Cheesecake of Theatre

For lack of a better introduction to a blog post, I will quote the brilliant director of Caucasian Chalk Circle:

"You will never create something that you can't execute well." – Laura Cuetara

Throughout the beginning of the rehearsal process there were a lot of uncertainties as is pertinent with any complex production such as Caucasian Chalk Circle. However, with a playwright like Brecht - the structure, language, characterization, staging and the various events are made up of layers upon layers of possibilities. This play is like a multi-layered cheesecake with a handful of new flavors not yet tasted by man. Many will avoid indulging such a delicious treat because of its complexity and seeming mysterious nature, yet the small and daring theatre department grabbed its' forks, loosened their belts and dove right in.

A professor of mine says:

"Art is the process of taking away." - Nathan Thompson

Laura manages to invert, reinvent and flip upside-down that process by taking away, putting back, copying and pasting, and taking away again. Through this process we, as one unit, are able to really rip the piece apart and see what's inside with Laura's direction. The cheesecake may look delicious on the outside, but wait till you see what's in store when you peel that away. A whole new way to look at theatre is opened up – I've started to see the true meaning of live theatre. Live theatre that's ever evolving. No matter what stage of the process the production is in - be it rehearsal, performance or even aftermath. That realization would not have been possible if it weren't for the combination of brilliant playwright, great direction, and most importantly – amazing people with human effort.

I have true faith in the success of the fall production of Caucasian Chalk Circle no matter what happens and hope to see you there. Enjoy the cheesecake as much as we will!



~ George Kotelnikov