Stagecraft :: essays research papers

Sunrise in my Pocket, an American folk drama originally written by Edwin Justus Mayer, but adapted by Jeffrey Hayden for the Playmakers Repertory Company recounts the epic adventure of Davy Crockett, Tennessee statesman and frontiersman and his subsequent journey to Texas. Davy Crockett, portrayed effortlessly by Playmakers leading actor, Kenneth P. Strong, is accompanied by his faithful companion, Crawling Caterpillar, the gallant ex-pirate Hardin, the woman hating shell game, and the man-hating Annie each crock up was played respectfully by Douglas Spain, Mike Regan, Jeffrey Blair Cornell, and Jamie Rose.The success of Jeffrey Haydens production should be attributed to the sharp cast and their professional zeal that was evident in each individual performance. The main plot, the actual journey and the carefully woven sub-plots, between for example Thimblerig and Annie became the foundation for fun-loving adventure and perhaps in the imagination of the audience greater adventure u pon arrival in the Texas. The audience and thus the play greatly benefited from the role of the thrust stage, extending beyond the proscenium arch, the stage was surrounded on three sides by the audience. The thrust stage moved the action into the crowd the audience became an extra, part of the play, no longer an audience removed, but an audience part. The stage was also raked, or maintained a permanent slope atop a take auditorium floor. The sloped stage increased the rough-and-readyness of the thrust stage, further projecting the action into the audience. The task of simulating the American frontier was given to scene designer Narelle Sissons and rubor designer Mary Louise Geiger. Sissons created a beautifully naked plenty, backed by a grove of trees that was brought to life by Geigers gentle moonbeams, water reflections, and campfire light. not nearly as empty as Samuel Becketts Waiting for Godot however, both sets allow the imagination to improvise and individually interpre t the play. Sissons and Geiger created an appropriately classy set and lighting scene that added to the plays performance. Costume Designer, Marianne Custer, continued with the idea of simplicity while selecting the worn frontier clothing. Annie became the notable standout however, with her tight fitting buckskins. The costume only added to the character, a frontier feminist, Annie could compete with the bravest of males, but was still very feminine and had the beauty only a woman could. Sound Designer, M. Anthony Reimer, provided the audience with a subtle, yet effective portrayal of backcountry sounds.