Moving on with the Catbird Seat

Last week we kept working through the script!
On Tuesday, Emma, Aaron, Jess and I met up on the Terrace to rehearse. We warmed up with movement with the chairs. I asked them to respond to each other and to think about why they might change seats or stay put. I asked them to speed up and slow down as well, for example, by telling them that they were in a very expensive shop and everything was fine glass. Dont. Break. Anything. I asked them to notice each other and respond also, which is important to the piece as a whole. When Emma's character becomes narrator, part of her needs to be aware that Aaron is still behind her. We worked on blocking whch is difficult without the boundaries of the theatre. We also almost saw someone get asked to prom, but we weren't that lucky. Maybe next rehearsal!

On Thursday we warmed up with one of my favorites. "Dolphin" is a game where one actor leaves the room, and the rest determine a task he or she needs to accomplish when they come back. In honors theatre, this task has been anything from "mime eating a cheeseburger," to "climb to the top of the shelves, grab the silver pin, and hang it on the side of the round table so it balances." Props to Jimmy for figuring that one out! All the audience can do to help the actor is clap or boo (but I took away their booing rights). This excersize is great to get everyone trying EVERYTHING. While Jess walked around the room, we could tell she was looking for a task like "write on the white board," or " pick up the glass jar." We wanted her to wave her arms and make an elephant sound. Aaron had to do some exploration too before finding his goal, but its a good excesize for listening and looking at your options as an actor.
Then, I had everyone sit down with a pen and paper. I did this instead of improv because I didn't want to put them on the spot and have them focus on their presence, motivation, or anything that would get in the head. Because, I wanted to ask them about their characters. Who are you? Where did you grow up? Who was your idol? What's your least favorite food? I think it would be helpful to start figuring out these details  consciously. Get a feel for your well rounded character and don't end up leaning towards stereotypes. Even if they forget everything they wrote down, the process of writing it down should help them start to get to know Martin, or Ms. Fitweiler, or whoever they are. I probably won't remember you're favorite food, but our conversation in general would help me get to know you better. You know? I also asked them the difference between what their character thinks of themselves and what they think of their character. another thing to think about.
We brushed up/ran through the first part of the peice just to keep choices and blocking fresh. I gave them quick notes before they had to leave: "turn earlier and farther around," "let the idea stand you up," or "remember, that's a threat." I 100% need to work on stages for three sides of audience and not have them face out all the time. I need to wrok on articulation too. But there are some strong choices happening and I can't wait until we can finish the script! We're under a month away now. It's gonna go by fast!