Put on a Happy Face: Let's Face It

Well, I haven't posted on a blog since I think middle school when those "weebly.com" pages were popular, so let's see how this thing goes.

Hi, I guess, to anyone reading this (I hope someone is). My name is Samantha and I will be directing the One Act "Put on a Happy Face" written by OSU student, Cole (who has already written his post, and you should definitely read it).

I am so excited to be directing my first full production this year. I had the opportunity to direct a One Act last spring after taking Liz's Into to Directing last Winter, but the idea was far too daunting at the time. Now, however, I feel much more confident in my abilities to conquer something like this.

This year, the way plays were picked was by reading all the plays submitted anonymously and picking our top favorites. Cole's play was my absolute favorite when I was reading through them all (no offense to any other playwrights, all of them were amazing, be very proud!), so I was very happy when I found out that I would actually be directing it!

Right now, we're at the stage of finalizing the the scripts and going into auditions. Cole and I have been talking about our ideas and concepts for the show together, and I am so excited.

Together, the two of us have a lot of idea about the show, where it can go, what characters should be like, and how to set the stage. I think being able to actually work side-by-side with the actual playwright is also going to be very helpful since I will be able to get a second opinion on things or be able to clarify moments that I may have found confusing instead of guessing the playwright's intentions.

I am also extremely excited about auditions. I've never been on this side of the auditioning table before so it'll be interesting going into an audition with a different frame of mind than I would as an actor.  I definitely have certain things in mind for certain characters and am super excited to see what people do bringing these said characters alive.

I think going into auditions as an actor in the past, I've gone in with my own idea of who characters are and how I think they may be played. I was, and still am, always one to worry about what everyone else is doing and try to be the best of whatever character I was auditioning for.

Going into this as a director, it feel like there is less pressure initially. In this, I'm just looking for the people that I think will fit the roles the way Cole and I are imagining them, people who are giving it their best and maybe show us something we hadn't thought about before. Seeing where people who haven't been working with this script for the past couple of months take and view these character is going to be really interesting and special.

So, here's to exciting new beginnings and working with an amazing group of people along the way! I can't wait to cast this thing!

-Samantha