Last night was our last rehearsal in our rehearsal space. The next time we all meet as a cast, it will be in the actual theater where the performances will take place.
It's funny - I remember the first time I was in a play that had to rehearse somewhere other than the actual performance space. I was all kinds of annoyed at how inconvenient that was and worried that things would feel different once we got into the theater and irritated that we had to re-block things once we got in there. Since then, I've learned that doing storefront theater in Chicago, being able to rehearse in your performance space is more of a luxury than the norm, and really, you just have to deal with it. That's how the performance spaces keep shows going year-round, and how they are able to pay their rent. When one show closes, the next one moves in and opens. And this happens quickly because you rehearse elsewhere.
There are all kinds of things that can be done in a rehearsal space to try to make it as close to the performance space as possible, but it's never going to be the same as the actual performance space. You can put tape on the floor to denote the stage or stairs or other various levels. You can bring in rehearsal furniture and rehearsal costumes and rehearsal props so you're almost there. As an actor, these things are important because you start to kind of get the feel of things and you develop a sense of comfort and familiarity with the rehearsal space that allows you to grow and play and explore the script.
Last night was our last rehearsal in our rehearsal space. I did not expect it to be such a sad parting.
Yes, we are tired of having a wall in the middle of our "stage." Yes, we are tired of using the behemoth of a table instead of what our actual table will be. Yes, we would like to see what things look like when we have actual levels and when the stage entrance doorway is there. But I've grown to love that space. To love our taped-down stage markings. To enjoy taking that side-step to avoid slamming into the wall. In creating a comfortable space that allows us to play and grow and explore, we created a home. Last night, we had to say goodbye to that. We pulled up the tape from the floor, pushed the table and chairs back to their pre-rehearsal living spaces, and packed up our props to move to the performance space for tech on Sunday. I didn't think it was going to make me so sad, but walking down the hallway, leaving that building for the last time in our rehearsal process made me sad. I've had a great time there.
That's not to say there isn't a lot of fun still to be had. The show opens next weekend, so we still have a week of tech and a full performance run to get through. This project is not over by a long shot. We're just moving to the next phase of it. It's exciting and I can't wait to have an audience see it in all of it's glory. I just want to say a quick thank you and goodbye to the space that has been our home for the past five weeks. Thank you for helping us make this production amazing!
27 April 2012
02 April 2012
I've Got an Idea
I've been trying to go see more live theater. I'm an actor, I know lots of actors, so I should go see more live theater than I do, right? Try to stay current with what various companies and performers are doing so I'm more a part of the scene than a random, casual participant, right? It makes sense to me, anyway.
What I'm learning from seeing more live theater, though, is that I have very interesting or odd thoughts about the shows afterward. Things that your average viewer might not notice, and I don't know if that is because I'm going in to it with a different perspective (having done theater since I was four years old) or because I'm just plain odd, but it gave me an idea.
Please note: there is nothing about this idea that precludes my dream of being a full-time actor. This is an idea for a backup plan.
I would like to create a job for myself, and I would call it a freelance artistic consultant (or something to that effect). I would like to be the sort of person that theater companies call in at some point in the rehearsal process (when or how often is up to them) to watch the show and ask questions about it in the hopes of making the performance better.
Now, I know most theater companies have an artistic director, and I want to make it clear that I do not intend to step on anyone's toes. I also know that a lot of theaters invite critics or adjudicating boards to come see their productions for feedback, reviews, and in the hopes that it will inspire others to come see the show. That's not what I would do. I would hope to position myself within the theater community as an ally, another set of eyes to have on a show. I wouldn't be there to tear anyone down or destroy careers with a bad review. I would be the one to say, "That character's arc is unclear to me," or "I love the feel of the space, but that light is blinding everyone in section 12." That kind of thing. I would like to be just another set of eyes on a production - an outside, unaffiliated set of eyes - who might notice things that had otherwise been missed - and I would present my opinions very much in the form of, "I noticed this and you are welcome to take that if you want and run with it or tell me to go piss up a tree." My intention would always be to help.
I realize that a lot of theater types can get sensitive about this kind of thing, and can be sensitive about taking the opinion of a stranger into account when it comes to the creation of their art. But I know when I wrote and directed my own musical, it was helpful to have an outside set of eyes on things to let me know if the points I was trying to make were coming across clearly or not. I also know from writing and directing my own musical that after a while, you know the script so well as the director that if your actors are mumbling through certain parts or getting so quiet they can barely be heard, you start to fill in those blanks because you know what is supposed to be there so you might miss something seemingly minor. And wouldn't it be nice if someone said, "Great show, but I couldn't understand a word of what Character Z was saying in scene 6," before the show opened so that when the critics and adjudicating board members show up for opening night, they don't have to notice such things and can instead focus on how brilliant you all are?
I honestly don't know if this is the kind of service anyone would be interested in, what with egos and time considerations and the pressure of having an outsider view a non-finished performance. But I think if I could present myself as non-threatening, friendly, and genuinely wanting to help, I could be a great asset to the the theatrical community. I've been at script readings (early drafts of plays) and been able to provide valuable feedback to the playwrights, so I think my input could be useful in some instances. And since I'm an outsider, there would be no harm in telling me to buzz off because my ideas don't fit with the theme of the play. That's a perfectly acceptable response.
But I think I could be useful in this capacity. We all want to make great theater. I'd like to help out with that if I can.
To all of my theatrically inclined friends, if there was such a service available to you, would you want to take advantage of it, or do you think I'm off my rocker?
What I'm learning from seeing more live theater, though, is that I have very interesting or odd thoughts about the shows afterward. Things that your average viewer might not notice, and I don't know if that is because I'm going in to it with a different perspective (having done theater since I was four years old) or because I'm just plain odd, but it gave me an idea.
Please note: there is nothing about this idea that precludes my dream of being a full-time actor. This is an idea for a backup plan.
I would like to create a job for myself, and I would call it a freelance artistic consultant (or something to that effect). I would like to be the sort of person that theater companies call in at some point in the rehearsal process (when or how often is up to them) to watch the show and ask questions about it in the hopes of making the performance better.
Now, I know most theater companies have an artistic director, and I want to make it clear that I do not intend to step on anyone's toes. I also know that a lot of theaters invite critics or adjudicating boards to come see their productions for feedback, reviews, and in the hopes that it will inspire others to come see the show. That's not what I would do. I would hope to position myself within the theater community as an ally, another set of eyes to have on a show. I wouldn't be there to tear anyone down or destroy careers with a bad review. I would be the one to say, "That character's arc is unclear to me," or "I love the feel of the space, but that light is blinding everyone in section 12." That kind of thing. I would like to be just another set of eyes on a production - an outside, unaffiliated set of eyes - who might notice things that had otherwise been missed - and I would present my opinions very much in the form of, "I noticed this and you are welcome to take that if you want and run with it or tell me to go piss up a tree." My intention would always be to help.
I realize that a lot of theater types can get sensitive about this kind of thing, and can be sensitive about taking the opinion of a stranger into account when it comes to the creation of their art. But I know when I wrote and directed my own musical, it was helpful to have an outside set of eyes on things to let me know if the points I was trying to make were coming across clearly or not. I also know from writing and directing my own musical that after a while, you know the script so well as the director that if your actors are mumbling through certain parts or getting so quiet they can barely be heard, you start to fill in those blanks because you know what is supposed to be there so you might miss something seemingly minor. And wouldn't it be nice if someone said, "Great show, but I couldn't understand a word of what Character Z was saying in scene 6," before the show opened so that when the critics and adjudicating board members show up for opening night, they don't have to notice such things and can instead focus on how brilliant you all are?
I honestly don't know if this is the kind of service anyone would be interested in, what with egos and time considerations and the pressure of having an outsider view a non-finished performance. But I think if I could present myself as non-threatening, friendly, and genuinely wanting to help, I could be a great asset to the the theatrical community. I've been at script readings (early drafts of plays) and been able to provide valuable feedback to the playwrights, so I think my input could be useful in some instances. And since I'm an outsider, there would be no harm in telling me to buzz off because my ideas don't fit with the theme of the play. That's a perfectly acceptable response.
But I think I could be useful in this capacity. We all want to make great theater. I'd like to help out with that if I can.
To all of my theatrically inclined friends, if there was such a service available to you, would you want to take advantage of it, or do you think I'm off my rocker?
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