during the show, you must just be present and enjoy every
second, yes that is a part of this job! If the opportunity comes up for a
chance to work with Jason, always take it. You will learn more than you ever
thought you could. Being the assistant director in the Little Shakespeare
program at Two River Theater is one of the best things you could do during high
school. So don’t pass it up!
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| ANNIE ZUCKER |
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