Seussical Junior
Directing Proposal
From my directorial perspective, Seussical is about the creative power that people (especially children) have and how that should be encouraged and nourished instead of stifled. The show should look like it came straight out of a child’s imagination. To execute my vision for the show, I would go with a minimalist set, leaving the rest up to the audience’s imagination. We could have some simple flats with trees in a Seussian illustration style, and behind those, I would have a plain, white cyc.
I think lighting is the key to capturing the ethereal yet fun quality I want to establish. The show should open with a red and white hat on a lone black box in front of the closed curtains with a follow spot on the hat. Then, as “Oh The Thinks You Can Think” picks up, and we expand into the world Jojo creates with his imagination, we open the curtains and reveal a world of color! My vision is for Whoville to be lit with warm colors, while the Jungle of Nool would be primarily lit in cooler tones. These lighting changes will help contrast the two worlds and make it visually clear to the audience which world we are in. This will also create a beautiful rainbow effect when both worlds are present onstage. I would use small set pieces that roll on and off stage, like a bathtub for Jojo during “It’s Possible” or a tree for Horton to sit in during “Egg, Nest, and Tree.”
The Jungle of Nool characters should wear clothing suggestive of animals. However, the costuming can be more abstract than that. Primarily, the children should be dressed in colors or prints that match their characters and should have small defining features of the animal they are (i.e. animal ears on a headband or a pouch sewn on the Sour Kangaroo’s shirt). The Whos should be dressed in mostly warm tones to match their lighting with some small pops of blue for contrast.
I want to encourage the kids to make acting choices that will keep their characters grounded in a sense of reality while still invoking a sense of whimsy. The characters should be larger than life but still rooted in truth. I would be open to gender-bending almost any of the roles. However, I would especially like to cast a female-identifying person as Jojo or The Cat. The Cat serves as a throughline. The character is a symbol of Jojo’s creativity personified as an anthropomorphic cat. It is crucial that I get both the casting and direction right when it comes to this character because The Cat can make or break the whole show. The Cat should not be mean or rude but rather should have good intentions and serve as the embodiment of Jojo’s sheer creative force that is so powerful it can get him in trouble sometimes.
I will start rehearsals fifteen minutes earlier than usual to allow time for a warm-up before rehearsal. This will give stragglers time to funnel in without losing rehearsal time. It also provides everyone an opportunity to get into the rehearsal mindset. Doing warm-ups to get focused and centered will help us accomplish what we need to in rehearsals each evening. I also plan to block and choreograph the whole show chronologically, as much as is logistically possible. When young performers learn things out of order, it often makes it harder for them to know their cues and be comfortable in the transitions throughout the show. Learning the songs and scenes in order will help them retain the actual story of the show instead of just getting bits and pieces and trying to assemble them later. I would love to cast some four and five-year-olds in the show. Seussical is unique because it allows for a giant cast. Younger kids could play Whos in Whoville. The rehearsal time they need would be minimal, but they could still get a taste of being in a show.
I would be ecstatic to have the opportunity to direct this show. I have a strong emotional attachment to Seussical built from my experience performing in it. Seussical addresses the importance of imagination, embracing differences, being yourself no matter what, keeping promises, and doing what is right in the face of adversity. I think it is essential for kids to be exposed to these ideas at a young age. I have always related to the lovable outcast characters that make up this production. The music in the show is simple but very touching and poignant to listen to. I believe the show is underrated and often overlooked or swept to the side as being too simple or silly, when it is actually a beautiful and inspiring show. I would jump at the chance to help bring it to life on stage.
Seussical Rehearsal Calendar