Unify the Stage

I just completed reading Margaret Webster: A Life in the Theater by Milly S. Barranger , I purchased it, along with Webster's own books Shakespeare without Tears  and her autobiography:  Don't Put your Daughter on the Stage after hearing about Webster's influential work as a woman director. I haven't read the other two yet, I thought I'd get a background before delving into Webster's own words, and I wasn't disappointed. The book is compelling, readable, and by the end I felt like I had such a picture of Webster's complex and beautiful life. As Barranger says on the final page, "The director's legacy, like the theater, is often dismissed sa ephemeral--as intangible form. Margaret Webster's legacy is lodged in the accomplishment of a pioneering artist, defying time in the work of those artists, especially women, who follow knowingly or otherwise in her footprints." I discovered in this book a connection which made me feel both an und...

An amazing woman, director, founder of regional theatre, passed away at 91. Here is a bit about her, read and be inspired: New York Times NPR Washington Post

DOCS... VANYA ON 42ND STREET-- Amazing actors working on Uncle Vanya in a run down theater in New York. If you haven't seen it, do not pass go...get it now. BROOK BY BROOK-- This documentary is about Peter Brook, created by his son. It comes in a double dvd set with Peter Brook's HAMLET, which is also amazing to watch.  ARIANE MNOUCHKINE - THE LOVE OF THEATRE -- A great documentary about Ariane Mnouchkine and the founding of Theatre du Soliel. You can watch it here , and be sure to turn on the English subtitles. BECOMING TRAVIATA --an amazing documentary focusing on the rehearsal work of stage director Jean-François Sivadier with soprano Natalie Dessay on a beautiful production of La Traviata. Yes, it's opera, and yes, you should watch it. It's a master class in good opera stage direction. WAGNER'S DREAM-- An exciting documentary about Robert Lepage and his recent production of THE RING CYCLE at the Met. Dreaming big. FICTION... ALL ABOUT EVE-- Funny, ...

On today's blog, I'm excited to post that Katie Mitchell is also a total directing history nerd...and to prove it, she created this exhibit at the V&A. And it was two years ago, but it's new to me: she makes 5 videos of Ophelia in the style of great directors: Artaud, Brook, Brecht, Grotowski, & Stanislavski. It's just like my directing history class, only maybe cooler.