From Page to Stage

Art Ornelas makes his MainStage debut at a Set Designer with ...AND L.A. IS BURNING, making its world premiere at MST now through November 9.

When developing the set design, the designer may first draw up conceptual pieces like the elevations below to show the production team what they are imagining the space will look like. Below each elevation as originally conceived by Art is followed by a photograph of how the set design was actually executed.

Alvin (Timothy Eric) plans a practical joke on his unit partner in the office.



Haddie (Michelle Britton) introduces her pet fish to its new home.



Haddie warns Sylvia (Gwendolyn McLarty) of the hazards of wearing skirts with too short of a hemline in the dressing room of Nordstrom's.



Haddie considers the apology of friend and neighbor Sylvia at the local Safeway deli counter.

Set by Art Ornelas
Lighting by Daniel Polk
Costumes by Macy Peronne
Props by McKay Talley

And that's the word on the street!

Looking Back at Third

THIRD by Wendy Wasserstein made its Houston Premiere at Main Street Theater on September 4, 2008. Not to be undone by Hurricane Ike, THIRD persevered through storm, power outages and last minute venue changes. Here is a look back at the start of the MainStage season...

Laurie (Rebecca Greene Udden) introduces her class to King Lear.


Laurie learns that Nancy's (Rachel Dickson) cancer has returned.


Laurie confronts Third (Joshua Taylor) about plagiarizing his mid-term paper on Lear.


Third defends his paper to the committee.


Third meets Laurie's daughter Emily (Mollie Meagher) by chance in a townie bar.



Laurie and her father Jack (David Parker) dance under the stars.

Set by Jodi Bobrovsky
Lighting by Kent Arneson
Costumes by Troy Scheid
Props by McKay Talley

And that's the word on the street!

The MST Q&A: Jennifer Gilbert

Jennifer Gilbert appears as the Pig in IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PARTY, starting public performances this week. Get to know a little more about Jennifer as she answers MST's Q&A...


Full given name: Jennifer Louise Gilbert

Hometown: Houston, TX

Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

Audition Monologue/Song: Varies depending on the specific audition. General go-tos are Catherine in Proof and the songs “Moonshine Lullaby” and “On the Other Side of the Tracks”

Special skills: singing “Anything Goes” in Mandarin Chinese

Current show you have been recommending to friends: August: Osage County

Favorite show tune: Changes with the seasons. Current faves: “How Glory Goes” from Floyd Collins and “Say it Somehow” from The Light in the Piazza

MAC or PC? I’m a PC.

Most played song on your iPod: “Warwick Avenue” and “Stepping Stone” by Duffy

Last book you read: I just finished all 9 Little House books; what an amazing series!

Must-see TV show: What Not to Wear and Project Runway (Buffy is my all-time fave though!)

Last good movie you saw: The Dark Knight

Favorite board game: Not quite a board game, but I am partial to Rummikub.

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Mary Louise Parker

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Rock of Love (seasons 1 and 2)

Favorite post-show meal: Chocolate shake or anything fried.

Worst onstage mishap: I was in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and we had a small pool as part of the set. Water was splashed from it in one of the scenes, and as I made an exit one night, I slipped and fell straight on my bum while still on stage. Embarrassing and painful.

Worst costume ever: Both times I have performed in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, I played Woman 2 who sings “Always a Bridesmaid”. The dresses are meant to be awful and the costume designer did not disappoint either time. The most recent incarnation was a peachy, off the shoulder dress, with puffy sleeves, a tight bodice, and ultra full skirt with lots of tulle. In order to make it more hideous, the designer added four colorful bows to the bodice and gave me a comb for my hair that was decorated with a maroon flower, maroon tulle, and colorful ribbons. I was tres chic!

Favorite cereal: Quaker Oatmeal Squares (gotta love brown sugar!)

Who would play you in the movie? Laura Linney

IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PARTY, from the series of books by Laura Numeroff plays our Chelsea Market location Saturdays, now through October 25, 2008. For tickets, please call 713-524-6706.

And that's the word on the street!