JEFF SHERWOOD

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    JEFF SHERWOOD

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    BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK

    Carole and Gordon Mallett Theatre at Purdue University Theatre

    BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK

    Written by Lynn Nottage
    Directed by Ameenah Kaplan
    Sound Design by Jeff Sherwood
    Incidental Music by Jeff Sherwood
    Cue Samples

    Vera Stark Aesthetic​

    Bessie Smith - Bessie Smith
    00:00 / 00:00

    Brad Donovan Show Intro Music and Stingers

         In Collaboration with Assistant Chris Carignan

    Donovan Intro -
    00:00 / 00:00

    Radio Drama Sequence

    Radio Drama Sequence - Radio Drama Sequence
    00:00 / 00:00
    Sound Design & Composition Concept

    It is 1933 on the back-lots of Hollywood where young black actress, Vera Stark, fights to be on the screen with her white counterparts.  Early jazz artists of color including Cab Calloway, Count Basie, and Bessie Smith inspire Vera’s world, where the all the action happens.  In between auditions, she does what she can to make a living by working as a maid to white movie star, Gloria Mitchell (aka “America’s Little Sweetie Pie”).  

     

    The next big Hollywood blockbuster is set in 1855 New Orleans, and calls for black actors to play their “known” stereotype—slave roles.  How messed up is that?  Vera Stark is faced to question her identity.  What is she willing to give up, to get on that movie screen?  Sometimes we feel the mantle of an entire people’s reputation on our shoulders, and Vera certainly has some tough choices.  

    ​

    Even moving forward to the 1970’s, entertainment still encapsulates a predominately white sound.  Vera Stark has become a Hollywood STAR and now gets interviewed on talk shows.  Dozens of movies later, she is still asked about her pivotal role in the Belle of New Orleans.  Her white-actress counterpart Gloria Mitchell makes a surprise visit on the talk show.  Things blow up when Vera is relentless in shedding light on the racism of the 1930’s while Gloria tries to brush it all under the rug.  

    ​

    Vera’s Hollywood debut opened doors for future black female actors to emerge.  But how far does her impact really reach?  Racism is still very real today.  We even see this as scholars try to pick apart Vera’s career and identity at a colloquium. Vera has now disappeared and we are left to ask—WHO REALLY IS VERA STARK??  WHO REALLY IS VERA STARK??

    Photos

    Click on an image below for a detailed description.

    Gloria Mitchell's Apartment
    Gloria Mitchell's Apartment
    Vera's Apartment
    Vera's Apartment
    Vera's Apartment - Radio Drama
    Vera's Apartment - Radio Drama
    Vera's Audition
    Vera's Audition
    Belle of New Orleans
    Belle of New Orleans
    Brad Donovan Show
    Brad Donovan Show
    Live Video and Audio in Donovan Show
    Live Video and Audio in Donovan Show
    Show More
    Additional Paperwork

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    • Sound Cue Sheets

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    • Signal Flow

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    • Speaker Plot

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    • Rigging Details

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    • Arranged Music - "I'm Just Wild About Harry"

     

    ​

    © 2019 Jeff Sherwood. 

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      © 2019 Jeff Sherwood.