Blog Post – Ryan Mooney

Well, we are just over three weeks from opening… things are clipping along really well and I am truly loving this cast. I can honestly say I’ve never worked with such a universally strong, enthusiastic cast in my life – as an actor, as a director or as crew. This has been – and continues to be such a special and unique experience. I know we all know that. You can see it in people’s faces, hear it in their voices and experience it in their performances.

Today we had some cleaning to do from our Act I run through last week. There are two big numbers that needed to be cleaned, and one that needed to be worked out. I’m a pretty organic director – I like to see what the cast can bring to a table as opposed to coming in with strict blocking. Some people might call me a lazy director. I’m okay with that.

One number in particular – the opening number – I’ve never been happy with. I never liked it what I had done while we were staging it originally – it appalled me in our run through last week and when I asked the cast to run it tonight I hated it. Now – this is no fault of the casts. I had no idea what I wanted at first – I just knew it had to explode. I watched the documentary of Jon Larsen’s life (and the life of Rent) that’s on the movie dvd today, and they talk about Rent and the talk about how Jonathan wanted the audience to be blown out of their seats. I realised that’s what I wanted – I realised it’s not what I had.

So, with some re-tooling, some focusing and some cleaning – I think we’re a lot closer – and the cast seemed to agree. It’s humbling to be able to look at something you created, and realise it’s just crap and needs a re-do. And it’s part of the reason I am glad that I don’t spend hours working through in my head how something’s going to look. I just love creating with a room full of energetic and enthusiastic individuals. Directing is not about process for me – it never has been. I don’t have a “vision” – I don’t have books and books of research. I have my eyes, my ears and my heart – they haven’t failed me yet in this business.

Blog Post – Kat Gillis

When I first saw Rent it was when the touring show came to Vancouver in 2004 (2005?). I fell in LOVE with the show as soon as the first song “Rent” started to play. I knew that day that Rent was a show that I wanted to be a part of in any way shape or form. When I saw the Facebook notice that Rent was holding auditions in Vancouver, I couldn’t believe that fate was giving me an amazing opportunity to finally make one of my dreams come true!! I emailed Ryan right away, whom I haven’t met yet, and asked if I could help with the music side of things, I was then contacted by Sarah Jaysmith, the musical director… we had a great talk about music, then I was “auditioned”. I didn’t realize how nervous I was. I wanted to be part of this so badly! But sure enough, I was asked to help Sarah out with the music. I remember coming home with the piano-conductor score of Rent and I was so happy! Being Assistant Musical Director of this show (or as Sarah likes to call me – her Musical Elf) has definitely sharpened my skills! It is a very challenging score. But such a beautiful score! What I’m so thankful for is that I have been blessed with an amazingly talented cast who make this job an inspiring one. I remember coming into the first sing-through of the show, and I was floored by how powerful these voices were. Then yesterday we worked on one of the most heartbreaking songs in the show, and I cried accompanying them at the piano… It was so beautiful, and for those of you who already bought their ticket, you won’t regret it! Everyone is so nice, funny, hard working (not to mention patient with me as I try to sight read a score that has about 5 time and key signature changes in one page!). I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. The cast and crew are very supportive. 
Thank you Ryan and Sarah for giving me this chance to realize one of my dreams!! I’m so happy to be part of the team!!