The Lunatic May Be in My Head, But She Lives on The Dark Side of the Moon.

Have you ever traveled to the dark side of the moon?  Luckily, my wonderful colleague Roberto Pomo and I did just that, along with over two dozen students and a fabulous design team as we brought the stage play Darkside to life.  What an amazing journey we have had producing this wonderful radio play by Sir Tom Stoppard as a theater, dance, and media extravaganza set to the historic album "The Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd.  This was the first time that the radio play has been produced in a full stage production and we had a blast inventing concepts and themes for the audience to view and explore.  We practically sold out every night, and had wonderful support from our entire department and community.  I feel truly blessed. Like any of my theater and dance adventures, I learn so much more during the process than I ever dream possible.

I learned that it takes a great deal of hard work, dedication and risk to form something out of nothing.  When no one else had staged something before you, the sky is the limit on what you can dream up, but it takes a lot of collaboration and compromise to actually make things work.

From the beginning, our set designer Ron Reisner had the vision of what the space would look like.  Us dancers struggled with it at first (yes, we complained a time or two) but by the end the creatures/dancers where climbing, jumping, and throwing themselves all around, up, and under every crevice of the moon.

Here is the fabulous costume designer Audrey Walker with several of her fabulous creations.  Her work was an inspiration to us all and the highlight of the show.

(Hope, Audrey, Josh, and Ty)

I learned that the fabulous things that you think up in your head sometimes mean blood, sweat, and tears for someone else.  I absolutely understand the risk I ask actors and dancers to take on stage and within the process.  It weighs on my mind heavily at times and has caused me many a sleepless night. I feel so blessed and appreciative that they are willing to partake in my madness.

Here is the fabulously talented Sean who was willing to don a space suit, change into a lizard, and climb into the great unknown of outer space both figuratively and literally.

(Sean climbing the rope, picture credit to Kristyn Conn)

I feel so blessed to have worked with such dedicated, talented, and genuinely good people on this project.  But truthfully, the moments where we cut loose and just had fun are seared most permanently on my heart and soul.  Oh the many times they made me laugh...what a ride...

The actors and dancers are always responsible for bringing the story to life.  Long hours of rehearsal can get a little punchy at times... but bring so much inspiration as well.  Here are dancers stepping in for the "Magic Mike Moment."  Made me blush every time I saw this number performed.  

(Ty, Matthew, and Hope)

Finally, I learned that my madness, anxiety, and doubt will always rear its ugly head within the process.  But having people around me who are patient, who don't judge me too harshly, and allow me to just be ME, unconditionally, are truly angels on earth.  And they have reminded me to look at the stars in the sky with wonderment...as they whisper softly, "it is okay to live on the dark side of the moon."

(Angel and Jessica, gazing at the stars. Sean and Josh dancing on the moon.)