Posts Tagged ‘photo blogs’

Twitchin’ Here in Backstage – The Magic Behind the Scenes

By Jonathan O’Brien on April 19th, 2013

Musicals are typically big and bombastic productions. You have singing and dancing, bright lights and music, lots of props and make-up, you name it. This all requires a lot of work. Read that, A LOT of work. Even before the first audience member sets their foot in the theater, there has been a tumult of activity going on for several hours behind the scenes.

So what does all of this look like? Well, here’s a few pictures to give you an idea:

Putting on make-up backstage

Make-up is essential and is the first thing people do when they arrive at the theater. To help with that, we have our wonderful make-up crew.

 

Although by now most actors know how to do the basic stuff themselves.

 

A musical wouldn’t look or sound like much on stage if we didn’t have the good folks at lights & sounds helping us out.

 

Speaking of sounds, the piano is our key component in this production, and it needs the steady hands of a professional to guide it.

 

Not everything happens behind the scenes. We also need people up front to sell tickets and serve some delicious cake to the audience members as they come in!

 

Just before the show, our crew starts to panic a little...

 

...but luckily there’s still some time to chat before the show begins.

 

A little more lipstick and away we go!

 

Photos: Gustavo

Text: Jonathan O’Brien

Jonathan O’Brien is an avid thespian and a loose cannonball with little idea as to what happens next. His dream job is to be a voice actor for computer games so that he can get paid for shouting obscenities into a microphone all day.

Thespians Anonymous proudly present the comedic musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change on 12, 14, 15, 21 and 22 April 2013 at Gloria Kulttuuriarena in Helsinki. For more information see Thespians Anonymous website or the Facebook event of the show.

Circle of Love – A Fairytale

By Erna Bodström on March 28th, 2013

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now ChangeWhat is it all about?

Well, once upon a time…

A Stud and a Babe photo by Antti Vainio Thespians Anonymous 2013

...there was a man and a woman.

Men Who Talk and Women Who Pretend Theyre Listening photo by Antti Vainio Thespians Anonymous 2013

Or, to be precise, quite a few men and women.

 

The Lasagna Incident photo by Antti Vainio Thespians Anonymous 2013

There was infatuation...

Satisfaction Guaranteed photo by Antti Vainio Thespians Anonymous 2013

...not to mention passion.

 

Wedding Vows photo by Antti Vainio Thespians Anonymous 2013

There was a fairytale wedding...

The Family That Drives Together photo by Antti Vainio Thespians Anonymous 2013

...even if not everyone lived happily ever after.

Marriage Tango photo by Antti Vainio Thespians Anonymous 2013

But as in all fairy tales, some still did.

 

Whatever Happend to Baby's Parents photo by Antti Vainio Thespians Anonymous 2013

And of course, new men and women are born every day to repeat the circle of love.

All this and much more at the show!

Photos: Antti Vainio

Text: Erna Bodström

Erna Bodström is an incurable Thespian who loves musicals, chocolates and hugs. On any given day she is most likely to be found strolling the streets of Helsinki.

Thespians Anonymous proudly present the comedic musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change on 12, 14, 15, 21 and 22 April 2013 at Gloria Kulttuuriarena in Helsinki. For more information see Thespians Anonymous website or the Facebook event of the show.

It’s Showtime – FELT IF 2012!

By Alicja Kocańda on November 19th, 2012

What provides a rare treat for theatre lovers and a flexible opportunity for new audience members to dip their toes into the theatrical water? FELT IF 2012! With the fourth Festival of English Language Theatre in Finland just around the corner, let’s enjoy a sneak preview of what this year brings.

Sure Thing, FELT IF 2012 by Håkan Mitts, Thespians Anonymous 2012

Say all the right words *calmly* to lay out the tracks towards a happy ending…

Words, Words, Words, FELT IF 2012 by Håkan Mitts, Thespians Anonymous 2012

K.K.K.K.K.K.K.K.K.K.K.K.K.K.K… (?) and you’ll go dry. You’ll get blocked. You might even feel like you’re repeating yourself.

The Bench, FELT IF 2012 by Jukka Patynen, The Finn-Brit Players 2012

Make small talk instead.

Beer Girl, FELT IF 2012 by Håkan Mitts, Thespians Anonymous 2012

Demand answers.

Bear with Me, FELT IF 2012 by Håkan Mitts, Thespians Anonymous 2012

But don’t let your emotions fool you.

A Long Time Ago, FELT IF 2012 by Håkan Mitts, Thespians Anonymous 2012

Did I hear Fool?

Variations on the Death of Trotsky, FELT IF 2012 by Håkan Mitts, Thespians Anonymous 2012

Maybe the head gardener mispronounced and so requested, “Axe Mr Trotsky”?

Call of the Revolution, FELT IF 2012 by Håkan Mitts, Thespians Anonymous 2012

It's time.

NOT the Vagina Monologues, FELT IF 2012 by Esa Virtanen, Blood Love Rhetoric 2012

The world is a theatre. Enjoy.

See you at FELT IF 2012!

 

Photographs: Håkan Mitts, Jukka Pätynen and Esa Virtanen
Text: Alicja Kocańda
Layout: Erna Bodström

Alicja Kocańda loves making things happen and is passionate about working in the performing arts industry. With Thespians Anonymous (TA) she discovered her work&life balance – make sure you also do something significant outside of your day job. She is one of the Festival directors and its co-producer, making this her 10th production with TA.

Thespians Anonymous proudly present seven short plays at FELT IF, held 20-25 November at Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth. At FELT IF 2012, the fourth Festival of English Language Theatre in Finland, a total of nine short plays are staged by three companies: The Finn-Brit Players, Thespians Anonymous and Blood, Love & Rhetoric. For more information about the performances and plays, visit the FELT IF website.

The images are taken from the following plays, in order of appearance:
Sure Thing (from the collection All in the Timing, performed by Thespians Anonymous)
Words, Words, Words (from the collection All in the Timing, performed by Thespians Anonymous)
The Bench (performed by The Finn-Brit Players)
Beer Girl (performed by Thespians Anonymous)
Bear With Me (performed by Thespians Anonymous)
A Long Time Ago (performed by Thespians Anonymous)
Variations on the Death of Trotsky (from the collection All in the Timing, performed by Thespians Anonymous)
Call of the Revolution (performed by Thespians Anonymous)
NOT the Vagina Monologues (performed by Blood, Love & Rhetoric)

Our thanks to the TA photographer, Håkan Mitts!

Before Theatre Magic

By Erna Bodström on May 25th, 2012

Even after months of work, there are still some specifics that need to be gone through each night
before the show. This was the case in Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play as well.

Actor Ieva Čepaite by Inga Sapokliak, Thespians Anonymous 2012

In this play, make-up and hair were extraordinarily important...

Character Rosamunda Dewthistle by Inga Sapokliak, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...and took hours and hours to look as gorgeous as they did.

Hugging is cool by Nihan Tanışer, Thespians Anonymous 2012

But the optical illusion of make-up and costumes is not enough, also the mind...

Fooling around with the props by Inga Sapokliak, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...the spirit...

Warm-ups by Inga Sapokliak, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...and body of the cast & crew needs to be looked after - hence, the warm-ups.

Cool props from Chemical Imbalance by Nihan Tanışer, Thespians Anonymous 2012

Still all the props need to be set to their places...

Director Jonathan O'Brien giving last piece of advice by Nihan Tanışer, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...and just before the audience is let in, the director shares his last words of wisdom.

Chemical Imbalance on stage by Inga Sapokliak, Thespians Anonymous 2012

At last... It's time for some theatre magic!

 

Photographs: Inga Sapokliak and Nihan Tanışer
Text and layout : Erna Bodström

Erna Bodström is an incurable thespian and was a member of the cast & crew of Chemical Imbalance. She’s convinced that chocolate makes everything better and is on any given day most likely to be found strolling the streets of Helsinki.

Thespians Anonymous thank all those who came to see Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play. The magic wouldn’t have been possible without you!

Growling, Seducing and Cleaning

By Erna Bodström on May 9th, 2012

Thespians Anonymous decided to put some extra effort in the photographs of Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play. There we’re two agreeable photographs in two gloomy locations…

Jekyll and Xavier in laboratory by Tiia Tuominen, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...in the laboratory of Helsinki University Museum...

The Police Officers in Hietaniemi by Stuart D. McQuade, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...and in Hietaniemi cemetery.

Chemical Imbalance cast by Stuart D. McQuade, Thespians Anonymous 2012

After two hours of grooming, the whole cast was finally ready for their close-ups.

Innocent Lady by Stuart D. McQuade, Thespians Anonymous 2012

There was some eminence...

The twins by D. Stuart McQuade, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...some mood changing...

Xavier and Hyde by Tiia Tuominen, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...some intimidation....

Ladies of high society by Stuart D. McQuade, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...some seducing...

The sassy servants by Stuart D. McQuade, Thespians Anonymous 2012

...and some cleaning, but only on behalf of the characters.

For the rest, you’ll have to come and see the show!

 

Text and layout : Erna Bodström
Photographs: Stuart D. McQuade and Tiia Tuominen

Erna Bodström is an incurable thespian, who plays the good and evil twins in Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play. She’s convinced that chocolate makes everything better and is on any given day most likely to be found strolling the streets of Helsinki.

Thespians Anonymous proudly present Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play on 15, 16, 17 and 18 May 2012 in Helsinki. For more information see Thespians Anonymous website or Chemical Imbalance Facebook event.

Our thanks to Helsinki University Museum!