What a great evening! Just got home from a cast and crew potluck dinner--post-rehearsal! It was a blast to socialize, drink adult beverages and relax with this great community of people. We had a huge crew from the costume shop come about 1/2 way through our rehearsal of the Act 1 prologue--they were very appreciative, and I could see that Ian (our JVJ) was aware that it was a performance. He handled it beautifully; kept working, kept his focus and continued to drive through his actions and objectives. First time for our cast to see him work though this, too...
I made a short speech tonight about making this show a priority I know that we ALL we have stuff to do. We all have busy lives outside of the rehearsal space. I asked them to think about when they would be choosing to make it the number one priority, and when would other things go by the wayside for the sake of the show. This is the time in the rehearsal process when it seems that we will be rehearsing forever, and that we'll be joking and goofing for a long time...but it's going to go by so quickly! Making that decision now will make a huge difference to everyone in the company. It's a subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) shift in energy and intention. I'm going to bed early because I have a big rehearsal tomorrow, I'm going to re-schedule that business trip because that's a big rehearsal weekend. I won't do that then because it's a rehearsal night. Etc. I hope I made the point without pointing fingers, because that wasn't my intentioon. It's like a disease that spreads through a cast--I haven't missed a rehearsal, so I'll go away for the weekend or make another commitment for a rehearsal night. No one has a better reason or excuse to miss rehearsal than anyone else--and it almost feels disrespectful at this point to ask or plan to miss any rehearsals.
Alright--off the soapbox. You either get it or you don't.
Our prologue is coming along great...dynamic, vivid, energetic. Patrick's fight choreography is intense and interesting, and the sounds that the convicts are making is hair-raising! And the contrast between each small scene is beautiful. Small adjustments here and there--just to solidify decision points and people's reaction's to JVJ. I can't wait to start working larger chunks of things--I'm haven't yet been able to step back and see the whole picture. I'm still looking at individuals. It's coming, though!
We're doing more Barricade scenes this week, as well as having our weapons demo. A spcialist who does a lot re-enactments is coming to demo some period weapons and doing a "live" shoot. THAT will be really interesting for all of our Barricade boys! Cheri is also completing the actual Barricade in the shop--and it is looking fantastic. Patrick gave some input rergarding places for students to "die" and that really got her imagination going! Things are moving forward!
First some Downton Abbey...then to the Barricades!!
Kelly
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