Keeping track of where and when suitcases move!
It is a lot of work to put on a show. We have to have a director with a vision. The actors have to memorize their lines. The stage manager works on helping all the technical and onstage elements run smoothly. It is all about teamwork and dedication to the craft. Here you are able to see all the wonderful work done by the actors, directors, producers, and stage manager. However, one thing you may not think a lot about is the logistics of this particular piece. Especially when it comes to suitcases.
BYU Young Company travels to many schools across the state to perform for students and take the power of theatre off BYU campus. All of the set pieces and costumes have to be small enough to store in a single van that also fits actors and a stage manager. For this particular production, a special emphasis has been placed on suitcases. There is a wonderful and touching story here about the Pevensies and their own displacement from their home. Their displacement is caused by World War Two raging across Europe. They find refuge in the house of a kindly professor. The themes of foster children and displaced individuals is brought even stronger to us through director Claire Eyestone’s concept of suitcases.
There are 15 suitcases that make up the set of this play. Each of these suitcases has to be maintained and each one serves a very specific purpose. One unique part of this rehearsal process was suitcase tracking. Watch how different suitcases serve different purposes. Some become characters. Others hold many objects and props. Some are used to create specific places. All of these things had to be determined, and then remembered very specifically by the small group of actors. Here is an example of a suitcase tracking sheet that was made by actor Max Jennings.
We use suitcases for a variety of trips in our lives. Like the characters in our stories, there are many foster children who surround us. A lot of these children may move from home to home, in search of safety and love. Each child in foster care has items that they hold dear, and they are in need of suitcases to be able to transport those precious items to these new homes. We encourage you to help support a fund for these suitcases in the link on this page. We are grateful to be able to tell stories and hope those stories inspire action.
