A.D. Drumm Images, LLC – Landscape, Portrait, and Fine Art Photography in Rochester MN Photography

I am in the middle of a couple busy weeks especially with theatre shoots. Here are a few images from Plainview Community Theater’s production of The Wizard of Oz, the first of three shows I’m shooting over this period. I also just did some promo shots for an upcoming event – I’m collaborating with the wonderful designer and costumer, Marann Faget, of Creative Costumes and Clothing to photograph folks who’d like to dress up for their Christmas and holiday cards making their cards really stand out. It’s going to be a hoot, and I’ll be posting lots more details here – soon – as we get the them sorted out.

Plainview Community Theater puts on one musical a year. This is the second year in a row they’ve asked me to photograph their show. They seem to really involve their small town in their productions. About a month or two ago, I attended a fundraiser luncheon that had terrific attendance – in the middle of the day on a work day – at least while I was there. The local support was great. Theatre provides an important outlet for many people with support and fellowship, and it draws folks from all walks of life.

Wizard has a huge cast with many children playing the roles of Munchkins and flying monkeys. Big musicals like this take a good deal of work and time to put together. I didn’t include a shot that shows the entire “yellow brick road” here, but it’s big. The orchestra sits below it, and it forms a bridge with symmetric ramps leading up from the stage. This little theatre group is using the Jon Hassler Theater space, so they must construct and assemble their sets rather quickly.

The show is based on the Judy Garland classic movie. Most of the musical numbers are familiar if you’ve seen the film. Some are extended a bit and the jitterbug piece which was cut from the movie is included.

It’s interesting working in different venues with different layouts. Here, the stage is below all the seats. It’s at floor level, and the seats rise up from there. I do have the ability to move left and right quite a ways to get the angles I want. For larger groups, I end up shooting more or less downward.

There’s a bit more humor infused into the script of the stage musical than we saw in the movie. Somehow, the Cowardly Lion is the focus for many of the funny moments.

There are the same principal roles as the movie: Dorothy and her friends, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the wizard. My friend, Anthony, had the role of the Scarecrow. It was fun to see his performance. I met Anthony at Rochester Civic Theatre, and I believe it was as a cast member for The Wizard of Oz!

I enjoyed shooting the show, adding my point of view to the images, and hoping they are enjoyed by the cast and crew and serve them well on their web site. I’ve shot many shows, and I am still learning! But that’s how I view photography in general – there’s always something to learn, a new way to look at things. Like all art, I think. Including theatre.

Tomorrow, I’ll be shooting The Rocky Horror Show at Riverland and Saturday is Les Misérables at Rochester Civic Theatre. Both should be fun shoots, and I’m hoping to come away with plenty of good photos. And I’ll probably learn a thing or two!