Everyman

One Big Blog

The Rehearsal Process So Far If I Could Pick 3 Adjectives:

Stressful.

Building a piece from a loose story line has really been quite the challenge thus far. I find myself worrying often about being able to make the thing before tech week! I am reassured often by Joel that my task is 100% do-able, but I can’t help but doubt myself. This is my first time directing a group of people in a setting like this. The nervousness that I feel keeps me on my toes though, in a good way I think. Something interesting about this experience is since we are creating as we go I find myself in the position of “director” as well as “peer” as well as “friend” as well as “fellow player”. In order to really create something and get us up on our feet and running, I need to be a collaborator as well. Playing along with my group reassures me as well that things will turn out all right.

I also feel very stressed dealing with some of my actors’ scheduling issues. I understand in full that athletic commitments come first, but I find myself getting very frustrated and hurt when my actors neglect to keep me posted and filled in with their schedule. They don’t seem to care that it’s a huge inconvenience to me, and the rest of the cast as well. I also understand that they are unfamiliar with this kind of work and may not truly comprehend the gravity of what we are doing here, and in rehearsals. I’ve been trying my absolute best to be understanding, and I hope that eventually we will be able to work this through. I was happy this past weekend to receive a text in the cast-group-chat from one of these actors proposing a Monday rehearsal, which is not usually on the schedule. Seeing this initiative from this actor brightened my day for sure and fed my desire to really work with my players.

Fun.

            Creating this process and this piece is super fun. I have fun in every rehearsal, and I am so thankful to my cast for jumping right into things, head first, and being crazy. I know that what I am asking of them is tough, but everyone seems to be taking this process with a certain amount of levity, which I think is necessary to make this work.

            So far most of my cast members are able to have fun and be crazy, yet come back and focus when necessary. I hope this continues. I’m very thankful that my cast is comfortable with one another. This aspect of friendship and comfort is key is being able to work with each other smoothly. It provides a safe and trusting environment for all my players, and me too.

            One rehearsal this past week, I was working with Shea and Talman. We started with a guided improvisation about two people waiting in line for something. It turned into the two of them fighting over a doll and trying to compromise. This included lots of running around the stage and through the risers as well. This opened up the idea of using the aisles in the risers as playing space! The improv resulted in an imaginary character stealing the doll, and the two of them running around the space and the art wing searching for “Martha” who stole the doll! The two of this were so committed to the game, and didn’t stop for a second until I told them to. I was so proud! This was so incredibly fun for me to watch and play and be a part of, as well as them!

Experimental.

            This process needs to be filled with taking chances and making decisions and being crazy if it wants to succeed. The experimental aspect of it keeps things moving pretty fast. Right now in the process I am at a stage of reaping for material. I want to allow my players to get a handle on things and how this process is going to work; also I want to see what they can bring to the table. The more they can bring and create on their own, the better!

The experimenting also comes in the form of exercises and warm-ups for me. I create warm ups and improvisation games that I have never played before. This challenges me as a director to adapt to where the rehearsal is going and make things work for my cast. It is very important for me to pick warm-ups that will truly benefit my cast. I spend a good amount of time before each rehearsal planning what I want to accomplish and finding or creating exercises that will help my players. I expected much less from them, and I have been pleasantly surprised with the progress in rehearsal thus far. I only hope that it continues!

The Success Of The Players Personally Thus Far

Talman: Talman is always committed, and takes my direction to him light heartedly and willingly. I ask a lot of him and I give him a lot of leeway in creating who he wants, “Everyman” to be. I know that sometimes my direction to him can be a bit too vague, and I’m sure at times, confusing, but he seems to work with it well. Talman is not afraid to jump into things, and I am so grateful for that. There is a serious and a joking side of Talman that balances out well. Talman has been to every rehearsal called and shows a great enthusiasm. He has come a long, long way from when I worked with him as a fellow actor in the sparrow. I feel very comfortable with Talman, and him with me I believe, as well. Working with Talman is a pleasure and everyday is a successful one.

Shae: I knew from the start that Shae would be a tremendous addition to this cast, and I was right. She is committed and loves to jump into things with everything she has. I push her often to make the choices she makes bigger and bigger. She responds and exaggerates further and further every times. She takes direction extremely well. I can tell that this is important to her, which inspires me to do my best too. Shae makes me smile, always; both as a friend and as an actor in my play. She brings a strong level of leadership to the entire group and always leads by example. I know that Shae has had experience with this before which allows me to pick on her sometimes and let her start off exercises. This is a great asset to the group. Shae, having done lots of this work before, both in class with Joel and in shows, knows and brings new exercises to the table too! She has been very helpful to me as the director, and communicates well with some of the actors that I sometimes have trouble communicating with. I know that Shae will be truthful with me if I have questions for her about her opinion about this process. I’m so thankful to have her.

Brendan: When he commits himself, Brendan is always excited to bring new ideas to the table. He’s constantly asking good questions and making suggestions. This kind of contributing is very vital to this entire process. Brendan also is great at taking the lead in situations when people may be confused. He’s ready to step up and make something work. He also has a great enthusiasm when it comes to jumping to exercises and warm ups. He’s eager to get started! When we do improv games and I put them in one by one, I’ll often hear Brendan whispering to me saying “Put me in! Put me in!”

Brian: Brian often has trouble staying in the scene, but when he does so, I’m almost always impressed. Brian does extremely well with my side coaching and responds almost immediately. He has a very “real” quality about him when he acts. Brian plays two different characters one after another, and I’ve been working with him on differentiating between the two. At our last rehearsal I spit us into groups. I had Shae, Talman, and Brian working on one scene, and Brendan and Julia working on another. Brian worked well with his group and took great direction from Shae.

Julia: Julia is a blessing to have in this cast. She commits herself to everything and does whatever I ask immediately. I can tell she is excited about this. When some of the boys give me a hard time Julia has my back. She works well with others, and works hard. She is becoming better and better every rehearsal and wants to improve. She adjusts well from scene to scene and does a fantastic job of listening to her fellow players on stage. I am very proud of her, especially because this is her first time being in a show at all, let alone a show of this nature.