Google: A black box theater (or experimental theater) consists of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor. It is a relatively recent innovation in theatre.[1]
Director’s Note
From an artist’s perspective, few things hold as much promise and opportunity as a fresh lump of moist clay, a fine block of pure marble, a new page, an empty stage, or a blank canvas. As human beings, we all begin as blank canvases waiting to be painted through our interactions with each other.
As we enjoy or endure the brush strokes of life, we inevitably carry layers of paint with us, colored by our experiences to become living, walking works of art.
Not unlike the artist painter, actors spend their lives trying to replicate upon the stage those strokes of paint and streaks of color that have come to represent human emotions and experiences.
We choose brushes and pigments from our own perceptions and observations to bring life to characters off of a page in a vibrant human way that paints a picture through our story telling.
No single author has ever been more masterful providing us a story to tell by painting vivid pictures through the power of words than the Bard known as Shakespeare. His command of our language, and ability to structure lines on the page have provided a kind of paint-by-number floor plan for actors to follow for more than four hundred years. He understood the power of words and their ability to create indelible images upon the mind.
Richard III, Archway Theatre, Los Angeles, June 2012
He also understood that humans are products of the interactions we have with each other, and that those interactions are also capable of imprinting indelible images upon us.
Our production of the Bard’s telling of the story of the classic anti-hero of English history explores the concepts of human as canvas, and our interactions as indelible marks upon us. It explores the color of language and the symbolism of verbal strokes as lasting imprints upon psyche and the soul.
Our production also explores theatre as living art, and art as moving theatre, while emphasizing the actor as artist, and the artist within us all when it comes to painting our pictures on our fellow human beings.
Are you proud of the art you have created thus far? Who have you painted recently?
What colors did you choose?
What indelible marks did you leave upon another human soul today? ~ Steven Sabel
Steven Sabel, Director of Richard III and owner of Archway Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Founding Artistic Director, Redlands Shakespeare Festival
Mother’s Note
Steven…
You, along with many others…
have painted upon the soul of Son #2 in mighty ways…
while he, in turn, has experienced an even broader ability…
to place lasting imprints upon the souls of others.
The past several months have been extraordinary.
Thank you.
That is SOOO incredibly COOL!!! I LOVE that concept!!! Wish I could have seen Son #2 in both productions!!!
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Teri Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
So glad that you could, at the very lest, participate and experience both a written an visual journey! XO, ;0)
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Teri, what a beautiful tribute you’ve given, not only Steven but the entire cast here on your blog. Thank you for taking such breathtaking pictures & posting them for all of us to enjoy:) It has been a joy & blessing working with your son:)
“Queen Elizabeth”
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Teri Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
How kind of you to comment! It is both my privilege and pleasure; as you all did a phenomenal job! XO, ;0)
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This was great and we can’t wait to see what he does next!
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Teri Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Mrs. Klemens,
Without you and the other Klemmies repeatedly playing the part of Tom Bodet, none of this would’ve been possible! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! XO, ;0)
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Congratulations to Preston! What a great opportunity and accomplishment!
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Teri Reply:
June 26th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Thank you for attending and supporting, not once, but twice, Ms. Hernandez! XO, ;0)
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