The Scrapbook
The Actors Nightmare
by Christopher Durang
When: December 2003
Where:
Broadway West Theatre Company, Fremont California
Who: Director: Ross Arden Harkness
Asst. Director/ Stage Manager: Melinda Marks
Scenic Design:  Mary Galde and Ross Arden Harkness
Set Direction: Criag Cutting, Eric Johansson and James Lucas
Lighting Design:  Joe Jubilado
Sound Design:  Ross Arden Harkness
Costumes: Doll Piccotto
Props:  Ross Arden Harkness
Light Technician:  Melinda Marks
Sound Technician: Amit
Cast:  Jim Woodbury, Doll Piccotto, Kate Christ, Siobahn Thompson and James Lucas.
Special Guest Star:  Wormy the Christmas Dog
Production Synopsis:
Broadway West produced "The Actors Nightmare" as part of their Winter "Scenes Between".  An extra show in the season comprised of one-act plays that is done outside the regular season of main stage productions.  "Nightmare" usually plays in tandem with Durang's "Sister Ignatius" but, as this was the Christmas season, Broadway West played it with David Sedaris' "The Santa Land Diaries". 

To make this fun as a director and to tie it in with "Santaland" you will see Christmas trees onstage that were used in both shows.  The set itself was a bare stage painted black with only the christmas trees for color.  Also used in the play were two green garbage cans and an orange setee.

Since this was "The Actors Nightmare" and we were at Christmas time, I used "The Nightmare before Christmas" soundtrack as my preshow music and a rather sinister version of "Silver Bells" by Manhiem Steamroller as the curtain call music.  Places music in the beginning was "Twilight Zone" by Golden Earring.

With the stage being bleak and empty, it was up to the actors to fill it with there talent and they all performed wonderfully.
The Photos
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No, its not the Addams Family.  Its the cast of "The Actors Nightmare"! (Photo by Mary Galde)