Minecraft Theater Design Class!

 In crazy news: Stage West Theatre and I are offering a Minecraft based scenic design class!

Mining (Theater) Craft

Build a theater!  Design and build scenery!  In the blocky world of Minecraft enjoy all the fun and drama of IRL theater design: the joy of group effort and the satisfaction of individual creativity.  Play with 3 dimensional volume, levels, lights, color, and explore the possibilities of lava in performance... wait... what? 

A class for pre-teens and teens. You’ll need access to Minecraft Java Version (PC based) and just enough experience to place blocks (easy!) and to walk without falling in lava (easy! because in “Creative” mode you can fly).  You’ll need Discord for in-game conversation and messaging.  Completely online, this class will meet Thursdays 7-9, with access to StageWestWorld between times to keep on building.

Professional architect, award-winning set designer, and let’s-not-say-obsessed Minecraft builder, Clare Floyd DeVries is the guide as you master this sandbox game, mining its potential for theatrical creativity.  You'll need access to Minecraft Java version (PC based) and just enough experience to place blocks (easy!) and to walk without falling into lava (easy because in "Creative" mode you can fly!).  You'll need Discord for in-game conversation and messaging.

Learn more HERE at Stage West Education

Producing on Broadway

Listen to National Public Radio?

Public domain image courtesy of Clkr.com

As I was driving between theaters yesterday I heard a fascinating interview with theater and film producer Scott Rudin on Fresh Air.  HERE.

No wonder the guy has five (5! count'em!) shows up for Tonys this season, has produced hits like The Book of Mormon, and been part of an incredible list of prestigious work in theater and film.  He's devoted to Broadway - watched every show from 8 years old on and started working there at 15.  "I'm a complete product of mentorship," he says, having worked for one after another of the great Broadway producers, learning as he went.

He reinforces my theory that those people who really want something, really love something, really want to learn... do.  Real masters seem to be self-educating; either self-taught or by way of finding the right teachers and insisting they be allowed to learn.  

Frighteningly focused and driven, really.  Excellence ain't easy.  Or easy to learn (his story about getting one boss's artificial leg fixed is pretty funny).

Listen up!

High School Ambassador

Saturday was High School Tech Theater Day:

A fun chance to explain theater set design to a room full of interested students.  Some good questions.  Some Show-N-Tell.    (I have a big box of models, sketches, and production photos sitting on my drafting board now, waiting to be put away again.)  Some very bright kids who guessed the secret that I confirmed....

The Techies have all the fun!