Bex Ehrmann
Theatre Artist
Alchemy of Desire/Dead-Man's Blues
A community of women feels the devastating and powerful effects of a distant war, none more so than Simone, widowed after only one month of marriage. But a more mysterious force pervades this mystical swampland: desire. How can Simone grieve Jamie, when she feels him in her skin like tinder?
Photos by Zack Laurence Photography
Spectrum Theatre Company presents:
Alchemy of Desire/Dead-Man's Blues by Caridad Svich
with additional music devised by the ensemble
directed by Bex Ehrmann
October 22-26, 2016
Shanley Pavilion
Northwestern University
Cast:
Caroline.....Juliet Roll
Jamie.....Harry Wood
Miranda.....Kaja Burke-Williams
Selah.....Chamaya Moody
Simone.....Tatiana Dalton
Tirasol.....Vivian Prieto
Production Team:
Producer.....Bailey LePage
Stage Manager.....Annie Brennan
Costume Designer.....Sophia Sinsheimer
Lighting Designer.....Nathan Selinger
Props Designer.....Chris Porter
Set Designer.....Max Spitz
Sound Designer.....Mimi Reininga
I wanted the world of Alchemy of Desire/Dead-Man's Blues to overflow with spirituality and music, for music to be a character in the play. To accomplish this goal, I led the ensemble in devising short transitional music to bridge the emotional distance between scenes. I gave the actors prompts (usually phrases or images from the show) to inspire soundscapes, which I recorded on my phone.
Between rehearsals, I revisited these recordings, selecting sections that had potential. First, I asked the actors to recreate these sections, then to build on them, offering direction as we worked. Though I am not a practiced musician, I drew on my background in devised theatre to curate this performance text.