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2012-2013 Season

A Playwright's Perspective: Tech Week

by Ariel Mitchell, playwright

Tech week. Each night it becomes more real.

Every layer we add to the production (set, costumes, lights, music) helps me to see the world more clearly.

I came into production photos last Wednesday and saw the costumes for the first time. The whole cast was in Afghani clothing. I was surprised. I don’t know why. I mean, it’s not like they were going to perform the play in street clothes! And I did set the piece in Afghanistan. I didn’t recognize any of the actors, but all it took was close to solidify them into the characters they had already become: Nasima, Yasir, Laila, Azadeh, Zeman, and Hoda.

Last night, I saw the lights and heard the music for the first time. I was in shock. I really don’t know why these things surprise me, but they make me SO excited. I have waited so long to see the piece realized and then all of a sudden, one flick of a switch and it is. The combination of the presentational, vibrantly colored lighting and the hauntingly beautiful music translated me immediately to the far away land of the Middle East.

I can’t believe it. We’re getting so close…

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