next to normal (Seabass Theatre)

Venue/Date of Show: Bidding Playhouse MT26

Content Warnings: bipolar disorder, depression, grief, loss of a child, suicide attempts, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Deadline: Wednesday WK5 (February 18th) @ 23:59

Following our preliminary crew call, Seabass Theatre is now looking to recruit further department leads, and production assistants, for our Playhouse bid: next to normal.

We are looking for:

LIGHTING DESIGNER Given a) this is a musical and b) we are exploring a very minimal approach to set, the lighting elements in this show will be absolutely crucial for getting the right vibes across. There is a lot of energy in this show, and so feeling like the lights are dancing along to the music (a little concert-esque), and finding ways to communicate the emotional depths that the show reaches will be the responsibility of the lighting designer.

COSTUME DESIGNER I would like to explore the possibility of expressionistic approaches to costuming that would add significantly to the collage-theatre nature of the production. Let's go crazy. Go stupid. Ah.

HEAD OF SOUND This role will be more mixing-focused than QLab focused, as there aren't really any major sound cues or room for ambience in the show, with maybe 2 or 3 exceptions. next to normal is quite operatic in structure, and so a great deal of it is sung through. Creating an immersive, punchy, loud, and intelligible mix will be crucial to the success of the show musically and dramatically.

WELFARE OFFICER Given the intense nature of the show, especially for the roles of Diana and Natalie, we would like to explore links to psychological organisations for theatre. This will be one of the responsibilities of the Welfare Officer, and wider team. Otherwise, the job will involve a calm and relaxed cast and crew who feel open and able to express difficulties they might face.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR(S)

ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR(S)

ASSISTANT PRODUCER(S)

MARKETING ASSISTANT(S)

THE SHOW
Dad's an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling bipolar disorder for 16 years. next to normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart.

This deeply moving piece of theatre provides a wonderful opportunity for performers to explore dramatic material and showcase vocal talents with an energetic pop/rock score. next to normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.

THE PRODUCTION
In true Seabass style, I don't want to approach this show traditionally. I want to peer inside of Diana's head, and realise in a kind of visual collage what exactly makes her tick, and how we can understand her now in a post-lockdown world of open conversations about mental health.

The theatrical language will be very stark. I'm hoping to employ several key visual media, such as an open/ bare stage; extensive use of flies; the slow decaying of household appliances (inc. a crashed car, hehehehe); and projections. There's method to the madness, and it goes a hell of a lot deeper than what I can realistically say here without sounding like a pompous dick. I promise I have thought it through, though, and it'll be really exciting to explore these concepts as a team.

CONCLUSION
Seabass Theatre is an inclusive company, and we encourage everyone to apply, especially Freshers and people from backgrounds usually underrepresented in Oxford Drama. In light of current events, we would like to emphasise our commitment to diversity and inclusion and actively encourage LGBTQ+, BAME, disabled, and state-school educated creatives to apply to this crew call. There is no minimum experience level.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us at seabasstheatre@gmail.com

Link to Further Information/Sign Up Form: https://forms.gle/wgEmkdo9rkzWbXQq6