The Time Is Free

It’s been one week since we closed Macbeth.

And all I can say is thank you. Thank you to the actors, artists and technicians for making it happen, for the audience that came out and supported it, for the donors who helped to fund it, and for the people and places that make up downtown Elgin. This is truly a place where exciting art can exist, risks can be made, and old stories can be given new life for an eager audience.

Productions like the one that just passed “set me up in hope” for the future and the possibilities of what it will bring.

Every Ending Has A Start

People need to tell their stories.

That’s one of the lines from The Guys. I never get tired of hearing it. And with this production, there are many stories to tell. The play resonated with everyone I talked to and they all had a story to tell about that day.

Sean Hargadon (Director), Jim Pierce (Nick) and Lori Holm (Joan) in front of George Kokines' "St. Nicholas" made out of iron, plaster and wood

The last three days have truly been a memorable experience. Presenting this play in tandem with George Kokines’ artwork in early September created an event that was completely relevant and moving. We can’t thank enough all the people who attended the production, the people who worked to make it happen, and the artist and playwright who created the work.

 

But this ending has created a new beginning.

Next Saturday, September 11, Janus Theatre will present The Guys in a special free performance following the dedication of George Kokines’ art installation “September 11″. The play will be performed in one of the community rooms at approximately 11:00 a.m. It will be a raw performance with just the actors and the audience, so if you’re around next Saturday, please come out and see Lori Holm and Jim Pierce reprise their roles.

Another little humble beginning happened this weekend when Madeline Rose Hargadon (yes, she’s my 4 year old daughter) became our official “Program Girl” passing out programs at our Sunday performance with Erin Hargadon (yes, that’s my wife) who is due to give birth to another little Hargadon - Will – in October.

Box Office Mom (Erin) and Program Girl (Maddie)

The Day After

Last night was fantastic! No, really, it was.

I knew going in to it that we would have a strong opening, but what ended up happening is that we had to turn away people – including the Mayor of Elgin and his wife.

So with a delayed starting time and an overstuffed house, the first annual Elgin Short Play Festival opened. As we began, it was apparent that the audience was feeling out these Rebeck plays. But by the end of the first act, they were completely with us and the show.

Then came the second act, where the tone changed as we entered another part of Rebeck’s writing. This act was more serious and somber. She’s reflecting on the difficult choices we make in our daily lives.

I think this threw the audience for a loop. Honestly, it threw me off a bit as well. I knew the second act was different, but wow, what a change. The actors were still sharp and intense, but the plays had a different feel about them altogether.

Of course tonight is a new night with a new audience, so we’ll see what happens. As I mentioned earlier, it’s always interesting to see how an audience responds to your work. The way they respond influences how an actor will respond. It’s truly a binary relationship. Even during the comedic portions of last night’s performance, I was hearing things from the audience that I never expected. They were picking up on things I hadn’t notice. It was exciting.

I guess that’s what always brings me back to staging these types of projects: letting my curiosity guide me down the rabbit role to see what will happen.