Thursday, July 20, 2006
The Whole Gang's Here: Rehearsal Number Twenty-Six
Yes, it was another of those rare rehearsals where we had every member of the performing ensemble present! Was I in a dream!? We were back in the Fred Stone Theatre for the evening, and parking woes aside, it was a very productive evening. We had a chance to go over some tricky elements of the format and work on details. It was also great to just have us all in the same space at the same time. As we move into shows this weekend, there will be few opportunities for this in the near future... sadly. The last bugs in the show really need to work themselves out in production as they typically require the story and character details that only a run can provide. The show's in good shape though, and in many ways the company and format opens this year with more polish and gusto than it closed with last season. Can't wait to show our baby off...
It's been a busy week taking care of last minute little details, such as the gala, program, slide show, reserving seats for colleagues, working on the play schedule and the like. Early in the week, four of the company (Mark, Kate, Darren and I) joined John and Don of Radio Rickshaw for a podcast interview. (I'm still not sure if I actually know what that is!) It was a fun hour talking about all things FourPlay. You can check out the broadcast by visiting the Rickshaw boys at www.radiorickshaw.com or just click here to start enjoying it now. John (pictured on the left) has also been a huge help with our sound woes and helped broker some better microphone headsets for the run. Huge kudos to him!
I'm starting to get anxious/nervous/excited about the opening weekend. Improv is a strange beast in that you don't ever really get to "set" a show or "put it to bed". (Strictly speaking, you could say the same with scripted work, but there is a level of predictability that typically affords a certain amount of confidence.) Every night, we start the show with no idea of what that evening will hold in store for us. This is interestingly intoxicating and terrifying at the same time! I've often commented that actors experience no higher highs or lower lows than on the improv stage: I would add that this goes double for the long-form endeavor. At the end of the day, we have only our training and wits - and those of our onstage collaborators - to help us chart the unknown.
Why do we do this again?!?
I'll let you know after our opening...
Your slightly-sleepless-and-anticipatory Director, David C.
Yes, it was another of those rare rehearsals where we had every member of the performing ensemble present! Was I in a dream!? We were back in the Fred Stone Theatre for the evening, and parking woes aside, it was a very productive evening. We had a chance to go over some tricky elements of the format and work on details. It was also great to just have us all in the same space at the same time. As we move into shows this weekend, there will be few opportunities for this in the near future... sadly. The last bugs in the show really need to work themselves out in production as they typically require the story and character details that only a run can provide. The show's in good shape though, and in many ways the company and format opens this year with more polish and gusto than it closed with last season. Can't wait to show our baby off...
It's been a busy week taking care of last minute little details, such as the gala, program, slide show, reserving seats for colleagues, working on the play schedule and the like. Early in the week, four of the company (Mark, Kate, Darren and I) joined John and Don of Radio Rickshaw for a podcast interview. (I'm still not sure if I actually know what that is!) It was a fun hour talking about all things FourPlay. You can check out the broadcast by visiting the Rickshaw boys at www.radiorickshaw.com or just click here to start enjoying it now. John (pictured on the left) has also been a huge help with our sound woes and helped broker some better microphone headsets for the run. Huge kudos to him!I'm starting to get anxious/nervous/excited about the opening weekend. Improv is a strange beast in that you don't ever really get to "set" a show or "put it to bed". (Strictly speaking, you could say the same with scripted work, but there is a level of predictability that typically affords a certain amount of confidence.) Every night, we start the show with no idea of what that evening will hold in store for us. This is interestingly intoxicating and terrifying at the same time! I've often commented that actors experience no higher highs or lower lows than on the improv stage: I would add that this goes double for the long-form endeavor. At the end of the day, we have only our training and wits - and those of our onstage collaborators - to help us chart the unknown.
Why do we do this again?!?
I'll let you know after our opening...
Your slightly-sleepless-and-anticipatory Director, David C.
