I hear America singing… I hear the varied carols… I hear… 

“I hear America singing…” The first words of the opening song to Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance’s first musical of the spring 2021 semester! These lyrics, from All the Livelong Day, are the premiere to the musical Working by Nina Faso and Stephen Schwartz and directed by faculty member Lisa Brescia. “Based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, Working paints a vivid portrait of the men and women that the world so often takes for granted. This classic has been updated for a modern age, featuring new songs by Tony Award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as favorites by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, and James Taylor. This new version is a musical exploration of 26 people from all walks of life. While most of the professions have been updated, the strength of the show is in the core truths that transcend specific professions; the key is how people’s relationships to their work ultimately reveal key aspects of their humanity, regardless of the trappings of the job itself. It allows the audience to get a rare glimpse of the actors and technicians, working to put on a show, and only enhances the realistic and relatable nature of the subject matter.”

 

Let’s take a look at some exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with some of the cast and crew of Working.

Continuing with its director, Lisa Brescia, we asked her what the directorial process been like for this production. She stated, “The process has been complicated for everyone involved, and I’m endlessly impressed with my colleagues and the students at their adaptability and generosity of spirit throughout the process. Obviously, we needed to observe all COVID-19 guidelines and protocols. Staging was affected by the need to create distance between the actors. The use of cameras to reach our audiences meant a deviation from the conventional staging practices in a theater with a proscenium stage. Our designers needed to find creative ways to support social-distancing and maximize impact through the cameras when creating the worlds of this play. Most of all, the process has been an enormous learning opportunity for everyone involved, and I suspect I can speak for the whole team when I say we feel grateful for this chance to make meaningful theater during a pandemic.”

Next up, we have Sheridan Mirador, a cast member with a multitude of exciting roles- Freddy, a delivery boy, Raj, a tech support, and Ralph, a salesman. “My characters are very different from another, and it’s been really interesting to make three, distinct characters. Freddy is a fun, energetic kid who enjoys exploring and the idea of coming up from a poor household and providing for his family. Raj is a kind, resilient man who, despite getting so much hostility and criticism due to his accents, still provides his voice to help people. Ralph is a salesman who has his life set for him; however, that doesn’t him from being a big dreamer.” When asked this experience as his first Mainstage here in the Department of Theatre and Dance, he shared, “This entire experience has been a dream come true. It has been such a fulfilling and fun process. I didn’t expect to see my name on that cast list, especially as a freshman. I was incredibly nervous to work on this show. I didn’t want to let anyone down. The quartet of women we have working on this production has made this process comfortable for us actors. Lisa Brescia (Director) is seriously one of the most attentive and thoughtful directors I have ever worked with. She knows what she wants, and she knows how to achieve it. Heather Luellen (Music Director) has been so patient, and she is seriously the funniest person I’ve ever met. Rachel Haselhorst (Assistant Director, Choreographer) is pulling out some amazing choreography all while doing her senior showcase and prepping for graduation. Savannah Heslep (Stage Manager) is so kind and tranquil and makes sure that we’re on top of everything with a smile. These four women inspire me and keep me motivated. With the support from this production team and my castmates, I feel so ready and pumped. There are no nerves now. My favorite part of the rehearsal process has been getting to know everyone. This cast is full of such warm-hearted and hardworking people. I look forward to seeing their faces every day. No matter how hard the day is and how tired I am, my castmates seem to always cheer me up and give me so much energy.”

We also spoke with the production’s Scenic Designer Riley Lathrom to learn more about this absolutely stunning set design. She described her design as “industrial,” “energetic,” and “open,” and stated she was inspired by art and city designs of visual artist Debra Hurd. Riley gave such considerable thought into her design to accommodate as many variables as possible. “One of the differences we all have come across as designers is thinking in terms of filming the production. Filming a theatrical production that is made for a live audience was a challenge, but I think we all succeeded. There was also the design consideration regarding COVID-19 in the number of people that can be on stage interacting. In my design, I wanted as many levels as possible in order to give the actors different playing spaces that seemed natural and helped with social distancing. My favorite part of my design is the scaffolding. It adds so much height to the design and really uplifts the stage picture. The scaffolding is also tied with the visqueen plastic we have layered behind it so that when it interacts with the projections designed by Michelle Harvey (Co-Projection Designer) and Angelina Adams (Co-Projection Designer), it is really stunning.”

 

To be able to see and experience such a heart-felt and beautifully done musical after the last year is going to be incredible and refreshing. Tickets are on sale now for this production opening this Friday, April 23 and running through Tuesday, April 27. Performances will be streamed starting at 7:30pm every day with additional 2:30pm streaming on the 24th and 25th. Purchase yours here: Working Tickets!

 

“[Audiences should see this show because] the designers have done a beautiful job, and of course, the actors and musicians. The 11 onstage actors (and 4 off-stage singers/understudies) have been giving everything they’ve got to this production since we started on February 1st. It’s been a long process, and I’m very excited for the viewers to finally see their performances.”