The Cal Shakes Scramble

Glenn Carroll, Development intern extraordinaire, returns to the blogosphere.

I ask you, what better way can one start the new year than with AN INTERN BLOG? The Cal Shakes Scramble (not a McDonald’s breakfast option), as I’ve come to call my day-to-day existence, varies from researching local wineries to improving our filing integrity to trying every single bit of holiday candy goodness that comes in this office. In fact, I’ve never come so close to contracting diabetes as during the last three weeks of 2010, when everyone decided that the printer table at the end of the hall was the perfect place to put any delectable homemade confectionary delight.

Not having spent much time in offices during the holiday season, I never quite understood why every adult always lamented the increase in office junk food during this time. I mean, a different type of baked good every day? I would be the last to complain.

Unfortunately for my cholesterol and waistline, I spend a lot of time at that particular printer. And once the cookies started pouring in, I decided my time spent there should really increase. An envelope for the printer, a piece of fudge for me. Some letterhead for the printer, two gingerbread cookies for me. The day someone brought in truffles held a clear-cut victory for Glenn Carroll over the truffle-people in a very short amount of time. You can see where this is going.

After quite a canker sore, I begin this new year with plans to eat less processed sugar, and write more blogs. Hopefully the blogs will deal more with what I actually learn and work at here than what I eat, but I make no promises. Good luck to everyone else keeping their resolutions!

Introducing Glenn, 2010/2011 Development Intern

The Bay Area is new to me. Originally from L.A., I moved up at the beginning of September for a part-time, unpaid internship in the Cal Shakes development department, a.k.a. my “post-graduation opportunity,” which is what I tell my employed friends. While this move may seem bold to some, I could tell from my first phone interview that Cal Shakes was the type of supportive, positive work environment that I had been craving.

Of course, I’d never seen one of their plays.

So clearly my number-one agenda item upon arrival was to see Much Ado About Nothing, the last show of the 2010 season. It would be very difficult asking people for money, garnering support for the company, and doing my daily work if I had never actually seen what I was supposed to be in full support of. I mean, there’s really only so far my BSing will get me.

Which is why I found myself one warm Friday evening at 7:59pm—having just parked my car between a rock, a hard place, and two very large minivans—running up what seemed to be the Mt. Everest of hills. Having stood in line at Zachary’s for 45 minutes, I was now in possession of a deep dish pizza so heavy it acted as a dumbbell for my friend Mary and I as we raced up the hill. Actually, as I discovered the next morning with aching muscles, we created a very effective exercise system for ourselves, namely running up steep asphalt drives while holding 10-pound pizzas at a 90-degree angle to your body while laughing so hard you almost pee your pants; it works your thighs, shoulders, biceps, and abs, respectively. Of course, the pizza soon countered all calories burned.

I should certainly know better than this. Being a theater person myself, I’ve always thought it rude to arrive late to a show and that you really ought to be in your seats 10 minutes before curtain. Really, people. It’s not asking much.

But of course it was asking a bit much for me that evening. Finally, out of breath, sweaty, and starving, we raced through to the entrance. “We’ve got the last two audience members rushing on their way right now,” I overheard on a house staff walkie-talkie. Great. They were holding the house for us. I was certainly making a poor first impression as the new development intern. We scrambled over other patrons to finally sit down in our seats with our pizza/dumbbell. Which is when I discovered we didn’t have forks, knives, or napkins. Plus, no one around us was eating. Does this mean everyone has already eaten? Or even worse, are you not supposed to eat in the theater? Obviously I know this for your typical, indoor house, but I thought the whole Bruns idea was picnicking under the stars while watching a show. I mean, this isn’t some candy either. We have an entire box of pizza on our laps. That we now have to eat with our fingers.

At this point, if we’re keeping tally, I have lost five points for being late, one point for each person I crawled over to get to my seat (three points total), 10 points for bringing a pizza into the theater, and four points for eating deep-dish pizza with my fingers. Subtract an extra two for being sweaty. That makes a grand -25 for Glenn Carroll, struggling Cal Shakes superstar.

But hey, there I was! I scrapped by and made it, and, as the opening music began and onstage revelry opened the scene, I soon forgot my last hour of misfortunes and fell into the wonderful world we had created. I happen to love Shakespeare, which means I absolutely-completely-and-utterly loathe poorly done Shakespearean productions. Other shows can be bad, but when Shakespeare is bad, it’s really awful.

Which is why I was so utterly delighted with Much Ado. The production was just delicious—witty, energetic, and entertaining as all get out. Not only that, but Mary—my cohort that evening, who does not especially like theater—was giggling more than I was! And what a relief, knowing that, of course, I will be able to fully and completely endorse Cal Shakes during my time here because this production was wonderful! What a commendable organization to be a part of, with their combination of fine theater, relaxed atmosphere, and the outdoors. I’m officially a fan. (No, really, check Facebook).

Since then, my experience working in the office has continued to increase my esteem for Cal Shakes and what we do here. I can’t wait to continue updating everyone on my exciting (and probably hilarious) adventures here this year! Until next time.

Shall not be long but I'll be here again!

The title of my (final) blog comes from Ross in the current production of "Macbeth", but it has personal meaning - as of this past Friday, I am an intern no more. It's both a sad and happy time: I've had the absolute time of my life at Cal Shakes over the past 2 years, seeing three productions I was involved in make it to the stage ("Romeo & Juliet", "John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven" and "Macbeth"). If there's anything left to be learned in an internship, I certainly can't think of it (although, of course, I hope I never stop learning!), and I was lucky enough to get to see 2 previews of "Macbeth" from the audience. I was enthralled watching the show, even having seen it at least 10 times prior in rehearsals - Joel Sass, the actors and designers have all done an amazing job, and my goodbye to everyone Thursday night after notes was a tearful one. I am once again back in hot, humid and rainy Gainesville, Florida starting my Senior year, but all the love and lessons learned at Cal Shakes follow me here, and will for the rest of my life. So to all the actors, designers, stage managers, administrators, educators, production crew, office staff and devoted patrons who have come into my life these past two seasons, know you will stay there forever. So until next time (and there will be a next time, promise!), "I take my leave of you; Shall not be long but I'll be here again!"

-Dallas

Stage Management Intern '09-'10

When the hurly-burly's done

"Agatha Christie, I love blood!" - Joel Sass, Director

That's how the first day began, and with the first week of rehearsals for "Macbeth" (or "Forever Plaid", as Lady M Stacy Ross calls it) nearly behind us, he hasn't let us down. Joel has worked hard with Dramaturg Philippa Kelly and Text Coach Lynne Soffer to make a contemporary and relatable adaptation of Shakepeare's supposedly cursed play, while maintaining the integrity of the original. It's recognizable yet new, and so is the staging. Along with the designers, Joel and the actors are creating a world that is so much like ours, but hard to place; very realistic, but somehow dreamlike; modern and classic. Most importantly, he's worked hard with Mr. and Mrs., Jud Williford and Stacy Ross, to create a couple that everyone knows and relates to, yet sinks to the darkest depths of ambition - all while somehow keeping those viewing from being able to choose a side. How can you relate to a serial killer? Because perhaps despite never having committed murder, everyone's let their ambition get the better of them at some time or other, and then felt the pain of guilt later. But enough about the serious stuff, let's talk blood! There's plenty of it in this production (remember last season's "Romeo & Juliet"? - go bigger). And it's not just gore for the sake of shock and awe, it's creative gore. Artistic blood. Take what you think about when you think of "Macbeth" - witches, cauldrons and sword fights - and toss them out the window. This show will surprise and frighten you, especially when you realize how meaningful Shakespeare's words still are in this modern age. It's safe to say you won't be disappointed.

-Dallas Kane, Stage Management Intern

Geraniums and laughter!

Dallas, back again with more tales of the intern life! It's been just over 2 weeks since the closing of "John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven" at Cal Shakes. The show was spectacular, perfect weather nearly every evening, not to mention an amazing group of people. Every day was a new challenge - speaking from a backstage perspective- but actors, crew, costumes, props and the set all held out till the bittersweet end (save for the party lights on the poles, which finally succumbed to the pressure on the closing matinee). The run crew, made up of myself, SM PIP Lauren, PA Christina and Deck Manager Sam, along with Lighting PIP Krista and Stage Manager Briana, had a fantastic photo shoot on closing weekend, complete with photos in the Model T Ford, "geraniums and laughter" and that infamous peach scene. I've included a photo at PIP coordinator Daunielle's urging (don't be alarmed, they finally realized they'd left me behind and waited for me to catch up). Closing was, as I said, bittersweet. Briana, myself and the actors had worked on that show daily for a little over 7 weeks, not to mention the Word for Word ladies and others who had workshopped it for the past 3 years. It was time to put it to rest, though, since "Mrs. Warren's Profession" had to move in to prepare for its opening, which was this past Saturday. I've mostly been on book, prompting and taking line notes through previews which is a welcomed physical break from the running up and down stairs from "Pastures" (here's some math that will make your legs ache: I went up a total of 36 flights of stairs per performance, equalling 936 total during the run, which in perspective is about 17 Eiffel Towers)! "Mrs. Warren", by the way, is fabulous, and a total 180 from "Pastures". It's amazing to me how the Bruns and the actors can transform so greatly from one production to the next. Stacy Ross has become one of my heros on this show - she's absolutely fascinating and and has such a presence on stage, and off, too. I am literally counting down the days (8) until I get to experience her Lady Macbeth. You still have plenty of time to see Stacy and the rest of the cast rock "Mrs. Warren's Profession", but get your tickets now! The SF Chronicle loved it, and so will you.

Until next time,

Dallas

Intern Eden Meets the Muralists

My name is Eden Neuendorf; I’m an artistic department intern at Cal Shakes. I attended the Meet the Muralists event on Saturday, June 26, after the 2pm matinee of John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven.

It was a very hot day, but quite a few patrons stuck it out to listen to Salinas' José Ortiz (pictured below right in a photograph by Jay Yamada) and six of young muralists of Hijos del Sol describe the Pastures mural in the plaza, titled Las Pasturas del Cielo. People were very attentive while José spoke about the mural and his process, even applauding after the answer to a question from the audience. Many patrons stayed after the talk had ended just to ask more questions and to personally thank José and the boys. Patrons seemed very grateful of and amazed by the work.

What most interested me was to hear about the strong connection José and his students felt after reading Pastures of Heaven, and about how they felt a mural was the best way to present that connection to the stories. José gave a brief description of each story depicted in the mural, and also gave the illustrators a chance to say what part of the mural they had worked on. José said they all fought over the painting of Tularecito, because as painters they all connected closely with that story. It was also one of their favorite parts of the play. It was so amazing to hear how much these young artists connected to the story.

During the talk I was struck by the depiction of the sunset at the very far right side of the mural (photographed below by Paul Doyle). I’ve seen the mural so many times, but for some reason this was the first time I really saw the sunset. But Saturday afternoon, the picture and José’s description of the artist's intent really spoke to me. The sunset was painted with different shades of grays, which aren’t the colors you typically think of when you think about a sunset. They were trying to depict the Salinas sunset, ending the mural's story with lots of grays and just a glimmer of color and hope. This is how they interpreted the end of Pastures of Heaven. It’s beautiful; I’m thankful I was finally able to see it and to fully appreciate it.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

The week is drawing to a close and I feel like a senior in high school all over again. I have been bitten by the summer bug, and concentration seems ever-elusive. Yet at the same time I am loath to think about the fact that I am now entering my last week as an intern with Cal Shakes. Sadly enough this will be my first and last blog. I am an oddity when it comes to the Professional Immersion Program (PIP) as I did my internship from the beginning of January through this last week in June. Being here on the front side of the season did have its advantage, as I was able to see all the upheaval that goes into the preparation for an excellent summer. It was fascinating to be around the office when there were maybe 25 people total, in comparison to now, when the building is constantly buzzing with scenic construction, office work, and actors coming and going from rehearsal. It is an exciting environment and even more exciting is the fact that I got to see the transformation and be a part of it.

This week has been as busy as ever, as rehearsals for Mrs. Warren’s Profession are in full swing and Pastures of Heaven is about to enter its final week. Being an artistic intern provides the opportunity to dabble in a little bit of everything. From moving furniture and scrubbing floors in order to prepare the new green room, to scheduling, making phone calls, and doing errands, helping manage the company, and making sure all the artists are taken care of, there is never a dull moment in the artistic office! Needless to say I had no idea what I was actually getting into when I signed on as an artistic intern, but I loved every bit of it (even exhausting tech days where all I wanted to go do was go home and sleep). I have to say that after spending four hours one day spreading woo dchips over the groves I have a new appreciation for them!

I got to see Pastures of Heaven in its entirety for the first time at the Student Discovery Matinee last week, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast works so wonderfully as an ensemble and create such great interweaving stories that it is fun and exciting to watch; I would thoroughly recommend it to everyone. Besides, who wouldn’t enjoy coming out on a beautiful night to have a picnic and then watch a play that takes place not too far from here, against the beautiful backdrop of the Orinda hills. Working with Cal Shakes really has been the most amazing experience and I will miss all the fantastic and superb people that work here!

Therefore, I say not goodbye, but until we meet again!

—Brianna Hill

"You don't eat chicken? What's wrong with you? Everyone likes chicken!"

The title today comes from John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven, the upcoming show for the season at Cal Shakes as well as the first show in the new home at the Bruns! Very exciting stuff. Also exciting is the new PIPS - interns, if you will - who were oriented today (I'm going to go ahead and guess that word is right since Blogger didn't underline it in red)! They are a cool bunch and it's going to be great having more people around, especially since this season is really taking off! Rehearsals have been long and exhausting, but really fun and full of creativity. The rehearsal hall has been bustling and loud these past couple weeks. This show is truly one of a kind thanks to Octavio Solis, our playwright and complete genius. I'm so lucky and thankful to get to work with all the wonderful people of this production and I am counting down the days until there is an audience that gets to feel the same joy I feel every day in rehearsal. There have been moments, just at the first go of a scene, where actors are amazed at what they see. Richard, who plays Richard Whiteside and Jimmie Munroe (among others), leaned in the other day and whispered how jealous he was of the audience, who gets to experience a particular scene (I won't give away which one) without any preconceived notions of what they are about to see. I agreed - it is so rare that I sit in rehearsal and am jealous of the people who will watch something totally unaffected by the process of developing it and just simply experience the emotions. This is one of those plays. Opening night is going to be an emotional and magical night at the Bruns, and it is only 16 days away, so get your tickets now!

Until next time,

Dallas

There's talk of gold

Last post June 29, 2009?! We must amend this!

Dallas, here...again, back for round two at Cal Shakes! This time I'm not a hybrid, but a full-blooded Stage Management intern! My job: make John Steinbeck's The Pastures of Heaven work - along with the other ladies of stage management, Briana (SM) and Katie (ASM).

Rehearsals began Thursday following a read-through and company gathering Wednesday with designers, management, dramaturgy, all eleven actors, director Jonathan Moscone and even the playwright Octavio Solis (who has adapted the script from John Steinbeck's novel of interconnected stories). It was straight to work, on the feet and on the same set that will be used in the actual show completely put together in the rehearsal hall. And let me tell you, it's BIG. Gigantic. Practically an entire house, all designed by Annie Smart. Jonathan has them doing amazing things already, including each playing multiple characters and a couple surprises that are too good to give away! Complete with an original score and choreography, let's just say this world premiere is bound to be one of the greatest shows Cal Shakes has ever produced, so you don't want to miss it!

On another note, the new interns arrive in one week! It will be exciting to have more interns around, and in our new home at the Bruns! So if you see any new faces around in the next few weeks, be sure to welcome them to the family!

Until next time,

Dallas

Making a lot from a little.

This is Daniel, blogging from a little cafe on Telegraph Avenue. Romeo and Juliet ended over a week ago, and since then, we production interns have had plenty of free time to relax away from the Bruns. A project we've been working on together has been the Five-Week Conservatory production. I'm designing the lights, Lyrica is the master electrician, Jonathan is the sound designer/engineer, Edgar is the props master, and Julie and Erik are designing, building, and painting the set.

It's a fun process, despite our limited resources. The theater at the school is beautiful but, ah, a little outdated. With some hard work, improvisation, and a lot of extension cords and gaff tape, Lyrica and I were able to get the lights up and running. It'll be a two-person job to keep all of the dimmers, switches, and levers involved moving during the show, but I'm looking forward to it already.



The house of our theater, at Holy Names High School.



Cal Shakes Master Electrician Heather consulting with us on the lights.



You read it right—the dimmers were installed May 25, 1931. And they still work!



Old-fashioned glass fuses burn out easily but are cheap to replace.



This is Ellie, the Assistant Master Electrician's dog. She's adorable.

Other goings-on have included the San Francisco Gay Pride parade, which was even bigger and crazier than Bay-to-Breakers, and preparation for Private Lives, the next Main Stage show, and regular PIP intern training sessions. See ya next time!

Endings and Beginnings

Dallas again with a much needed update from the intern world!

Today was the fourth day of Cal Shakes Five-Week Conservatory, my latest adventure in my internship. Before I get to that, though, a conclusion to my adventures with Romeo and Juliet. Sunday was the closing performance (I hope everyone had a chance to see the show!), and it was the hardest goodbye I've ever made to a show. The last performance was fantastic, with perfect weather and an even greater audience; I couldn't have asked for a better way to bid adieu to not only such a wonderful production, but also a great cast and crew. Calling California home is still new and strange, but with the families I've made with the fellow interns, the cast and& crew of R and J and everyone in the office at Heinz, the transition has been not only smooth but thoroughly enjoyable. So thanks, everyone, for an amazing first five weeks!

Now back to Conservatory. Five-Week Conservatory is a Cal Shakes camp for the most serious of young actors, where they learn not only acting but also movement, voice, text, stage combat, and improv, plus other master classes. Conservatory culminates in each of the five age groups putting on a one-hour abridged production of a Shakespeare work and I have, you guessed it, Romeo & Juliet with the youngest group, the Merry Kinsmen. These kids have ENERGY! But all that energy becomes enthusiasm and drive when we get into our afternoon rehearsals.

Today the group played silent teams with Heidi in Acting; I can't pretend that I wasn't terribly nervous about 14 eight-year-olds having to be nearly silent for an hour while acting and working as an ensemble, but they proved me wrong. Not only was their work creative and entertaining, but they did it humbly and with respect. They were able to point out how they worked together—even if they didn't get the role they wanted within each scene, they recognized what the ensemble lacked and how they could fill the hole. It was inspiring to see kids prove that a great ensemble is possible at any age.

After that, Stage Combat was a breeze as they reviewed the unarmed techniques they learned early in the week and moved on to using the swords that will be used in the production. Once again, the focus and talent was surprising—I often looked around and realized they were leaps and bounds ahead of me! Auditions rounded out the day and casting decisions were made (my first casting experience, so fun). It really makes me look forward to the next four weeks and the challenges and rewards ahead.

P.S. Don't forget to get your tickets to all five of the Cal Shakes Conservatory performances on Friday July 24 and Saturday July 25! Just click on the "Performance Tickets" link at the top of the Summer Theater Programs page of our website to get yours.

Our lovely trip to the A.C.T. warehouse, and more...

Emily again. This week (the week of June 15th) I mostly worked on props with Edgar and Daniel during the mornings. One day we got to go to the A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theater) Warehouse in San Francisco with Props Manager Caela (who, by the way, we discovered is an expert suburban parker).

The Warehouse was fabulous, huge, and full of wonderful things! I got some fun pics...

They were much happier than they look!




Wow! So big.

This week I also did a lot of data entry. Gotta love them evals!

Dan, Edgar, and I painted some chairs:



And we had a training day in San Francisco. Here's all of us on BART:




Next Up... camp! I can't wait!!

cheers!
Emily Sobolew

Ooooh Student Matinees...

I shall miss you so :( I really did enjoy myself today at our last Student Discovery Matinee, although I'd have to say that many of the kids were far less well behaved than the past groups we had and made some pretty obnoxious shout-outs during the show. Worse off, during the last half of the play I felt a small rock just miss my face & heard a rascal mutter "awww, you missed!" Ha ha... I'd like to think it wasn't for me. It was also pretty cold on this 10th day of June! (Not what I'm used to for summer time.) But like I said...I really had myself a good time! Listening to a fellow intern's lovely songs about her soda sales... and I really had a great group AGAIN! Big props to Unity High (pictured with me at right) for being so awesome & well behaved!
-Emily

The Private Lives of Costumes

Hi, it's me again, Courtney, the Costume Design intern.

As of yesterday, this is where my job kicks into high gear for my department. Yesterday, I met Katherine Roth, the costume designer for Noël Coward's Private Lives, who I will be assisting during the the show's preproduction. With the majority of the Cal Shakes family, I attended the PL Meet-and-Greet, wherein we met the cast and creative team for Private Lives. I also attended the read-through, which was a great way to put faces and voices to the script I read last week.

After that, my job was to call around the Bay Area looking for vintage clothing shops that carry 1930s men's suits and tuxedos. This is a challenging task in itself. If you know a few things about vintage clothing, you'll know that authentic 1930s clothing is becoming increasingly challenging to find in this day in age, due to how old the clothing is and the deterioration of the fabric itself. However, I was fortunate to find a few shops that look very promising in terms of carrying what we are looking for. A few of the shops are new ones I have never heard of, and one is a shop I have actually looked around in for a show I designed in the past.

As far as the women's clothing for the show, it looks like we are building our own clothing from existing items brought in by Katherine. We also might be building a few items from scratch, as well. It's always amazing to see how costumes evolve from a paper or muslin pattern to a three-dimensional costume that looks fabulous.

I met actress Diana LaMar—Private Lives' leading lady—for measurements, and we helped pick some rehearsal shoes for her to practice in.

On the agenda today? Looking at the stock (costumes) of one of our fellow Bay Area theater companies. Hopefully, we will find some great items that will work for our show.

PS!

Oops! Did I fail to introduce myself properly? I wrote the previous blog but I guess I missed that! I'm Emily, a soon-to-be-theater student at San Francisco State University and a lover of acting and theater ever since I learned to walk (if not sooner). I currently live here in the Bay Area, and I'm an Artistic Learning intern!

Emily's First ever and long, blog!

I have to say that my first week at Cal Shakes has been both exciting AND inspiring! Both, you say? Ah but yes, and I'm looking forward to more. Oooof course there are those long office hours labeling, seeing Excel in my sleep... but honestly, I've gotten to hang with some amazing people during those times, AND I actually do enjoy learning how to use these new programs and being a part of the operations of the fabulous theater company they call Cal Shakes. In admin the other day I got to organize the donation tickets that are given out, which was really nice because I called some schools that had requested donations to let them know that we are still planning on sending them out, and they were so excited... made me feel all gooey and warm inside. I would also like to mention that I would have hoped to blog a bit sooner than this, but had been working a pretty heinous work schedule along with my internship. I am still working during this internship, but have switched to night hours (makes a HUGE difference). I thought it'd be too intense to work at the same time, though I have no choice. However, I find that when I am here I'm having a pretty amazing time... and I even get a sec to relax here and there, so I think I'll be able to pull it off.

Now, a special happy color for the special experience that they call the Student Discovery Matinee. Last Thursday (yes, this is long overdue) I was assigned to Joaquin Moraga (middle schoolers) and in, all honesty, I was a tad worried about it. I didn't have such a great time in junior high and I know kids can be pretty awful to deal with at that age. So I wasn't expecting angels. But I was very pleasantly surprised. They were so cute! They listened to me, I didn't see any dirty looks or eye rolling, and they even had conversations with me! I went around and met each table, asked them about themselves and/or told 'em about me. By the end of the day they yelled "We love you Emily"! Eeeee! I was a bit verclempt. And to get to watch a Romeo and Juliet performance again was so great. I've seen it quite a few times now, but I haven't really got tired if it yet. It inspires me, I think it's a totally amazing representation of the play, and the actors are really talented—It inspires me and reminds me that this always has been the only thing for me, and I want to be up there on that stage!

Also within this week, I worked at a Tasting Night (ate SOOOO many peaches courtesy of Farm Fresh to you... mmmmmm) and attended an evening performance w/ comp tickets for me and my hubby!

I'm thrilled to have this opportunity and to be a part of Cal Shakes, and so far I love you all. I look forward to the rest of the summer and what there is to come.

Hot Days and Jello (Just Don't Mix)

Dallas here with another update from the intern world! We just completed performance number eleven of Romeo and Juliet and the show just keeps getting better! This past week has been pretty exhausting—two Student Discovery Matinees, one Meet the Artists matinee, one Shindig, two Tasting Nights, a smattering of backstage tours, not to mention Opening Night. It's a testament to the work ethic of this amazing cast and crew that we have even survived, but that's not to say there haven't been plenty of fun times. There have been countless Vespa rides around the Bruns, made-up lyrics to "Shut Up and Drive," mind-numbing games of Sets in the green room, and fight calls. Fight calls are slowed down versions of the fight scenes in the show that take place 45 minutes prior to curtain. With a slower pace comes room for improv and comedy, with versions of the Tybalt/Mercutio fight including Southern, Lisp, and Bored, with Julian (who plays the Prince) sitting in the audience, simultaneously reciting lines and reading The New York Times. It all leads to the seamless and realistic fight the audience then sees, ending, of course, in plenty of fake blood. I have included a photo of Craig Marker (Tybalt) taken especially for this blog just after said fight, and you can thank him for enduring the blood for this special photo shoot. Blood cleanup is messy at best, but things get especially difficult during matinees. After only ten minutes or so on the deck (the stage), which can become hot enough to burn bare skin, the Jello/Kool Aid mixture literally bakes in and becomes a black, sticky mess that resembles tar and is just as tricky to get up. It just goes to show that sometimes hot days and Jello just don't mix.

Craig Marker (Tybalt) bloodied after a run-in with Romeo and a chair

Intern Class 2009 with Daunielle (the internship program coordinator)

Lauren, SM Intern, riding a Vespa used in the show

Alycia, Deck Manager, enjoying an afternoon ride on the Vespa

Caitlin, Lauren, and Private Lives Stage Manager Liz taping the floor in the rehearsal hall

Romeo and Juliet and Berkeley

Hi all—this is Daniel Chavez, the Lighting Design intern, posting live from the intern house. I'm currently enjoying a night off and reviewing life out here in the Bay Area while I'm at it. I'm from Washington, D.C., and before this, I'd never been further west than Ohio, so it's been interesting adapting to life out here. I'm already in love with Berkeley, and I spend a lot of my free time going on long bike rides around the area, finding cafes, used bookstores, art supply stores, taking yoga classes, and all that.

We don't get into San Francisco much—it's a long train ride, and most things to see or do are worth a full day trip. Our first weekend here, my roommates and I went into the city for Bay to Breakers—which was unforgettable—stopping by Chinatown and riding a trolley on the way home. The fog in and around San Francisco and the hills of Berkeley is absolutely gorgeous, by the way. After that, it was time for orientation, and then we hit the ground running!

Tech week is always intense, and Cal Shakes is no exception. Working in electrics meant working an average of twelve to sixteen hours a day until all of the lights were hung and focused and the cues were built. I was lucky enough to be shadowing the assistant lighting designer during tech, so I got a great firsthand look at the process. The lighting designer, Russell H. Champa, is an incredible guy to work with, along with the assistant lighting designer and the master electrician—my boss, Heather. Still, it was a relief when we survived tech and transitioned into previews. After helping to set up the opening night party, work has consisted of operating the light board four days a week and general intern-y work.

With more free time since then, I've had more time to see the sights, like Muir Woods and the Golden Gate Bridge. Did I mention that I'm in love with this place? I don't have any pictures up from Golden Gate Park or Haight-Ashbury, but trust me, they're great, too. There are still more interns and more company-wide events to come, so I'm sure you'll be seeing more posts soon!

A few quotes from R&J tech:

Dir: We need Friar John's letter!
SM: What would you like?
Dir: Well, I'd like something that's not a piece of paper that says "Friar John's letter" on it in sharpie.

"The director's patting himself on the back. That means you guys did great."

Like Butter

The Intern blog has taken off once again and, as a blogger myself, I decided that today, the holiest of holy days, My Day Off (yes, it's a proper noun) would be the perfect time to hop on the bandwagon. I'm Dallas, Artistic Learning and Stage Management PIP, a kind of hybrid intern that may have just as easily hopped out of our Artistic Administrator's imagination as I did Florida.

I am one of the eight interns living in the intern house (you have read Carrie's entry, right?) and I could be known as much for my habit of singing Sheena Easton's "Morning Train" before work as for my love for baking. More dedicated Cal Shakes patrons could recognize our living room for being oddly reminiscent of last summer's Twelfth Night set, mainly because that's where a lot of the furniture came from. I've started the summer off on the Stage Management side, joining the brilliant team of ladies who make backstage at Romeo & Juliet the seamless and, might I say, highly attractive place that it is. Seriously, these ladies knows what it takes to make a transition run—and I quote R and J director Jonathan Moscone—"like butter".

There's more to it, of course, than moving chairs and locking the wheels on Juliet's bed; there's the side the audience sees yet never sees: the ridiculously clean moat. Yes, folks, this is like a backstage tour but without those pricey tickets. Let's review:

First, there's a stage to sweep. Easy enough, right? Wrong. It's textured and there's those darn stairs, not to mention backstage where actors lurk barefoot (a Stage Manager's nightmare, yet our time to shine). I won't spoil any details of the show for you, but let's just say it wouldn't be a daring Jonathan Moscone show if the actors simply stayed put on the stage. Mopping and vacuuming follow the sweeping, and a few groans follow thereafter. There's chairs to place, towels to hand off, props to set, torches to light, and a whole mess of other little details that go into making a show run night after night "like butter".

Hello from the costume shop!

Hi, I'm Courtney and I am the Costume Design intern in Cal Shakes' 2009 Professional Immersion Program.

A lot has happened in the first two weeks of starting the program ,and I am finally able to get into the flow of what is going on at Cal Shakes.

As a design intern, I will be doing a lot—going here, there, and everywhere in a couple of weeks' time. I will be shadowing and assisting the Private Lives costume designer in their creative process from concept to reality. I will also be designing the Five-Week Conservatory production, I believe, and that will be loads of fun. I am hoping to update more in the future about all of my experiences, so you can have a better idea of what happens in the costume department.

So far, the ladies in the shop are wonderful and so helpful, allowing myself and Kimberley, the costume shop intern, to become comfortable with where things are. I was also able to attend a tech rehearsal with costumes used for the first time for Romeo and Juliet last Sunday. It was great all this week to see how the shop crew, wardrobe crew, Naomi the shop supervisor, and Raquel, the designer, all work together to solve "blood" challenges with the costumes. It was truly a team effort to make the blood believable, and the shop and crew make it occur effortlessly show after show.

Most recently I helped out with a majority of the other interns for the Opening Night party, which went very well! Lots of cake, champagne, mingling...everyone had a good time during and after the show. As I was passing out champagne, I had many audience members tell me how they loved the show, and offer congratulations to Cal Shakes and their 35th anniversary! Cheers!

I am hoping the week to come has some more great learning experiences...so here's to a new week!