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

This week, I had the opportunity to shoot at a new venue for me, the Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, MN. Phoenix Theatre is producing Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof this weekend.

This is a marvelous play, an American classic, and really a must-see for theatre-goers. I remember RCT producing it about a decade or so ago, back before I was regularly photographing their shows.

Costumes were designed by Sara Shannon and Dace Miller. The simple, but elegant and effective, set was designed by Jeff Chalmers and Rob Meyer. Russell Johnson provided the lighting and sound with Calvin Harper. Props were handled by Jamie Johnholtz. Make-up and hair are being done by Paul O’Connell and Corinne Redman. The show was directed by Julie Martin and stage managed by Kim Chalmers.

My good friends Lindsay Herr and Angus Russell are portraying Maggie and Brick. One of the things I remember from the RCT production was the dialog – especially Maggie’s (aka Cat) constant rambling through most of Act 1. It’s certainly a dialog-driven show, as I think Williams’ plays tend to be. That dialog reveals layers that give dimensions to the characters. You walk out at the end still questioning who they really are.

It’s uncommon and counter to the way we seem to pigeon-hole people, both in fiction and real life.

Other players are Jerry LaCroix, Neil LaHammer, Micheal Lupella, David Oakes, Min Martin Oakes, and Marcy Watzl.

From a photography point of view, this was a nice change from my recent theatre shoots – there was generally plenty of light! There was a single set – the couple’s bedroom. Lighting in the Sheldon Theatre is apparently all LED lights now. These can pose some challenges, but there weren’t the color extremes that make capturing photos a little more difficult.

There were many scenes with two or three actors and some good opportunities to find an angle and focal length to capture an emotional moment.

When several folks are on stage, the goal is figuring out who are interacting and how to collect all of them together in a shot that shows that interaction.

I generally take several shots as they are performing and speaking. I’ll move a little, looking at their physical relationship and backgrounds, and watch where they move, and who is talking.

When the blocking has them all spread out, I will often grab a wide shot or two. While I prefer the more intimate photos, there’s some value to these larger shots. We see – and document – more of the set, and there’s sometimes a feeling there that is just different from what a close-up provides.

But, yeah, I do like close shots!

The show continues its run tonight and tomorrow afternoon. We’ll be there for the final performance tomorrow. It’s well worth your time. And, the Sheldon Theatre is a beautiful performance space with an early 20th century design. It reminds me of a handful of other theatres from that remarkable era. That it exists in the small town of Red Wing is pretty amazing.

I’ll have another post later with a few shots of the Sheldon. Watch for that one soon!