THEATER
ENSEMBLE
a propos of the wet snow
< notes from the underground >
"But no brief description—or any description, really—can do justice to the extraordinary manner in which Liptsin stages and performs this classic tale."
Ken Bullock "Berkeley Daily Planet"
InternationalTheaterEnsemble
presents:(based on “Notes From the Underground” by Feodor Dostoevsky)
A PROPOS OF THE WET SNOW
adapted and directed by Oleg Liptsin
film and camera – Sergey Levchin
interactive video art – Kevin Quennesson
premiered on September 26, 2007 at Phoenix Theatre in San Francisco
performed:
September-October 07 - San Francisco, CA
November 07 - Berkeley, CA
October-November 08 - Chicago, IL
Adapted and directed by Oleg Liptsin this classical novel is turned into explosive acting performance that operates on emotional provocations, shifting of characters, video-interactive arts and cutting edge projection technology. By integrating interactive art possibilities and new computer technology into live stage production the creators of this show hope to open new and refreshing creative opportunities in performing art.
The NOTES are presented by a team of internationally acclaimed artists from different parts of the world. A number of physically and artistically challenging stage acts theatrically deliver the story of Dostoevsky’s notorious hero – a 
person from the underground. This paradoxical man demonstrates the main controversy of the human soul – “the territory on which God and devil carry on their battle” – on examples of his own life. In the end, the hero is freed from convoluted philosophical questions by the naïveté and pure love of a young girl, Liza, and for the first time recognizes the simple beauty of life. A fresh and inspiring perspective on a world classic from the IT era!
For additional information:
Media Email: ITEtheater@gmail.com
"It touches on the deepest origins of drama, mime, vaudeville and commedia dell’arte in popular entertainment, and of that thing Francis Fergusson called “the Histrionic Impulse,” when (as Roland Barthes fleshed it out), one person changes his appearance and turns to face his community as if beyond the pale, telling or showing them the stories of their origins and of the quality of their soul."
Ken Bullock "Berkeley Daily Planet"
Links to reviews and opinions:
SFWeekly
Video-clip "Notes From The Underground" created be Kevin Quennesson
can be watched here:
Clip
To see a slide show from A PROPOS click here:
Slide Show
Videos on YouTube are here:
A PROPOS - 1 A PROPOS - 2 A PROPOS - 3
Technical conditions for the show
A PROPOS OF THE WET SNOW
(notes from the underground)
Stage:
- minimum performing area, “stage” area – 8 x 6 m (24 x 18 ft)
- minimum height above performing area – 4 m (12 ft)
- black curtains for the back wall on the entire opening scene
- video projecting screens – 1 for back projection, size 3.0 x 2.5 m (8 x 6 ft) and 1 for transparent projection, size 4.8 x 3.5 m (12 x 10 ft)
- 5 wooden chairs without armrest
- extension cables, suspending equipment, ladders, ropes, necessary tools
- 2 dressing rooms with AC power sockets, mirrors, costume hangers, iron
Lights:
- minimum number of light devices – at least 24 instruments (wash and spot), power range 300 – 1000 watt, combined power – at least 20 kWatt
- dimmer controlling board with 24 channels
- preferably 2 SVGA DLP video projectors, at least 2000 Lumens brightness, Mac compatible, with composite RCA jack input
- gels, cables
Sound:
- CD-playing device connected to sound mixer
- separate amplifier with connection to computer and mixer
- mixer control panel with the processing of the sound (at least 4 channels)
- acoustic system (at least 3 kWT for 200 seats)
Technical stuff:
- 2 technicians for setting and striking the stage
- 1 technician for light and sound
- minimum duration of stage setting – 6 hours
- minimum duration of technical rehearsal (at the fully set stage, with all equipment and technician) – 6 hours
- striking duration – 2 hours
