Seeking a creative team for "Walk in the Day"

[bnewman]

I'd like to get my Quaker science fiction action/adventure musical, Walk in the Day, into shape to be actually performed at various events in the next year or so. I'll need several different kinds of help from a lot of people, including of course a complete (and most likely distinct) cast for each event.

Here's the plan.

I'd like to arrange productions of Walk in the Day at any combination of the following events:

• Conflikt (January — Seattle, WA)
• Boskone (February — Boston, MA)
• Swarthmore Alumni Weekend (June — Swarthmore, PA)
• Contata (July — Parsippany, NJ)
• Renovation (August — Reno, NE)
• OVFF (October — Columbus, OH)
• Philcon (November — Cherry Hill, NJ)

For most of these events I have not yet made any kind of contact with the organizers to see if Walk in the Day can be part of the official program. For Conflikt and Boskone, I have made inquiries, and it seems rather likely that I'll be able to do it at those cons if it's ready in time. Each of these productions will need someone (besides me) to manage the production and make sure everything gets done.

Each production will need a cast. Performers will need to be able to sing and read dramatically, but (for reasons discussed below) don't need to be stage actors. Most songs feature multiple characters trading lines back and forth conversationally, each following the same melody in the same key. We'll also need instruments, which could be guitar/melody instrument/percussion, or a piano, or any other arrangement that can provide a soundscape of about that level of richness.

The script I have is a very rough draft. I'm looking for some readers to look over it (and subsequent drafts) and help me polish it. I'm particularly looking for people who can help with characters incongruously speaking in the author's voice, with plot logic, and with cultural sensitivity/appropriation issues.

Right now, the music for Walk in the Day exists in my head, as scratch MP3s, and as fakebook leadsheets with chords. I remember more or less where to put the capo for each song when I'm singing it. I'll need help arranging and transcribing the music for the cast's various voices, as well as orchestrating a few inter-scene instrumental bits.

I'd love to see Walk in the Day really staged, someday, but staging it right would involve a lot of costuming and effects and OMG the lighting design... anyway, no. The first round of performances will be produced as recitations, in a concert format, rather than staged. I am considering a visual component that could be presented as a slideshow or simple animation — this could be part of, or prelude to, my eventual plan to publish the book of the musical as a graphic novel with CD insert. I'm looking for an illustrator. The style I have in mind is a stark chiaroscuro reminiscent of Ursula Vernon's Digger.

I'm also looking for someone who can remind me of any important assistance I should be looking for but have neglected to mention above.

If you're interested in helping out in any of these capacities, please comment here. This is for real this time. I'm really looking forward to making Walk in the Day happen with your help.

Comments

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

I would be interested in being a reader.

I might be interested in singing a part (depending on there being one I can, you know, sing :-) but the only one of those cons I'm likely to get to is OVFF.

[seishonagon.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy to be a reader, though I'll need a fair amount of lead time given my insane schedule these days.

Are you thinking of doing a recorded version at any point? I don't think I'll be at any of the events you mention, but I would love to participate in a recording.

This sounds awesome, by the way.

[seishonagon.livejournal.com]

One event I might be at, actually - I may be at Contata. We'll have to see.

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

I expect to be at Philcon, could be at the Sw. Wkend, might be at Contata. HOWEVER... Things bein' as they are, The back of the police station is out I can't commit to cast or musical participation, much as I'd love to. But a reader? Yo!!

[areyououtthere.livejournal.com]

I'd be interested in being a reader (though it looks like you have plenty.) I also MAY be interested in singing at AW, but I can't guarantee anything about what I'll be doing in December now, let alone next summer, so talk to me again closer to the day.

[matt-rah.livejournal.com]

I'm a pretty skilled orchestrator/arranger, as these things go. I would need the original in basic lead sheet form, though (melody plus chords notated)—it would take me too long to do the transcription in addition.

Matt

*raises hand*

[maverick-weirdo.livejournal.com]

The person at Conflict that I think you need to get onboard (if you haven't already) is shaddyr.

I am interested in helping. I am a good reader.

I would be interested in being a performer, but from my knowledge of the play I have doubts that I am a good "fit" for any of the parts.

I might be able to do an illustration.

I'm guessing that I'll see you on Saturday at the MassFilc meeting.

[emp42ress.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy to sing or play fiddle at Boskone, as long as you don't want too much in the way of rehearsing before Arisia. I'm a mezzo, happiest in the alto/high tenor range. I also have a band (Stranger Ways) consisting of fiddle, guitar and drums, along with singers (one of whom is not playing) that might be recruitable if that's a useful arrangement. I'd have to talk to them, of course.

[dvtune.livejournal.com]

If you'd like someone to play guitar (acoustic or electric), or electric bass, I can help with that. I plan to be at Boskone, and am very likely to be at Contata (which is in early July, not June) and OVFF.

[orawnzva.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, Contata date fixed.

[zdenka]

I would be happy to sing (soprano) and also to arrange/transcribe to the best of my limited abilities. Oh, and I can make high pitched sound effects. :-)

[markbernstein.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy to read, and I can perform and/or help manage at OVFF, which is the only event on the list I'll be attending.

[tirerim.livejournal.com]

I'll be attending Boskone (except for Saturday morning and afternoon), hopefully part of Alumni Weekend (teacher certification exam the same weekend), and Contata, and would be happy to be in the cast. Also to do percussion, though unless we have a lot of rehearsal time (unlikely on my account alone) it's probably not wise to count on me doing anything even remotely complicated while also singing.

OVFF is a theoretical possibility, and I've been meaning to go for years, but at the moment it's too far in the future to think about.

Contata message...

[hms42]

Relaying word to the conchair for Contata to help out.

Re: Contata message...

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

I am here. I will ping you in e-mail with ideas.

Meanwhile, I am happy to help read, and perform in whatever capacity you need me. I'll be at Conflikt, Contata and OVFF for sure. As yet, unsure about Boskone.

[hms42]

I can capture audio of many of the conventions for your CD insert at a number of these conventions.

Will you be at Philcon next week?

[tibicina.livejournal.com]

The only one of the cons I'll be at is Conflikt, but I'd certainly be interested in a part in the cast.

I could also play flute, recorder or a very simple harp part.

I'd also be willing to try to read through ahead of time for voice and continuity/clarity issues.

[madfilkentist]

For Boskone, I won't be able to get it featured event space but should be able get a moderate-sized function room and a decent time slot for it. If there's other stuff I can help out with, we can talk about it at the MASSFILC meeting if you'll be there.

[glynhogen.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy to be a reader. You do not want me singing; otherwise I'd volunteer for AW and Philcon cast.

Re: staging, you should talk to nightengalesknd if you haven't already. She has experience doing a lot with very little, and might be able to give you pointers about the next round of performances.

[fiddledragon.livejournal.com]

I would be happy to help out as cast or crew for any of the performances I'll be at.

[mneme]

I would be interested in helping out, and will be at Conflikt, Boskone, Contata, Renovation, and OVFF. (I might be too busy to help at Contata, but it depends).

Mind, I suspect that you don't want to do a production at -every- one of those events (and we need to look at the schedule for Contata and whether our own ideas of putting a dramatic presentation are practical).

[sodyera.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to sell my novels/screenplays, so I'd at least know what to look for in a script. I'd be interested in editing/commentary. And I can sing. Let's see what you've got.

[rebeccapaul.livejournal.com]

I am not volunteering myself, but I know people local to OVFF that might be interested in helping out. Can I pass this on?

[orawnzva.livejournal.com]

Sure, if you think they'd be interested in attending.

When you get enough ducks in a row for OVFF:

[robin-june.livejournal.com]

Once you figure out your logistical requirements (e.g., rooms & times for rehearsal & performance; & advertising for participants & audience; & instructions for the sound/video guys), come track me down re OVFF and I can bring it up to the rest of the concom, especially the programming director.

Robin N,
OVFF Concom

[zentinal.livejournal.com]

Hello Ben:

Would you like a signal boost for this? I believe I know some folks outside of your normal circle who might be interested.

[orawnzva.livejournal.com]

Yes, please!

[fifi-the-turtle.livejournal.com]

Be glad to help at Boskone (see my response to the original Walk In The Day post) - just let me know what to do, when and where. Scheduling considerations for me are that I may not be there Friday and am only free on weekends for rehearsal, etc. You can gmail me at Phoebe dot Michels.

[orawnzva.livejournal.com]

Because I'm planning to arrange performances at a number of non-local conventions, I'm going to try to come up with a non-local rehearsal protocol. This will probably involve a scratch recording of the entire musical with a version for each character with their part muted or panned all the way into one stereo channel.

[batshua]

If I'm in the area, this would so be something I'd want to be a part of.

Of course, right now, I'm not in the area.

BUT I'D LIKE TO BE!