"These pants should really come with directions."
What! Our director said this during notes last week. As sort of a back handed comment. But the more I thought about it the more I thought that pants should come with instructions. Who says that we should wear them with the zipper in front? We are taught that from an early age but what if we wanted to wear them backwards? Who would be there to stop us? NO ONE! But if we had instructions then it would be impossible to screw up. Wait, then you have the few people that don't read or follow directions. What then?!?! Oh, the world may end...
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
And the Reviews are in...
Recently a show that I am a part of was reviewed by a writer...and I don't fully agree with his perceptions of the show. As an ensemble member, I get to see a large portion of the show from the wings and from the production monitors in the dressing areas. And if I, having seen the show for the past 2 months in rehearsals, can still enjoy it and be captivated by the performers than he can get off his high horse and appreciate the work.
True the book itself has some inherent problems and the score lacks a few things but the actual performance that was given onstage has to be reviewed seperately from all of that. So at the outset, let us discuss a few problems with the Book... the show was originally adapted from a film and had to be scrubbed clean for American audiences Due to the changes the main character isn't afforded the usual character developments...she starts as a naive young woman and she ends as a naive young woman, if not slightly more empowered. The story progresses through vignettes or as a cut-away in movies, scenes melting from one into the other...the problem is that one scene is resolved before the audience is thrust into another. With little, if any, blackouts or scene change opportunities the viewer is unable to formulate thoughts of plausibilty and resolution...and therefore I believe are left wanting more from the scene than is given. The supporting roles are given very little time to create valid stories and connections with the title character. For example, the role of the "Owner" is given very little time in Act 1 to connect with the girls and with the title character, yet at the end of Act 2 is thrust into the limelight and expected to be able to emote with the ensemble. It is as if the writers could find no other way to culminate his work...so poof, magical ending!
But enough about the work itself...our actors, creative team, and crew have been working hard on this project and to allow some critic to come in and tell us how to do our job is ridiculous. I stand by our lead and our ensemble and ask that critic to stand up and show us what he has. You know that old saw, "Those who can't, teach" well perhaps it should be "Those who can't act, critique". When was the last time our critic was on a stage? On a creative team? Write a theater piece? Seems like the only thing he does is write about other peoples flaws!
I have been doing some thinking and decided that reviewers think that they need to be harsh...who wants to read something filled with sunshine and daffodils? Think about it, who is the most talked about judge on American Idol? Simon. Why? Because he is a jerk! No one would like him if he praised everyone... He builds up the tension with back handed remarks and then when he gives praise (often where it shouldn't be given) the crowd goes crazy and a star is born! Hmmm...could that be what our reviewer does? Puts one show down so that his next review can be perceived as a great show? Then again could he be 100% right and the shows he reviews actually are horrible?
But either way, we continue to do our job. We press on and go out each night and give it our best. And hope that the audiences will forgive the often weak story. Maybe they know better than the critic and will love the show for what it is...a great evening of theater.
I know I promised quotes from the rehearsal hall but this was more pressing. Six show weeks begin tomorrow...how exciting!!!
True the book itself has some inherent problems and the score lacks a few things but the actual performance that was given onstage has to be reviewed seperately from all of that. So at the outset, let us discuss a few problems with the Book... the show was originally adapted from a film and had to be scrubbed clean for American audiences Due to the changes the main character isn't afforded the usual character developments...she starts as a naive young woman and she ends as a naive young woman, if not slightly more empowered. The story progresses through vignettes or as a cut-away in movies, scenes melting from one into the other...the problem is that one scene is resolved before the audience is thrust into another. With little, if any, blackouts or scene change opportunities the viewer is unable to formulate thoughts of plausibilty and resolution...and therefore I believe are left wanting more from the scene than is given. The supporting roles are given very little time to create valid stories and connections with the title character. For example, the role of the "Owner" is given very little time in Act 1 to connect with the girls and with the title character, yet at the end of Act 2 is thrust into the limelight and expected to be able to emote with the ensemble. It is as if the writers could find no other way to culminate his work...so poof, magical ending!
But enough about the work itself...our actors, creative team, and crew have been working hard on this project and to allow some critic to come in and tell us how to do our job is ridiculous. I stand by our lead and our ensemble and ask that critic to stand up and show us what he has. You know that old saw, "Those who can't, teach" well perhaps it should be "Those who can't act, critique". When was the last time our critic was on a stage? On a creative team? Write a theater piece? Seems like the only thing he does is write about other peoples flaws!
I have been doing some thinking and decided that reviewers think that they need to be harsh...who wants to read something filled with sunshine and daffodils? Think about it, who is the most talked about judge on American Idol? Simon. Why? Because he is a jerk! No one would like him if he praised everyone... He builds up the tension with back handed remarks and then when he gives praise (often where it shouldn't be given) the crowd goes crazy and a star is born! Hmmm...could that be what our reviewer does? Puts one show down so that his next review can be perceived as a great show? Then again could he be 100% right and the shows he reviews actually are horrible?
But either way, we continue to do our job. We press on and go out each night and give it our best. And hope that the audiences will forgive the often weak story. Maybe they know better than the critic and will love the show for what it is...a great evening of theater.
I know I promised quotes from the rehearsal hall but this was more pressing. Six show weeks begin tomorrow...how exciting!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Time and Time again...
As actors we get to step into different stories and worlds and become someone completely different. It is one of the best experiences in the world. But often times we never leave those worlds or experiences behind when we leave the stage. I am currently in a production at a dinner theater and have made friends and gotten to know a lot of the cast. But there are just some actors that can't leave the drama on the stage.
We all feel that our tasks are the most important...our entrance, our lines, our blocking, and even our props... but without working as a team the show cannot go on. Our lead, Pam, is such an amazing person. Even though she has the lead in our production she is still down to earth, encouraging to the ensemble. Last night, after a particularly stressful Tech/Dress run she had great words of encouragement for myself and a two of my cast mates.
She said "We cannot expect for the show to ride on the shoulders of one or two people. I am not talking about myself but those people doing the scene changes. If they can't get it done in time or correctly, then it wont be right and we all look like we don't know what we are doing. We all need to step up and help out where ever possible, myself included."
Wow! What amazing words coming from the "Star" of our show. How I wish that everyone in our cast could have a tiny bit of the class that she has.
In a run as long as ours it becomes a challenge to not allow myself to fall into the habit of letting things bother me... allowing venting to become backbiting, creating drama offstage. Forgetting, essentially, that our job is to convey a story to our audience. Sure we may not get along with everyone, we may have conflicts with others, we may have a showmance but it is our job to be professional and to get the job done. One of my favorite AA slogans is: "Fake it til you make it!" We are actors...if we can't fake it, who can? So what if you don't like someone make it work.
Next time on Actor on the Verge: "Quotes from The Music Hall"
We all feel that our tasks are the most important...our entrance, our lines, our blocking, and even our props... but without working as a team the show cannot go on. Our lead, Pam, is such an amazing person. Even though she has the lead in our production she is still down to earth, encouraging to the ensemble. Last night, after a particularly stressful Tech/Dress run she had great words of encouragement for myself and a two of my cast mates.
She said "We cannot expect for the show to ride on the shoulders of one or two people. I am not talking about myself but those people doing the scene changes. If they can't get it done in time or correctly, then it wont be right and we all look like we don't know what we are doing. We all need to step up and help out where ever possible, myself included."
Wow! What amazing words coming from the "Star" of our show. How I wish that everyone in our cast could have a tiny bit of the class that she has.
In a run as long as ours it becomes a challenge to not allow myself to fall into the habit of letting things bother me... allowing venting to become backbiting, creating drama offstage. Forgetting, essentially, that our job is to convey a story to our audience. Sure we may not get along with everyone, we may have conflicts with others, we may have a showmance but it is our job to be professional and to get the job done. One of my favorite AA slogans is: "Fake it til you make it!" We are actors...if we can't fake it, who can? So what if you don't like someone make it work.
Next time on Actor on the Verge: "Quotes from The Music Hall"
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th
I am averaging one post a month. Yes!! Sorry it has been so long. This past couple of weeks have just been absolutely crazy. Between work, rehearsals, and family obligations I don't have any time for my friends. And even fewer hours to spend with myself. Unless you count my daily commute as "me time".
Rehearsals are going well. It is so great to be working with an ensemble who for the most part wants to be there. I wouldn't describe the sets as amazing. In that they aren't visually stunning. But how we work with the sets and how they morph to create a seamless show, becoming a bridge here, a platform there, nightstands, chairs, a carnival ride... and all, basically, in front of the audience. I don't think that there are any blackouts in the entire show, until the ends of the acts.
Last week was a super busy week for me. I got to direct a "reading" of an adaptation of a R&H show with young students. It was a great learning experience for me. The class "master teacher" and I wrote the adaptation and a medley to be used for the show. It was crazy. In three days, I had to give them their blocking, basic characterization, and actually teach them something along the way. All with only 45 minutes a day! Luckily, I had some TAs who would work with the campers in the evenings when they had fee time. The "cast" got to work an extra day and then the performance day, but I had to go on to my "brother's" wedding.
My "brother", Brian, got married this weekend. I was extremely honored to be among those that were in the wedding party. The festivities began on Thursday with the Bachelor and Bachelorette parties. And get the fun times rolling through the actual ceremony on Saturday. The reception was held at the Bride's childhood home and was phenom!!! Have you ever seen a movie with an outdoor wedding? It was like that. With lights strung through the trees, big bulbed lights strung across the reception, the dance floor perfectly centered off the staircase leading from the pool area, beautifully mild weather, no bugs. All the guests mingling. Seriously movie status!
Monday I go in for my first costume fitting... and the show opens in about 3 weeks! Can't wait... As we get closer to production, I am going to try to post more often...but we will see how that turns out.
Rehearsals are going well. It is so great to be working with an ensemble who for the most part wants to be there. I wouldn't describe the sets as amazing. In that they aren't visually stunning. But how we work with the sets and how they morph to create a seamless show, becoming a bridge here, a platform there, nightstands, chairs, a carnival ride... and all, basically, in front of the audience. I don't think that there are any blackouts in the entire show, until the ends of the acts.
Last week was a super busy week for me. I got to direct a "reading" of an adaptation of a R&H show with young students. It was a great learning experience for me. The class "master teacher" and I wrote the adaptation and a medley to be used for the show. It was crazy. In three days, I had to give them their blocking, basic characterization, and actually teach them something along the way. All with only 45 minutes a day! Luckily, I had some TAs who would work with the campers in the evenings when they had fee time. The "cast" got to work an extra day and then the performance day, but I had to go on to my "brother's" wedding.
My "brother", Brian, got married this weekend. I was extremely honored to be among those that were in the wedding party. The festivities began on Thursday with the Bachelor and Bachelorette parties. And get the fun times rolling through the actual ceremony on Saturday. The reception was held at the Bride's childhood home and was phenom!!! Have you ever seen a movie with an outdoor wedding? It was like that. With lights strung through the trees, big bulbed lights strung across the reception, the dance floor perfectly centered off the staircase leading from the pool area, beautifully mild weather, no bugs. All the guests mingling. Seriously movie status!
Monday I go in for my first costume fitting... and the show opens in about 3 weeks! Can't wait... As we get closer to production, I am going to try to post more often...but we will see how that turns out.
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