Cast Member Blog - Daniel Johnston

Two posts in one day? I know, that's cray-cray...err crazy. Sorry, I got a little excited. Anyway we have so many things coming up, we didn't want to hold on to anything, so you're getting a Super Friday Twofer. In today's second (but not in our hearts) blog, Daniel tells us all about the recent designer run, rehearsals, and having our designers as our first audience. Plus, he uses the word "hitherto". Because he's a baller.

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Hello, my name is Daniel Johnston and I play Joseph Pitt in the Student Arts Collective’s production of Angels in America. Last Saturday was our designer run. For those of you who don’t know what that is, a designer run is when the folks who will be designing the show (i.e. Props Designer, Costume Designer, Set Designer, etc.) come and watch a full run through of the play to get a better idea of the show; having seen the run through, the designers can then begin to bring their visions to life.

It was also incredibly helpful for the actors because it was their first full run of the show. Hitherto, rehearsals have been scene specific so that, as actors, we could really dig in and find the true meaning of each scene. I, personally, was having some difficulty beginning a scene that is an immediate follow up to something tragic or joyous that had just occurred. However, upon having a full run through and going from scene to scene, the emotions were able to build throughout the entire piece and I feel confident now that I will no longer have these difficulties.

But enough about me . . . this designer run was made all the more empowering by the support of our designers in the audience, and my fellow actors. Everyone’s energy was so high, and everyone had such great expectations. There was no “phoning in,” as some may say. Everyone gave their all, whether they were on stage or supporting from the audience.

I truly can not wait to run through this show again, and I especially can not wait to see what beautiful things our designers have in mind for us. Whatever these visisions are, I know they will be powerful and moving, just like Angels in America.