RENT: First Rehearsal

With just 19 days until the opening of New Rep's 2011-2012 Season, the cast, directors and crew of RENT gathered with New Rep staff and supporters in the rehearsal hall at the Arsenal Center for the Arts this morning to discuss the artistic, visual and physical intentions of the show.

director Ben Evett addresses the large crowd

 Director Ben Evett began the Meet and Greet with his thoughts on RENT and the message he wishes to share with his audience. Evett stressed that while he plans to keep the time period true to the original performance, he also aims to go beyond the topic of AIDS by encompassing human fragility as a whole.

director Ben Evett

A husband and wife team, Evett will be working closely with choreographer Kelli Edwards, who recently received the 2010 IRNE Award for Best Choreography, Small Theater, for New Rep's Hot Mikado.

John R. Malinowski, lighting design

Several of the designers spoke about their own ideas on lighting, props, set design and costuming. Costuming received the largest commotion from cast and viewers, as Frances Nelson McSherry flipped through pages of collaged 90's styles. McSherry pointed out that many of the performers in the Ensemble perform multiple roles. She then emphasized her plan to add and subtract costuming elements during these quick changes, while avoiding a full erasure of any character's identity. (View some of the collages here.)

Props, contributed by properties designer Joe Stallone.

Kathryn Kawecki, scenic design

The beautifully meticulous and visually dynamic set design model by Kawecki.

Frances Nelson McSherry, costume design

Cast, staff, and New Rep supporters laugh and applaud the designers as they speak.

With the Meet and Greet concluded, everyone takes five. All are excited to begin rehearsing, and those watching offer support, while enjoying a behind-the-scenes look at the process of producing the kickoff to New Rep's 2011-12 Season. More to come in the next few weeks, and don't forget that you, too, can see the show. For more info, visit our website.

Nick Sulfaro, Angel, begins studying the libretto.

Todd C. Gordon, musical director, plays a few chords in preparation for the afternoon ahead.