Well, here we are, toward the end of the 44th season at Red Barn Theater. After opening 'Perfect Wedding' We jumped right into rehearsals for 'Putnam Spelling Bee'. What a joy it was to be done with those rehearsals for that CRAZY show. Its fun now with an audience and we've had some great audiences this first weekend. Adding about 15 minutes to the show holding for laughs was quite a surprise for me. But the laughter is so invigorating and boosting. The audiences have been right with us every night, ooooing and gasping and shouting out 'its her! its her!' or 'I love that girl'. I should keep a list of asides we've heard the audience say from our vantage point on the stage. So I'll admit it, its quite confidence boosting to have a crowd of people laugh at you and your work every night. Reaction is what I love about theater.
And I'm loving rehearsals for the musical! The director is very different from the last one I've had this summer, as he is much more hands on and vocal about what he wants. I'm thinking this is largely in part to his job: the local high school theater director. Yes, the stress level is uber high and the voice has given out a few nights now, but I am invigorated by a great story and a great comrade to ride this last show through: my character, Leaf Coneybear.
Its a part I didn't know I wanted until he said the words 'Jay as Leaf' and then I think I'm falling in love. Favorite character in a show thus far? Maybe so.
I have to admit though, it is still quite difficult. One of the latest remarks the director gave me about character is that I (Jay) have a lot of confidence. Leaf should have none. So I need to back off a bit. So this weekend I've been mulling over how best to have no confidence but still have presence on stage without being campy and overacting. Tips?
Life is good. I'm working hard and enjoying most moments here in Frankfort. I especially love it when people I know and love come out to visit/see a show (Doug and Mary, parents, Grandparents, Emily; it was good seeing all of you this weekend!). Now I'm off to memorize and review!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
keep on truckin'
Here it is, the morning after the opening of our third show of the summer, 'Perfect Wedding'. I have had little time the past few weeks to do anything but rehearse and memorize for this show, so I have had little time to read, and do other things that I enjoy doing.
That comes with the territory though I suppose.
I am in the midst of a terrible cold that has plagued me for the past week or two, and that has hindered my work quite greatly no matter how much I try to overcome it. Energy is low, projection is difficult, and it leaves me making frequent trips to the tissue box. But I can feel my body fighting it off, and the past few days I can tell I'm getting better.
But enough of that.
It seems like just yesterday when I got the script for the show we opened last night. I have discovered that the nightmares I have had in the past where I get the script for a show I have to do hours before it opens are almost truth in Summer Stock Theater. 8 days of rehearsal tends to have nightmare-ish qualities. But it is so refreshing to be able to present a hilarious show and get a big standing ovation at the end of all of it.
And then we start it all over again today with rehearsals for the musical.
I love my job.
That comes with the territory though I suppose.
I am in the midst of a terrible cold that has plagued me for the past week or two, and that has hindered my work quite greatly no matter how much I try to overcome it. Energy is low, projection is difficult, and it leaves me making frequent trips to the tissue box. But I can feel my body fighting it off, and the past few days I can tell I'm getting better.
But enough of that.
It seems like just yesterday when I got the script for the show we opened last night. I have discovered that the nightmares I have had in the past where I get the script for a show I have to do hours before it opens are almost truth in Summer Stock Theater. 8 days of rehearsal tends to have nightmare-ish qualities. But it is so refreshing to be able to present a hilarious show and get a big standing ovation at the end of all of it.
And then we start it all over again today with rehearsals for the musical.
I love my job.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
WHOA time flies
I think I realized this before, but this summer is going quick-like!
My last post was so long ago I haven't even talked about the second show of the season. After 'Fox on the Fairway' opened, we immediately started on rehearsals for 'Rabbit Hole'. I was on crew for that so I had no memorizing and no stage rehearsals, just building set. After the first show closed, we quickly tore down the old and set up the new, focused lights, held a few tech rehearsals, and jumped into opening night (2 days ago?).
Yesterday we started rehearsals for our 3rd show, 'Perfect Wedding'. I have a rather large part, which is exciting, but requires much memorizing. So that is my weekend. Sitting in my apartment, slogging through it page after page.
This character and script is MUCH more approachable for me than the last. I also have experienced this director before - so I have a feel for his style- which saves a lot of time figuring out what a director ultimately expects. Its going to be a great experience: I have a good part, my friends are in the show with me (the other guy is my roommate and fun to be around), and I'm ready to get back on stage again!
My last post was so long ago I haven't even talked about the second show of the season. After 'Fox on the Fairway' opened, we immediately started on rehearsals for 'Rabbit Hole'. I was on crew for that so I had no memorizing and no stage rehearsals, just building set. After the first show closed, we quickly tore down the old and set up the new, focused lights, held a few tech rehearsals, and jumped into opening night (2 days ago?).
Yesterday we started rehearsals for our 3rd show, 'Perfect Wedding'. I have a rather large part, which is exciting, but requires much memorizing. So that is my weekend. Sitting in my apartment, slogging through it page after page.
This character and script is MUCH more approachable for me than the last. I also have experienced this director before - so I have a feel for his style- which saves a lot of time figuring out what a director ultimately expects. Its going to be a great experience: I have a good part, my friends are in the show with me (the other guy is my roommate and fun to be around), and I'm ready to get back on stage again!
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