Department of Theatre Arts
Design Meeting Notes
Production:
Stage Manager:
Date:
CHICAGO
Laurie Kincman
May 8, 2015
Director: (Mary)
We have a cast of 20 actors (including 1 replacement from the original list)
Early week rehearsals will focus on music and choreography- in evenings
Tuesday- music- could be in Toland
Wednesday- dance in Mitchell (All that Jazz), TBD other music
Thursday- dance in Mitchell (Cell Block Tango), TBD other music
The actors/characters NOT appearing in All That Jazz are: Amos, Mary Sunshine, Mama, Billy, Roxie,
Calahan
Mary will confirm the choreography v. staging breakdown with Kathy
Scenery & Technical Direction (Ron)
Ron walked Kathy through the details of the set
Some specifics on the Cell Block Tango units:
-7 feet high by 3 feet wide
-center bar connects jail wall and seat
-the seat can play upstage or downstage
-should not stand on the seats or grab way up at the top due to potential tipping
Hopes to use the desk from Shakespeare in Hollywood for Billy—it is on casters, and could be sat or
stood upon
Plans to finish the first Cell Block Tango unit next week so he can get feedback before building the rest
Will talk next week with Mary about Act II locations and the specifics of the courtroom
Has talked with Derrick about using the mirror ball at the end of the show
Showed an image of using a glitter curtain as framing rather than coming all the way to the deck—should
be possible with the one we currently own
PROPS
-Joe will take care of the red ribbons
-Mary will think about the newspaper headline placards
-The noose also needs further discussion
-ADD insurance papers on p. 33
-Need 2-3 cameras on p. 37
The list will be updated and transferred to a Google doc once a few conversations have taken place
Costumes (Joe)
Showed sketches for most of the show—he is hinting at period but also reflecting “Fosse” style
All costumes have a lot of black, and are danceable
Velma- leotard covered with a sparkly, one-sleeve overpiece that ends in a fringy skirt
Roxie- two piece leotard, black lace shift dress over the top
Female ensemble- variations in stretchy knit, all in black, with pieces to be added when they are other
characters
Male ensemble- black yoga-style pants, sheer black shirts/vests of varying styles
Mama- slip with godets, fishnets, robe with peacock trim
Amos- wool suit, bow tie
Billy- black pinstripe suit
Kitty & Mary Sunshine are still in progress
Roxie & Velma will change for the end
Roxie may also be in something different at the top of the show
Discussed mic placement- if thigh packs turn out to be the best option, we might need black mic belts
for them
Mary asked about “costuming” the band
(Laurie has double checked the list from Kat and she and Christine Stein are currently the only women in the pit)
Lights (Derrick):
Unable to attend this week due to a conflict
Sound (Nick/Ron):
Asked for a score and character/scene breakdown once they are available
Ron reminded everyone about the bandstand units and the keyboard covers
The need to double-mic Roxie & Velma will be discussed further at a later date
Stage Management (Laurie):
Will follow up via email about the meeting on the books for May 15
Will try to meet with Mary mid/late next week
Will get scripts copied once the vocal parts arrive so everything can be done at once
Crew (update since meeting ended)
Light board op- Sarah Korhnak
Sound op & Mixing Engineer- Nick Johnston
Deck Crew- Alex Brick (summer only), Gabe Hanson
Deck Crew and/or Spot Op- Izzy Anderson
Costume Crew- Katy Williams (summer only), Maddie Cordle
Will accept invitation to June 13 Artspire event- approximately 30 minutes and will include intro to
Department of Theatre Arts and Chicago, and a few songs from the show
Laurie has contact info for Artspire sound company so Ron can ask about hooking in our microphones
& keyboard
Our next meeting is TBA—it is uncertain at this time if we will keep the meeting
scheduled for May 15, or wait until May 26 to meet again.