http://chicagoist.com/2009/03/27/its_a_bird_its_a_plane_its_a_shakes.php So says the Chicagoist article about an upcoming production of The Tempest at the Steppenwolf. “Safe is not exactly what I do," said Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, co-artistic director of the Actors Gym and aerial coach for The Tempest. I wonder if my pal David Blixt, the Master of Verona, is still out there, because he’s a) based in Chicago but also b) outspoken on the need to keep actors safe onstage.
Still lurking about.
I don’t know Sylvia personally, but I know of her. And I don’t take the statement about being safe as her putting her actors at risk. It’s about making the audience gasp. You’ll not the last line of the article talks about actor safety.
Combat, acrobatics, and the like are all about looking incredibly dangerous while being incredibly safe. You don’t work long as a choreographer if the actors in your care start getting injured, and you don’t work long as an actor if you can’t be safe. I have many horror stories, mostly from shows I was not a part of, thank God.
But for this production, I’m not concerned. It’s Steppenwolf, so I imagine it’ll be a helluva show, and I have no fear at all about the safety issue. The producers brought in someone who knows what she’s doing. When producers DON’T do that, THAT’s when people get hurt.
David! Glad you’re still with us. Hope the family is doing well.
I didn’t really read the article as being careless, either. I just saw Chicago and safety and you sprang to mind :). Tell us about “The Steppenwolf”, I really have no idea what that means.
The Steppenwolf is a nationally recognized theatre in Chicago that was started by, among others, Gary Sinise and John Malkovich!
http://www.steppenwolf.org/ensemble/history/
While searching youtube I came across brief feature about rehearsing the show. I wish I could see it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAMuS_p5UPE