Wednesday, January 30, 2008

KQED Spark Feature

Mark your calendars! KQED will be airing a special Spark episode that goes behind the scenes of Blood Knot at 7:30 p.m. on February 6, 2008.

The Spark team spent time interviewing Charles Randolph-Wright and Tracy Chapman about the challenges they face working on this play. They also captured exclusive rehearsal footage with Steven and Jack.

Watch a preview of the Spark episode online (Real Player is required), and click here to check out all of the upcoming air dates.

UPDATE: The entire Blood Knot feature from the Spark episode can now be streamed online on the KQED website. Make sure you have Real Player installed on your computer so that you can watch the video.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

PBS website about race in society, science, and history

The publications department at A.C.T. provided a great link to the 2003 PBS documentary Race: The Power of an Illusion.

Visit the website: Race: The Power of an Illusion

This interactive site contains a slew of fascinating materials including articles, quick facts about race, and a comprehensive collection of research materials.

Many of the questions raised on the website are the same questions our actors and artistic team will be contemplating as they work on bringing Blood Knot to life on the A.C.T. stage.

Stay tuned for more...

Blood Knot rehearsals underway

Yesterday we had the wonderful opportunity to welcome Charles Randolph-Wright, Tracy Chapman, and the cast and artistic staff of Blood Knot to A.C.T.

At our meet and greet, Carey Perloff gave Charles a very warm welcome back (he previously directed Insurrection: Holding History, Tartuffe, and Blithe Spirit at A.C.T.) and he proceeded to share many of his thoughts about directing this challenging play. He also introduced the lovely Tracy Chapman, multi-talented songwriter and performer, who will be composing original music for this production of Blood Knot. In addition, we got to see a special sneak peak of the costume sketches and set design concepts.

Core company actors Steven Anthony Jones and Jack Willis are now in rehearsal and preparing for Blood Knot to open on February 8, but they will continue to share their thoughts here about the show and their trip to South Africa last year.

Be sure to visit www.act-sf.org/bloodknot to read more about the cast and the show!