Check out some photos from the after party on Opening Night of Yellow Moon!  Director Adam Mitchell and the HotBed Ensemble stayed to hang out with patrons and enjoy the food and drinks!

Black Swan’s Education Manager, Alena, sat down with Hugo Aguilar Lopez, the HotBed Ensemble Stage Manager, and Tess Reuvers, the Lighting Designer, and asked for a few details on life after WAAPA, work and joining the HotBed Ensemble.

The HotBed Ensemble began rehearsals for The Shape of Things last week here at Black Swan, before moving to PICA this week.

Actors Austin, Adriane, Melanie and Tim spent the week going over their lines, receiving stage direction and exploring the chemistries between the characters.  The creative team was hard at work as well, as they discussed lighting configurations, set designs, props and production schedules.

The Shape of Things is set in the States so the actors are working on their American accents! Being from America myself, every time I walked into the rehearsal room they continually asked me to speak so they could hear the genuine accent. I was happy to help, but it’s a little awkward to have people stare at your mouth as you speak and repeat everything you say!

Click here to see some photos from the first week of rehearsals for The Shape of Things! Keep watching this blog for more news and photos!

I asked some of our new members of the HotBed Ensemble a few questions, so that you can get to know them better.  Read on for a quick glimpse into the hearts and minds of HotBed Ensemble actors, the set and costume designer and stage manager!

How do you relax?

Hugo Aguilar Lopez (Stage Manager): I sit down and read a good book, Anne Rice or Garth Nix; sometimes listen to some music, mainly musicals, something upbeat or funny to get into a good mood.

What motivates you?

Austin Castiglione (Actor): Every time I take on a new role several opportunities arise, which all serve to motivate me. First is the new text and my new character. The potential for that text and character is at its greatest right at the start and the amount of detail which may be pursued is infinite: This is incredibly exciting and motivating, as I always strive for the perfection of a role, a task which can always be taken further and improved upon and never achieved. That is what is so rich about acting – there is no right or wrong answer, no absolutes, or even an end point which can be reached. Of course the production must have a performance and therefore the actor’s journey is cut short and final choices must be made but there will always be things to improve.