Getting To Know You: HIT Visits Oregon

So, tonight we had another production meeting.  I think what I like most about our meetings now is how often we are laughing about whatever it is we're doing--even if it's discussing the latest Harry Potter film.

Kat (Production Manager), Nora (Web Designer) and Elana (Artistic Director)

Tonight we found ourselves happily munching away whilst learning all about the region of our Summer production to be performed this June in Milton-Freewater, Oregon.  And just so you know...

I wasn't lying about the food spreads HIT provides at meetings.  

Delicious brie and pita chips aside, tonight's meeting was primarily dedicated to Ben & Elana updating us about their most recent trip up to Milton-Freewater.  They interviewed locals about this city's ripe history and thus, had a lot to relay back to us.  There's much more on that to follow, but in general it was fascinating to be introduced to the socio-economic history behind this city through the (second-hand) voices of its citizens, some dating back to the 1860s.

I think my favorite part was when Ben actually got out a handy-dandy map of Oregon and pointed to us non-oregonites where the landmarks we hear about routinely actually are.

Ben (Marketing Director) with Oregon

They also brought us materials to look at (like pictures from the 1800s of founding families from the two original towns that make up Milton-Freewater, a rundown of the Frazier historical landmarks where we'll be performing, and our sponsors, the Milton-Freewater Area Historical Society).  And then Elana gave us a photographic tour of the location of the historical sites:

Elana and Sarah (Managing Director)

All in all, it was a good night.  I personally felt that much more educated on the needs and interests of the community--plus, my brain was already running wild with ideas of sound design cues.  Mostly, I couldn't shake the image of miles and miles of wheat fields Ben described up there...I wonder where I can find a sound cue of that?  Hm.

HIT is set to revisit Milton-Freewater again this coming March for further research and a follow up with the citizens to review the script(s) that are now in the process of being written.  It's a slow process, but it's already getting off to a wonderful start; if you can't tell, those of us at HIT are absolutely excited about Milton-Freewater.

Sarah and Crystal (Set Design/Props)

I believe that's basically it for now.  More soon to come, as always.  

-Beryl (Social Media/Sound Design)

p.s. You might have noticed we're one short from tonight; our esteemed scenic artist, Alex, is still on the other side of the country in NYC.  We missed you, Alex!