March 2019 served as a rebirth for theater in a few ways. It was time to recreate telling stories on stage for the safety of others. A catalyst was born out of the pandemic. An evolution of thought.
Paul Notice directs a filmed adaptation of Mirrors. In the black space. The negative space left within the dark gives the space its name. It's a double entendre that pays ode to Black artists, as well.
It directs your attention “only to the characters,” a paraphrasing of Paul's words.
It does much more than this, though. And any work that comes afterwards, is posing similar questions like 'What now in theater?'
What can happen now is dependent on our imagination and resources.
Advantages of Filming
There is something very groundbreaking within this medium. Something informs our future, here. When theater is a challenge to make, what else can we do?
We make it anyway, with the resources available to us. We trend the plague by creating different ways to consume stories. Parity is certainly not the only one to make this work. There is an importance to be self aware of in what ways the future can shift within our dealings of the present.
And what are we creating in that process? Is it a recreation of a moment?
That is for the artistic direction to execute. A choice of style for the production. An imperative choice to make. It will deeply depend on the artistic goals of the exact production.
Disadvantages of Film Making
Gaining access to the equipment can be expensive. Just as tickets to a show can be extremely expensive. There is a creative perspective that many artists can find with reasonable camera prices.
It's something to consider, though. The disparity can be found within the doors of creating theater, along with outside of it. Money will always be an essential part to making media.
I don't underestimate the novelty that theater makers will find... in whatever material they have.
There are many elements to consider. Listed below are a few:
Sound/Editing
Video/Director of Photography
Video Editing
Music
Mics on set
Lighting
Of course this should not limit you, there are ways to get creative on a budget. And perhaps access to resources, you did not know you had. Storytelling is not as stiff as a medium, as many might like to present.
New Theatrical Experiences
Do theatre companies need to make you feel as if you are actually within a theatre? Are you creating a moment unlike any moment?
This is potentially the evolution of theater, that should at least affect us all to some degree. Those who love it. Unconditionally, regardless of form. These are the types of works that we should encourage, and is part of accepting our new reality.
There should be more access to these types of productions.
Mirrors creates moments unlike other moments. You shouldn’t go into expecting Hamilton the Musical, but instead something that feeds the novice void within art. It's a style of its own. You should go into Mirrors expecting something that feels familiar. But you won't remember it. The perspective is new, or in some ways an old stranger. Reacquainting itself.
By the way, are you in New York City? Click here for ticket information to the Mirrors physical premiere for November 10th, 2021.