Director's Blog, Performances
Interview with the Director of “The Shadow Box”, Ricky Rojas
Feb
After the opening of “The Shadow Box” by Michael Cristofer, we checked in with the Director, Ricky Rojas, to ask him about the show.
Question 1: Why did you want to direct this show?
This show was completely foreign to me before submitting my interest in directing. I think any director who’d read the description of this show would love to bite at the opportunity to sink their teeth into something so gripping and real. It wasn’t until after I expressed my interest that I got a copy and read through did I realize how much I resonated with this piece. I knew that this show deserved to be told as authentically and respectfully as any show that touches on the subject matter such as The Shadow Box. A few years ago I, and my mother, took on the responsibility of being the the care takers for my great grandmother, Margaret, as she was ordered to be put in hospice care as her health took a turn for the worse. We opted to do in-house hospice care to give her the comforts of home and surrounded by loved ones. We were given a week by the doctors estimate that she would pass. Everything came so sudden and every hour we spent with her seemed to pass at an instant. That week was one of the most intense and spiritually impactful experience I have lived through. There was so much that I felt and experienced in that week that mirrored within this show, just as I’m sure as it has with countless others that have had similar experiences. It made me relive how grateful I was to have those moments, to be there in those last days. I understood the importance of what this shows message forces you to face. Just as it says in The Shadow Box, “You always think you have more time. And you don’t.” And what we chose to do with this time; makes it all that more valuable.
Question 2: How would you describe your vision for this production?
Originally I planned to have a minimalist approach as I felt that the stories and characters were the driving force of this production. But I never settle for the minimum. Thanks to amazing hands such as, Andrew Trott, Kathryn Noser, Allison Hall, and all the support from the community during work calls we were able to really push the boundaries of what Company Onstage is able to fit on stage. From the set to the tech; the limitations were always being pushed to add just that much more to the production value to what it became. There was so much that was accomplished that I could not do on my own and the support and care put into making it happen made it all that much better.
Question 3: How has the rehearsal process been for this show? What has been exciting? What has been challenging?
The rehearsal process was such a breeze thanks with the help of my awesome stage manager Dylan Smail and my talented cast! Fortunately the show is split evenly with each of the three story lines so the rehearsal schedule allowed a good amount of intimate rehearsals and diving deep with each character. My main goal for the rehearsal process was to focus on all of the context leading up to what we see in The Shadow Box. Navigating these complex lives and relationships was essential in order make these struggles and foibles hold weight. My cast are a directors dream and everyone handled their characters with sincerity and care. I put my trust in them completely as I felt they did with me in my direction. Everyone was receptive to my notes and allowed me to lead them to where they needed to be.
Question 4: What has been your favorite moment so far?
For me, seeing the performance opening night was my favorite moment. I shared the tech booth with our interviewer/tech operator Isaac Kelly and he got to hear how thrilled and proud I was of everyone’s performance. There were a few “Friday Night Light” performances that night but they all achieved exactly what I had been pushing for towards the end of the rehearsal process and I couldn’t have been more pleased.
Question 5: What should the audience be excited about seeing or experiencing at your show?
I hope that audiences come not knowing what to expect but get the opportunity to reflect on what it truly means to live. Cancer is something that affects almost everyone whether directly or indirectly and getting a small glimpse into those windows of life may be what some people need to realize that they’re not alone in that battle. It’s a topic that is not exactly open and inviting and naturally we try to internalize it and come to terms with things in our own time. Even just for a moment, I hope audience members can reflect on the connections they have with loved ones or even reach out to someone just to let them know they’re not alone. To not take these moments for granted even when it’s not easy to endure. To accept and understand that these moments are also what makes up the beautiful experience of life.
Visit here to learn more about “The Shadow Box” and to get your tickets today.