The cast of Much Ado
 

I was rejected by the Phoenix Library with my idea of featuring my figure sketches from the past two shows done by our local "The Shakespeare Theatre" so, with two extra weeks and no costumes to work with, I decided instead of working to get all the actors in scenes, I would just forge ahead and do portraits. These are the 19 actors in the cast. I found the new Jerry's Artarama in Tempe and made simple black backgrounds and sleeved them in clear enveloped to hang on the wall of the lobby with the character and actors name below.

The actors have a sense of their characters but as they were all from rehearsal shots, I just post them, leads first and down the line...

These are the two couples.... the double are actually married in real life, the gentleman in the other couple is in ALL the shows, and I ran out of energy for him. BUT as the whole wall is the cast, he is my last project today.

these are the fathers uncles and Dons.

Giggling women and two clowns

The constable, his aid, the priest and sexton

A poster for the program, two villians and finally the street musician.

HOPEFULLY, since the cast is starving actors, their families and friends may be of a more gift giving mind and buy them off the wall.

We close on the 23rd and I will happily replace originals with duplicates if they have to rush out for framing.

Today I am designing a poster of information on me and the series. I am sure the chatter in the lobby will be good and I have no idea quite what to do as a compensation to the theater. Last two shows were black and white and I made down and dirty posters at 11x17 for sale for fund raising. I may just put out cards from previous shows, as these are a bit ambitious for me to stock IN CASE there will be a market for copies.

Wish us all luck!

Although some are more refined or finished than others, they still have an incredible freshness to them. They feel like they've just been done while we were looking over your shoulder. Too cool.

Benedick, the final cast member and a souvenir poster for fund raising...DONE

Words fail me. WOW has to sum it up.

It looks like you had a great time with this. Its exciting to look at.

Wow, this is great, Debra! Your lines and colors are alive. I especially like the poster. What a clever idea--I'll bet it sells extremely well and that you will run out and have to take additional orders.

Alex

You are amazing Debra! I love your work. Giving up that day job is soon to be in your future.