The Birds
By Yvette Nolan
We staged our production of The Birds in the Shenandoah Mountains, right in the area that JMU sits. We did a research visit to Shenandoah National Park, and I was really taken by the quality of light. So cool and uniform.
In this production I tried to really pull from nature. This high mountain feel, the sense there is nothing between you and the light, that it feels cold and sharp and clean were all things I was trying to invoke.
Within the world of the play, there are several songs, tales of history. These let me break from the more strictly realistic, nature inspired world I was working in for the other parts of the play, and into an almost dream world.
The Birds by Yvette Nolan
School of Theatre and Dance
James Madison University
Directed by Reneltta Arluk
Scenic Design and Technical Direction by Lindsey Kelley
Costume Design by Elizabeth Wislar
Lighting Design by Alex Tuszynski
Sound Design by Daniel Gilmore
Properties Design by Meg Hogan
Original Music by Toby Twining
Dramaturg: Mona Mehta
Choreographer: Darla Stanley
Stage Manager: Emily Doppée
ASM: Julia Finkler, Sydney Pecore, Riley Burns
Asst. Scenic Designer: Ryan Michalowicz
Assistant Costume Designer: Hannah Jonkers
April 9-14, 2024
Studio Theatre
Cast
Jack:Owen Buckenmaier
Gulliver: Adam Hill
Hoopoe: Evan Campbell
Sandpiper: Ella Walters
Raven: Sydney Miller
Nightingale: Marija Grove
Hummingbird: Ainsley McNatt
Eagle/Bat/Crow Puppeteer: Emma Noël Saville
Owl/Priest: Ezra Smith
Red Pheasant/Poet/Red-tailed Hawk Puppeteer:Emily Nuckols
Oystercatcher/Agent: Benjamin Philippart
Owl/Lawyer: Haiku Burgiel
Duck/Surveyor: Dioma Ogwara
Duck/Surveyor: Savannah Angle
Production Staff
Production Manager: Brian Smallwood
Lighting Design Advisor: Emily Becher-McKeever
Sound Design Advisor: Simon Marland
Costume Shop Manager: Kathleen Conery
Lighting Supervisor: Catherine Holcomb
Sound Supervisor: Simon Marland
Electric Shop Supervisor: Catherine Holcomb
Scene Shop Supervisor: James Eaton
Assistant Costume Shop Manager: Jenny McNee
Head Electrician: Carrigan Young
Charge Artist: Kara Handy