Never Change
IT'S OPENING WEEK!!!!!!
We finally got into our first of three venues for Becky's New Car. What a beautiful space! It's been a long time since I've worked in a true proscenium-glad to be back....although sometimes it's real easy to forget about cheating out!
Over this process I've taken some notes at the back of my script. Observations of acting techniques, reminders for myself as a professional etc.... Some good. Some not so good. Some based on others. Some based on myself. And not surprisingly, they are all things I have heard or thought or have been told before. I guess some things never change!
- Being off book early does make a difference. One: You don't become that person who isn't ready by the time the show opens and Two: You get so much more time to play, explore, and cement.
- Your nonverbal cues are more important than verbals. Even as an person. Yawning, crossed arms, and sour faces tell the director, and your castmates, that you don't want to be there. Not cool.
- Sometimes its hard to establish the physical relationships with the other characters. I found that it was weird touching, hugging, kissing, or really any physical connection when I didn't know the person. It wasn't until 3/4ths of the way through the rehearsal process that I became comfortable and had bonded with him/her a little. That doesn't mean I shouldn't at least try in the beginning though.
- Directors speak in all languages. It's an actors job to translate. I remember reading this in Michael Shurtleff's Auditions, but not fully understanding. I understand now.
- If I don't understand or fully comprehend my lines, I can't memorize them. This is a personal observation, but an important on to keep in mind as I move from project to project.
- Sometimes it's hard to always "be in the moment". Again, a personal thing, but there were times that I wasn't paying attention offstage to others' performances, or wasn't always looking at my script and working ahead. It's especially easy with phones to just kind of zone out until you need to go onstage, do your thing, come back and sit down. Or even do personal work while offstage. And of course, that may be dependent on the environment, but I believe that when you are in rehearsal, you are at work and should treat it as such. Try not to be on the phone constantly, try to be attentive and supportive to other cast members, help each other, and just watch and learn. *preaching to myself*
- Age doesn't always mean wisdom, common sense, moral compasses, or professionalism. There are all kinds of people in the world.And while I should respect everyone for they are human beings and God's creation, I shouldn't demote myself because "they are older" or "have more experience".
Here's to a great opening!