Wednesday, January 16, 2008

BACKSTAGE AT SIGNATURE

Originally Posted Thursday, April 4, 2007

On March 29th, we held our first "Backstage at Signature" event. The evening was a great success and was rounded off beautifully with a selection of delicious wine and cheeses for everyone who attended.

We had an informative question and answer session with King Hedley II set designer David Gallo before the evening's performance. David is a Tony Award winning designer and also designed the set for the Broadway production of King Hedley II where he worked in collaboration with the late August Wilson.

One audience member who grew up in Pittsburgh was impressed with how accurate our set was. David revealed to the audience that the house on Signature's set was based on an actual photograph from Pittsburgh's Hill District where August grew up. The night was full of fascinating insights into the process of design and production and David confessed that it was a childhood attraction to the fantastical world of "Star Wars" that got him interested in set designing.

Afterwards I spoke to an audience member Dina, who attended the event. Dina said she left with a heightened interest in Wilson's work and in Signature Theatre Company because she gained "so much insight in to both your production and the playwright." Thanks to everyone who attended and made it such a fun evening, and a special thanks to David for all his great August Wilson stories!

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