Trueheart Productions » larry

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Create!

larry — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:46:43 +0000

A world premiere is a special thing. You have the opportunity to experience something fresh; a new creation. Yet a new musical is only paper and score when it is created. The producer grasps the possibilities, a director casts a vision, actors craft characters, the choreographer adds captivating movement and energy, the conductor rehearses the singers and musicians, sets are designed, lighting and sound effects are engineered to create the atmosphere, and the stage manager keeps it all moving forward. It is great collaboration of artists to produce art that affects the soul. Yet without an audience it is little better than the script and score sitting silently on the shelf.

The beauty of time-based art is that it is a shared creation. The audience enters into the creative process with applause, laughter, tears, and even affected silence. They join and energize the artists to achieve a truly unique performance. When the artists are successful, the audience is affected and experiences the story themselves.

As the director of Estranged Identity it has been challenging to bring this show to the stage. So much work goes into the rehearsal and design process. As rehearsals progress, the vision takes shape. Even though the actors and musicians are achieving the vision laid out for them, the question remains: Will the audience be able to “connect” with this show? Having sat in the audience through each performance, I can unquestionably say that it does.

So don’t miss your chance to join in the creative process by experiencing Estrange Identity yourself.

Demon Makeup Session

larry — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:00:14 +0000

Learn how Estranged Identity’s actors get their demonic look.

Estranged Identity Opens!

larry — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:01:12 +0000

Estranged Identity Preview

larry — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 07:51:29 +0000

Looking Lethal

larry — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:38:18 +0000

A look at the custom stage knives used in Estranged Identity.

You Try Being a Demon!

larry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:58:02 +0000

contributed by Anna Dowell

It is not easy.

Demon- “comes from the Greek word, “daimon”, which means “intelligent.” According to some passages in the New Testament, Satan has a personal army of demons to asist him in attacking humans and accomplishing evil tasks. They roam the world looking for people to destroy. And devour.

In Estranged Identity, that is exactly what I, Anger, have to portray along with the other six of my fellow demons. We are a “cluster” of demons sent out to turn Mary away from everything and everyone she has ever known. To make her completely under our power.

Tonight we worked on our own individual characterizations of each demon. We discussed among ourselves what each demon would look like in our own eyes. For instance, when Revenge sets a goal in his mind, he will destroy anyone or anything that gets in the way of his path! On the other hand, Selfishness is completely absorbed in herself and what will benefit her. Personally, I think Anger is probably one of the easier characteristics to portray. We all experience anger quite often, whether being frustrated with customers/clients at work, or fighting with siblings at home. It is, sadly, one of our more frequent emotions.

But this isn’t just a, sudden burst of anger and then I forget why I am even angry, I am carrying on this characteristic through my whole life as a demon. Hating, yelling, and screaming at everyone and everything, and influencing those around me to imitate me. It’s interesting how each of the seven demons carry a little bit from each characteristic. Insanity has his angry moments, prideful /selfish thoughts, and revenge on his mind, etc.

So yes, it may seem somewhat easy, but we have to keep in mind that by our actions, facial expressions, and voice inflections, the audience should be able to easily distinguish between each demon. We are going to have a lot of fun with this; especially seeing that we can be as inhumane has possible. And I know you want to see me angry, so come watch Estranged Identity!

Trueheart Productions – The Vision

larry — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:07:17 +0000

Learning to Fight

larry — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:04:07 +0000

Contributed by Taylor Reavely

The worst part about learning how to stage fight is the learning. John Armour has made stage fighting a beautiful, interesting, exciting art form, and I am thrilled to be able to fight Grant Barclay in several of the scenes of Estranged Identity. The learning isn’t hard because fighting isn’t enjoyable. The learning isn’t hard because the choreography is impossible. The learning isn’t hard because the actors and trainers are boring. In fact, the opposite is true! Fighting is enjoyable; the choreography is very doable; and working with John and Grant has been phenomenal. The worst part is the learning. Let me explain.

The worst part about learning how to fall is the learning.

John Armour

There are several parts of the choreography where we get thrown to the ground. There are ways to make the fall painless and exaggerated, but those ways are not easy nor natural; thus, they must be practiced. I’m just going to be blunt, practicing falling is worse than just falling. I would rather fall one time, stand up with a bruise, and get on with the rehearsal. But, to be the best, the fall must be rehearsed, and that simply means that we must fall the wrong, painful way enough times to teach ourselves the right, painless way.

The worst part about learning how to fake punch someone in the gut is the learning. Simply put, actors don’t get things right the first time all the time. Grant has done well at not destroying me, but the first few hits were pretty hard, I’m not gonna lie. Now that things are coming together, the gut-punch isn’t hardly noticeable. But, like I said, learning it was the worst part.

I’d like to say the worst-part about sword-fighting is the learning, as well, but thankfully I can’t yet complain of anything more than a bump on the head.

New Video in Production

larry — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:22:03 +0000

We have an all new video about the experience of a Trueheart Productions world-premiere from the view point of the directors, cast, and audience. Coming soon!

Welcome to Our New Website!

larry — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

We are happy to announce our redesigned website. It has been a while coming and will continue to have new features added over the next week. Come back often to see what’s new at Trueheart Productions.