No One Told Me There'd be Dancing . . .

When I thought about how I would spend my fall as an assistant director, I was ready for errand running, making props lists, looking into the odd dramaturgical mystery, keeping track of blocking—standard fare for assistant directors. I didn't expect to be filling in for a missing actor through a choreography rehearsal! With only two semesters of dance in college (ten years ago) and a lifetime awareness of what a uniquely bad mover I am, I have avoided "dancing" situations like the plague. This past weekend, Jonathan Groff (Claude in the Public's staged concert of "Hair") had to miss rehearsal in order to perform in matinees for Spring Awakening. So, I got to be Claude. All things considered, I didn't make too big an ass of myself . . .

Working with director Diane Paulus (distinguished Drama Leage Alum) has been a dream. Diane has been very generous about including me in every phase of the process—from meetings at the Public with the artistic staff, to intimate show planning meetings with the choreographer and music director. In addition, I'm getting to know this show for the first time with its living creators in rehearsal. Jim Rado and Galt MacDermot have been an integral part of this process from the beginning. There's no better way to learn a show.

Back to this choreography thing—all an assistant dirctor really wants (at least this assistant director) is to feel like I've served some essential purpose in making the show a success. With Claude having to miss a couple of rehearsals, I have been able to do this. After walking (and dancing) Claude's track for initial staging sessions, I was asked to work with Jonathan one on one to teach him what we had sketched in the previous day. What a blast! When you're asked to do that, you really get to know the staging and also get a picture of what is essential story-telling. I was a happy assisant when we ran the large junks with the "real Claude" for the first time and they went off without a hitch (a testament to Jonathan Groff's extreme talent and professionalism!).

Dan Rigazzi