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IU Theater And Drama Presents 'The Clean House'

Indiana University's Department of Theatre and Drama continues its 2009-2010 season with MacArthur Fellowship winner Sarah Ruhl's Pulitzer Prize nominated play The Clean House.

It's a play that the show's director, IU's chair and producer of the Department of Theatre and Drama Jonathan Michaelsen has called "a funny, very touching play with amazing language."

Especially as the guest is Department Chair and Producer, WFIU's George Walker asked general questions. "Jonathan, you have a broad overview of IU's productions and that's what I'd like to ask you about today. Scenic, costume, lighting and sound design."

"Which comes first? Is there an order and is it always the same?"

"Well, first we have to choose the play," Jonathan quipped. "But to answer your question, there is an order, but it's usually a little different for each production. It's very much a collaborative process. We gather and meet and outline general considerations and themes. For instance for The Clean House we decided early on that we would use a very limited color palate and this effects both the set and costume design. Then of course we meet and meet again as each of us brings back ideas. Later there are also reports on developments."

"Now, there are some items that do have an order to them. For some of the staging we may need actual costumes or at least mock ups to see how certain moves will work. And the actual building and setting into place of the set has to be done in a well lighted area. By the way, the set for The Clean House is quite something. There's a twelve foot balcony. But, the lighting director has to have darkness to work with focusing and directing. So, they have to pretty much take turns at some points in the process."

"So, you see an order does develop, but it's very much an organic creative process that comes out a little bit differently for each show."

The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl

Wells Metz Theatre

Fri/Sat Oct 23/24 and Tue-Sat Oct 27-31, 2009

From 10/13, for Mon 10/19

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