Dial phones, typewriters, and gallows! Oh my!

Hi everyone!

I am Michael Rosegrant, the Head of the Props Team for this show! Here is a little peek into what we have been doing thus far:

First, I went through the entire script and highlighted every reference to a prop in the show:

Then I was able to create a rudimentary props list that contained 74 different props! I then went over the list with our director, Mr. Monk, who told me what props were unnecessary. Here is a photo of what I call my "annotated" props list in which I described each prop and highlighted them based on how we will get them. (Pink=make, yellow=buy and then modify, and green=buy):

Then I met with my team to assign each prop to a person. We went right to work building and purchasing our props. The first items Carly Carter (a member of the team) and I bought were two antique phones and an atomizer (which is basically an antique perfume spray bottle).

Afterwards, Noah Fraize, one of our team members with experience in engineering and set building, and I went on to build our fully functioning gallows! Gallows were what people in the 1930's used for execution by hanging. To ensure safety, we keep the rope that will hang a sandbag locked up:

Once we acquired more and more props, the actors could begin to incorporate them into their rehearsals: 

Here is our director, Mr. Monk testing out our working typewriter!

Our phones and typewriter set up on the table used for rehearsals

Another responsibility of the props team is set decoration. But Michael, I read that Mia and Ben are in charge of the set? They certainly are! While they focus on the overall design, structure, and building of the set, we are finding items that will help give the proper ambiance of the setting. This includes telephones, extra typewriters, a great deal of newspapers, stacks of papers, and wall decorations such as a map of Chicago. We will be able to work on this over Spring Break when we have completed most (if not all) of the set.

The next big step in our process will be taking inventory of all of the props this Friday, the 4th, and finding out what we will need to get by next Friday, the 11th.

Check back in later for more photos of our props!

Oh, you mean that thing BEHIND the actors?

Hello world! This is Mia Rickenbach, one of two set designers for the show! Ben Jordan is my partner-in-crime for set design and construction. This is what we have done so far and plan to do for the set for The Front Page!

First, we researched past sets for the show and other newsrooms and offices from that period. These pictures were our main inspiration.

 

 

From there, we sketched many examples and discussed with the director about blocking for the show.

 

 

 

 

 

Outlines of the dimensions of each wall:

Window placement:

For this set we have four large tasks to complete:

1.       Breakaway glass window

We will be using a pure form of sugar called Isomalt to create sugar glass.

2.       Roll-top desk that an actor can fit inside

Though we have a large desk, we will be removing the back so that the actor can stretch his legs out behind the set when the top is closed.

3.       8x4 main table

If we cannot find a desk this large, we will build our own!

4.       “Phone Call Room” when one character calls another, the man on the line must be visible to the audience

One of the walls will be split in two sections which can roll away. Behind these we will have a fully dressed office space for the man on the line. Lighting during these scenes will be completely dark aside from the two people talking on the phone.

To follow the building process, follow @CHS_TheFrontPage on Instagram!

Today, we interviewed the two stage managers for The Front Page, Carter and Claire. Both of them have stage-managed before; this is Carter's fourth time stage-managing and Claire's third. We learned a lot about what the job entails.

Every rehearsal, the stage managers take attendance, remove the props from the props cabinet so they can be used, set up the stage, read lines for actors who are missing, record blocking notes and line adjustments, ensure that everyone else is doing what they are supposed to be doing, and follow any directions Mr. Monk (the director) gives them. In addition to this, both stage managers keep everyone involved in the show updated about scheduling, rehearsal changes, and other miscellaneous notes.

"It's crazy. It's so much work and you're in charge of every aspect of the show, basically. It really is stressful!" says Claire. Carter feels the same way and adds, "everyone comes to you with all of their questions, and you're just expected to know the answers to all of them. You have to be informed."

With informing us about everything the stage managers must do to make the production a success, we asked about the current status of the show. It is still in its early stages, but Claire believes that "the show is going very well for this point in time." Adds Carter, "it definitely is a work in progress. The actors still need to work on just memorizing their lines!" But Carter and Claire both know that the show will work out in the end and jokingly add, "we will win ALL the Cappies!"

Despite the stress, Carter and Claire both genuinely love stage-managing. They love the responsibility that is placed upon them and feeling necessary to the production. They also enjoy some of the special privileges that come with the job, like watching all of the auditions in the very beginning. We asked them what their absolute favorite parts of stage-managing are, and while Carter says "yelling at everyone and ordering them around", Claire says "seeing the show come together from the first rehearsal to the final performance. I love watching the transformation." They both find their positions to be very rewarding.

Keep reading our blog to stay updated about The Front Page!

Front Page!

Welcome to Chantilly's Publicity teams blog for the Spring Main stage The Front Page!

Today we had a production meeting! During these meetings we have to focus on the backstage work, groups like lights, sounds, hair & make up, costumes, props, and publicity focus on what they need to have finished for the show.

This is the hair and make up team discussing what kind of hair styles they will need to use during the production so that the actors look like they are form the correct time period.

Since all of the production teams are trying to be nominated for a Cappie award, it is important that we take photos of our progress! Here, we have the head of props, Michael, taking a picture of his time-period props, such as a typewriter and telephone!

After the production meeting ends and everyone is assigned their jobs rehearsal begins for the actors! Here we see part of the cast onstage while the stage manager, Carter, reads along with them.

Working on the show is super fun and we hope you keep reading this blog to stay updated on all the news for The Front Page!