One of the central questions in Shakespeare’s epic Henry VI is how the actions of political elites affect the lives of ordinary people. This is the question that led adaptor and director Barry Edelstein in his vision to radically include community members in a never-before-attempted project that would revolutionize the discussion of Shakespeare as being for all people. The vision was to open the doors of the creation process to the community so that citizens of San Diego would be woven into the fabric of the piece through direct collaboration with nearly all elements of the design.

Scenic designer Lawrence E. Moten III guided participants through a design process that started with inspirational images in sculptural reference books and ended with 3D sculptures of suns made from materials such as paper, glue, Popsicle sticks, yarn, and pipe cleaners. Lawrence used the sculptures that were created in the workshops as inspiration for the three suns you see in tonight’s show.

Our sound designer Melanie Chen Cole walked participants through hands-on live Foley workshops that led to participants creating atmospheric sounds like rain, thunder, and more using their bodies and other musical instruments. Each participant had the opportunity to record their sounds, which Melanie edited and incorporated into the soundscape that you are listening to today.

Lighting designer Mextly Couzin shared her talents with the general public by hosting tech hours with aspiring designers in the community. She showed them how to hang and focus lights and how to program and run a light board.

We swung our rehearsal doors open so community members could sit and watch the making of the production and be in the space with the cast, crew, and creative team. It was a treat to have so many young artists, visiting artists, and local talent join us for a behind-the-scenes look at what was being created.

Our projection designer and videographer Caite Hevner filmed about 200 individuals, directed by Barry Edelstein, to compose the crowd scenes you will see in tonight’s show. In addition, the team filmed folks from community partners around San Diego to create the spirits you see invoked by Joan of Arc and Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester. 

A group of local vocalists from all experience levels gathered together to be led by composer Julián Mesri to create choral-inspired music for the show. Starting with warmup exercises and single sounds, then building to longer, more complex vocal sequences, the group created sounds and songs that echo an ancient and universal quality.

Costume designer David Israel Reynoso engaged participants in a series of activities that would inform his design choices for the soldier costumes in the play. Participants had an opportunity to draw and craft their own designs based on how they would identify themselves as soldiers.

Community members learned one of the many fight sequences led by our fight director Jacob Grigolia-Rosenbaum. They watched our M.F.A. students perform a sequence, learned how to safely stage a real combat scene, and took a chance at performing the sequence themselves. 

We also held an Intro to Shakespeare Acting Workshop, led by Barry Edelstein himself, who ushered local community members through an accessible text analysis workshop where they learned tips and tricks for navigating the poetry and structure of Shakespeare's text.

Each night of this production, you will see three to five community artists, partners, friends, staff and local San Diegans on the stage fulfilling active walk-on roles. They each have been given lines, a costume, blocking...a real opportunity to join the magic of the stage with the full professional company of Henry 6.

Last but not least, before you entered the theatre, you saw a full-scale installation and living community art project, inspired by the costume and scenic designs of Henry 6. Audience members are encouraged to participate in the creative process and build a red or white flower that they can then add to the larger-than-life crown that currently sits at the top of our Copley Plaza. It was important to us that audience members could leave their own artistic legacy and fully engage from the moment they step onto the plaza until the moment of the final bow.

We are thrilled to say that over 1,000 San Diegans were a part of making this experience. Whether they joined a workshop, acted as a walk-on, filmed a video, or participated in tech, community members made the difference—and when we say community, we mean veterans, college students, teachers, artists, parents, staff members, Board members, retirees, toddlers… the list goes on. The project was a humble attempt to make our stage look like its community, to be inclusive in identity and intersectionality, and to honor the cultural and social diversity of our region. From the workshops to the stage, the response from our community has been a sweet surprise that has warmed our hearts and affirmed our efforts. Members have had authentic and evocative responses to this process, not just because we are putting on a play, but because we have created something together. People have felt seen, valued, even validated. We have all grown closer together and drawn closer to the spirit of our mission—making theatre matter to more people—and we are doing that in a way that sincerely lives beyond the stage. It is our hope that our beloved community has been inspired by this process. We know we have been.

With love,

Adena Varner and Soroya Rowley 
Henry 6 Arts Engagement Producers