Rehearsal Report--6/23

We had out first rehearsal at the performance space this evening.  And our first rehearsal with the children's ensemble.  Both were invigorating.

The performance space is a nearly 20 year old structure that was added for outdoor performances of all sorts when Mill Race Park was renovated in 1993.  It is one of those generic spaces that is designed to accomodate everyone, and therefore becomes a space that is suited for no one really.  It's the biggest stage in the area.  There is no wing space and no backstage space.  For theatrical productions, you have to create them.  Entrances come from left and right either up a hill or up a set of stairs.  There are "dressing rooms" underneath.  The space is open at all times and to all weathers.

It is magical.

Merry Wives will be Mill Race Players' 4th time using the space.  I directed two of the other productions held there, including A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1999.  Everyone is afraid to use the space--and I don't blame them.  But by the end of the rehearsal last night (chilly temperatures and strong winds included), I was so excited to be doing the show there.

There's is something undefinable about hearing theatre outside, delivered as it was originally created by the Greeks thousands of years ago.  Add in to that the immortal words of Shakespeare and some abled and giving actors, and a thrill runs through you.  It's makes your skin tingle with an electricity you feel only in your cells.  You can't help but get excited.

Add in to that we worked with the fairies for the first time and it was a great night.  I feel bad for wasting so many of the principal actors' time (for the first hour, most of them did little "work") as we played games to get to know the kids and went through their stuff a few times, but they were game and understood that it takes us all to make this happen.  I think the kids had a good time and they are excited about burning and more importantly pinching Flastaff.

After the kids left, we finished off the rest of that scene and then I stayed and got to work a bit of the Anne sequences--it was her first rehearsal.  I would have done more of her stuff but we were missing a prinicpal actor.  The actress playing Anne is great, if a little hesitant.  She wants to do good work, which is the best thing.  She is open to direction and has a great, giving face.  She is very receptive to the idea of Anne being a bit of a snot, and I like that.  Anything that pulls the role away from a stereotypical Juliet-type portrayl.

Issues raised:
--Holy cow, we're outside.  How will this work?
--What's Anne all about?

Prep for next time:
--Start putting the show together in scripted order.  Figure out the best way to use the principals' time.  A sense of flow is a must.
--Costume work.