Interview: Director Casey Cunningham In The Wild

Company member Casey Cunningham is the director for our next installment of WildClaw in the Wild, My Daughter Keeps Our Hammer, by Brian Watkins.  Casey has worked extensively with WildClaw as a performer; she recently received rave reviews for her work in our The Life of Death as well as in Facing Angela with The Ruckus Theatre. She has recently directed THE PRICE, a hybrid play/radio play by WC artistic associate Chris Hainsworth, for the late night spooky cabaret Strangers and Strangerers, produced at Hugen Hall in association with WildClaw; assistant directed for Anna Bahow on Scott T. Barsotti's play BREWED, produced by the Ruckus and Tympanic Theatre companies; and directed Hainsworth's radio play TWO FLAT, for a future episode of Blood Radio. We'll be talking with Casey about what drew her to "Hammer," how directing horror is different from other genres, and What Scares Her.

What attracted you to direct this script in particular for WIW? What frightens you most in this piece? What resonates most with you?

I think the relationship between the sisters is what initially drew me in.  I have a sister, a year younger than I am, and though we're very close, we're very different.  And I understand how family obligation and personal perceptions of the value of the other siblings' contributions to the family can create a sense of division in the relationship and affects family dynamic.  What keeps me interested in the story is the notion that one critical decision can have a staggering affect on the outcome of not only that moment, but also your life.  The idea that you can get caught in the momentum of that decision, for better or worse, and find yourself drowning in the continued consequences of it is scary to me.

Blogger's rendering. May be totally inappropriate.

What challenges does a reading present versus a full production? What is the biggest challenge for this particular piece?

In this piece, the staging is very, very simple, but also very specific.  3031 is actually a fantastic venue for it, as will be the gradual setting of the sun.  But the script also calls for some effects that we won't have the capability to pull off in a reading setting, so I'm working now on figuring out that balance.

What was the most exciting discovery you and your actors made while rehearsing or table-working this piece? What is your favorite insight you hope to take away from this process, about directing as well as horror?

The more I learn about directing, the more I understand just how much of a collaborative process it is.  Every person who contributes to a production, no matter the scale or their role in it, helps to shape what an audience ultimately sees, or in our case, hears.  My favorite part is thinking I've got something really nailed down and then having that idea turned completely on its ear by a collaborator with an entirely different perspective.  The text, the actors, the designers all contribute to making directors look good. 

How is directing horror different from directing other genres of theatre, both good and bad?

I think the best horror is that that focuses on the people at the center of the stories.  I think you have to care about them before you can care about what happens to them or what they do.  Which is not unlike directing any other genre, however the extenuating circumstances no doubt will be.  So, in directing horror, part of the challenge may be to cut through the extraordinary elements of the story and get at the heart of the characters.  I can't personally relate to monsters and ghosts and vampires, but I can relate to heartbreak and fear and anxiety. 

What do you like about horror in theatre versus other mediums?

I love to be surprised by horror onstage.  As someone who's created and seen a lot of theater, and someone with a curious mind, I'm often pulled out of the action of a play because my brain tries to figure out how the tech elements are contributing to what I'm seeing.  With horror, I love the feeling of "I have no idea how they pulled that off."  I think WildClaw is particularly good at that element of surprise. 

What's the scariest thing you've ever seen and/or had to do on stage?

The WildClaw productions I've been a part of as an actor have been exceptionally challenging and scary in different ways.  KILL ME (written by Barsotti, directed by artistic associate Jeff Christian) required extraordinary mental focus, precision, and heightened listening skills.  The text was relentless in structure and it was mighty easy to zone out for half a second and miss 14 cues, jump three pages, something that could derail the show for the entire cast.  That show was terrifying every night (and I loved it).

Join us this Sunday, August 4th, at 3031 for My Daughter Keeps Our Hammer, featuring Baize Buzan, Dennis Frymire, Sarah Gitenstein, and extra special musical guest Jessie Fisher.

Plague Pit in England...Ring a bell?

Plague victims' skeletons are unearthed during the constructions of the Crossrail train link in London. Photograph: Crossrail/PA

Another WildClaw play becoming a reality.  First zombies...now some plague pits...what's next?  My vote is for sexy lady vampires...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/mar/15/black-death-victims-city-london

Life of Death Dramaturgical Guide

You have seven more chances to see it.  Here is a little extra info and deep thoughts sort of thing for you...also good for the school kids out there.  Bring your id to get a student discount!  Industry discounts on thursdays and sundays as well!

The Life of Death is Open!

Here's a little peak...use the code BRINGOUTYOURDEAD for two for one tickets at the box office.

Photos by Kevin Mullaney.

Haunted Chicago at the Chicago History Musuem

There are so many cool things to do in Chicago at any given time...but I for one think October is the very best time to be a Chicagoan. The Bears are playing. The leaves are turning. And the dead are often rising. Oh and Wildclaw is doing a little play! In addition, check out some of the awesome tours and events at the Chicago History Museum. I am planning to go to a couple myself.

Chicago's Deathly Past
Unwrap the eerie history of our neighborhood at the Museum. You might not see dead people, but you will certainly be surrounded by them.
Garden of the Dead: The History of Lincoln Park’s Elusive Graves
Thursday, November 1, 6:30 p.m.

Chicago’s early dead were trafficked into and out of its first municipal graveyard, the Chicago City Cemetery. Pamela Bannos of the Hidden Truths Project shares stories of grave robbers, improper burials, and the confusion that led to Lincoln Park.
Cost: $10, $8 members

Haunted History of the History Museum
Wednesday, November 7, 6:30 p.m.
Take a ghost tour without leaving your chair. Curators Jill Austin and Naomi Blumberg will introduce you to some of the Museum’s creepiest artifacts and its haunted past.
Cost: $10, $8 members

Unfolding Tales: The Lingering Legacy of the Chicago City Cemetery
Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 p.m.
On this spine-tingling evening, Pamela Bannos digs up Lincoln Park’s hidden haunted history.
Cost: $10, $8 members

Creepy Cemetery Tours
Meet at the cemetery entrance.
Rosehill Cemetery West
Sunday, October 7, 1:00–3:30 p.m.

Al Walavich guides you through the west side of Rosehill Cemetery. Tour meets at 5600 North Western Avenue.
Cost: $16, $10 members
Graceland Cemetery
Saturday, October 27 and Sunday October 28, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.; Wednesday, October 31, 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Experience old Chicago via the graves of Marshall Field, Louis Sullivan, Potter and Bertha Palmer, and George Pullman. Tours meet at Irving Park Road and Clark Street.
Cost: $16, $10 members
Saturday, October 27, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 27, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 31, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Bohemian National Cemetery: Locked In After Dark!
Sundays November 4, and November 11, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
This unique opportunity to tour Bohemian National begins as the gates are locked and concludes after dusk. Headlamps or flashlights recommended; please bring your own. Reservations required, space is extremely limited!
Cost: $35, $30 members
Sunday, November 4
Sunday, November 11

Eerie Bus and Trolley Tours
Devil in the White City
Saturdays, October 6, November 3, and December 8, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Experience the excitement of 1893 Chicago on this unique tour based on Erik Larson’s best-selling book. Follow Daniel Burnham’s plans and learn about the devilish doings of H. H. Holmes as you explore the World’s Columbian Exposition.
Cost: $50, $40 members
Saturday, October 6
Saturday, November 3
Saturday, December 8

Chicago Sinister: Spiritualists, Spooks, and Memento Mori
Saturday, November 10, 3:00–7:00 p.m.
Venture into the parlor of the infamous Bangs sisters, learn the truth behind Resurrection Mary, and ponder the murderous objects collected by the Whitechapel Club and the Noose Coffee Shop.
Cost: $50, $40 members

Scene of the Crime: Infamous Chicago History
Saturday, November 17, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Richard Lindberg leads a brand-new bus tour of infamous murder sites, gangster hideaways, and the deep underbelly of the city.
Cost: $50, $40 members

Paranormal Pub Crawls
BOO-ze! Haunted History Pub Crawl
Wednesdays, October 17 and October 24, and Thursday, October 18, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Travel by trolley to Chicago’s most haunted drinking establishments with supernatural expert Ursula Bielski.
Cost: $30, $25 members
Wednesday, October 17
Thursday, October 18
Wednesday, October 24

Booze, Bars, and Bootlegging! Prohibition Era Chicago
Sundays, October 21 and November 18, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Find out what makes Chicago untouchable. Get a taste of infamous speakeasies frequented by some of Chicago’s infamous gangsters like Capone, Moran, and Dillinger. On this trolley tour, learn how prohibition came to be, some fascinating facts about the era, and how it ultimately shaped the city and its image.
Cost: $30, $25 members
Sunday, October 21
Sunday, November 18

Scary Special Events
Mysterious Museum and Garden of the Dead
Friday, October 12, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
This night of fright begins with a curator-led flashlight tour of the eerier parts of the Museum. From there, the journey moves outdoors to Lincoln Park’s plagued past. Bring your own flashlight; reservations required for this very rare opportunity!
Cost: $25, $20 members

Tomb Talks and Ghost Stories
Fridays, October 19 and October 26, and Tuesday, October 30, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for some spooktacular stories! We'll gather on the grounds of the original city cemetery and cozy up next to the only remaining tomb - the Couch Tomb. The first half of our bone-chilling hour will introduce you to the history of the cemetery while the last half focuses on ghost story telling. All Chicago centered, of corpse! Flashlights and blankets are a must as we'll be in the park at night!
Cost: $15, $10 members
Friday, October 19
Friday, October 26
Tuesday, October 30

Free Horror Movie Nights
Get ready for Halloween with two horror classics on Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Beer garden at Sheffield's, 3258 North Sheffield Avenue
Cost: Free. No reserved seating, so come early!
Silence of the Lambs
Sunday, October 21
Halloween
Sunday, October 28

Pints, Pumpkins, and Painting
Tuesday, October 23, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sheffield’s, 3258 North Sheffield Avenue
Make your own Halloween monster by creating a carved or painted pumpkin. This evening will combine history, art, and spirits (of both kinds). Fee includes craft instruction and materials; beverages and food not included.
Cost: $25, $20 members

Tap into History: Haunted Chicago Beer Dinner
Thursday, October 25, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Location: Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park
1550 N. Kingsbury
Chef Won Kim pairs beer and food at Whole Foods Lincoln Park for this evening of spookily good culinary delights, supernatural brews, and hair-raising history.
Cost: $35, $30 members

Abracadabra! A Night of Magic
Monday, October 29, cocktails 6:30 p.m., show, 7:30 p.m.
Marvel at strolling and fully staged performances by Suzanne the Magician and David Kovac the Modern-Day Vaudevillian, while enjoying cocktails from a cash bar.
Cost: $35, $30 members

City of Ghosts: A Historic Seance
Wednesday, October 31, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Spend Halloween uncovering the dark secrets of Chicago’s macabre past, with an interactive program of spine-tingling stories, eerie histories, and inexplicable supernatural occurrences. Space is extremely limited; reservations are required.
Cost: $35, $30 members

Wicked Walking Tours
The Wizard of Oz
Saturday, October 20, 5:30 p.m.
On this enchanted stroll, focus on the real story behind L. Frank Baum’s flying monkeys, wicked witches, and wild wizards. Tour meets at Webster and Burling.
Cost: $16, $10 members

How about a yummy plate of boils?

The cast and crew of Clive Barker's The Life of Death had a glorious tech weekend doing weird and disgusting stuff.  During downtime, many folks took part in the undignified task of making the boils...you heard me....boils!  Here is a little sneak peak of what you are in for....get your tickets now!

Yummy.

WildClaw's Kickstarter Campaign...KEEP THE BLOOD FLOWING!

So we announced our kickass Deathscribe lineup.  We just had an awesome time at our benefit.  And now we are just a week out from loading into the theatre for Life of Death tech rehearsals.  Opening looms and we are psyched.  We are also doing a little fundraiser.  We need your help to keep the blood flowing.  So if you can toss a few bucks (or a lot of bucks)...we will be eternally grateful!  Also, tell everyone you know to toss a couple of bucks into the pot.  And hold onto to your hats for another awesome fall and winter of scary good times with WildClaw Theatre....

WildClaw Fall Preview: Steampunk Benefit, Life of Death, Deathscribe 2012

So this thing is happening...and we are jazzed.  Tickets have gone live.  There is lots of chatter and excitement. Beer sponsored by the boys over at DryHop Chicago!  KBH Media is making the Fear Box even more fearier.  Have you started picking out your outfit yet?  Do you have no idea what Dark Steampunk is?  Well fear not...soon you will be bombarded with posts and information.  Get your goggles on kids...it is going to be a swell fall for the fiends and friends of WildClaw!

Invite everyone you know.

Ms. Michaela (that is Ms. Lulu Boilermaker to you) and I checked out the most recent event thrown by the fine fellows and ladies over at Steampunk Chicago.  Great fun was had by all.  We played lawn tennis America....or maybe it was croquet?  Something with mallets.  Of course we both noticed what fine bludgeoning weapons they would make...le sigh.  I highly recommend attending their upcoming events.  You will find many like-minded souls as we did.  Their Clockwork Vaudeville evening is happening on September 14th...it seems a splendid steampunk double-feature weekend to me?

Rehearsals and design meetings are well underway for The Life of Death opening in early October.  Get your tickets now.  It is going to be crazy good. 

Then the greatest gift of all comes in December....the Fifth Annual Deathscribe Festival of Horror Radio Plays at the Mayne Stage on December 3rd.  We are reading your creepy weird submissions right now and once again, we thank you from the bottoms of our filthy hearts for sharing your creative weirdness with us.

Next up...Clive Barker's The Life of Death Fall DCA 2012

Newsflash yall...it is official.