Here’s to Collaboration: Behind the Scenes of the Kickshaw Lab

PREVIEW THEATER & DANCE

Here's to You cast

Ensemble members Mona Burns, Natalie Sevick, and Aral Gribble rehearse the opening scene in Here’s to You, Here’s to Me. Photo credit: Sean Carter Photography

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal of Kickshaw Theatre’s new devised work: Here’s to You, Here’s to Me. I work with the organization, but I’ve never been in a rehearsal room where “devising” is happening. It was awesome.

After a group warm-up, the actors took the stage and performed the material they have developed so far. The story is still being shaped (and may change between now and the performance), but it’s loosely framed as a party of friends, celebrating and exploring the ritual of toasting. The show includes original songs and dialogue that the cast has collectively written in rehearsal. One song, a toast to a cast member’s mom, was re-worked during rehearsal. The ensemble re-ordered verses, changed lyrics, and improvised musical riffs and harmonies. In the end, the song came out sounding like a 1980s rock anthem!

Each cast member brings unique talents and perspectives to the group. Mona Burns is a master storyteller, Dan Bilich is a master musician, Natalie Sevick is a fabulous singer and actor, and Aral Gribble is an all around experienced performer and improviser. Each has contributed stories, dialogue, songs, and ideas for the show.

Lynn Lammers, the director, focuses on the structure of the show, finding a way to pull the pieces together into a thematic, cohesive 30-minute performance.

The story, according to Lynn, is about the hubbub of life. People have different experiences and ideologies. Most of us have people we love dearly, with whom we disagree. The show is a bombastic, celebratory, and joyous show about the messiness of life.

After running through existing material, it was time to forge ahead into the unknown. Watching the cast work was fascinating. In some ways, it reminded me of watching children play: roles are decided, ground rules are laid, and the rest is worked out through imaginative play. For example, to craft a new scene, the cast would agree on the general framework (time period, basic plot points), and then each actor would jump in with ideas.

Next, they would improvise the scene, with Dan jamming along on guitar, composing a musical score as the scene unfolded. Sometimes there was conflict and disagreement, sometimes a suggestion would be dismissed outright. It looked a little chaotic from the outside, but a story emerged! What started as one idea, developed into something much bigger and more artful than any one person alone could have created. It was the most collaborative form of theater I’ve witnessed. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.


Heidi Bennett is the Connectivity Director at the Kickshaw Theatre.


Here's To You, Here's To Me runs Thursdays - Sundays, March 16 - April 2 at the Heidelberg Club Above, Arbor Brewing Company Brewpub, and Agave Tequila Bar. Tickets are $10, showtimes and locations vary. More information is at www.kickshawtheatre.org. This production is sponsored through a grant from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and the Heidelberg Restaurant.