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Monday, June 11, 2007

Crunch time: the last few days before opening my next show!

We only have a few more days before our first preview (Thursday) and this is what I call 'crunch time': when everything you haven't worked on, over the past few weeks, has to be crammed into a few days, with never enough time to get it all done. And that includes trying to remember your lines! This has been particularly challenging, as we continue to get script cuts and changes (though admittedly, many have been my suggestions), but it's as difficult to un-memorize lines as it is to memorize them, at least the older one gets. The same goes for the blocking (the movement on stage) which also keeps changing. The director has a reputation for last minutes changes (even up until and including opening night) so, the next few days should prove quite harrowing. If we don't all kill each other, it will be a miracle.

We had our first tech rehearsal on Sunday (where you put all the technical elements together-lights, sound, costumes) and, unfortunately, it took longer than anticipated. In fact, we barely got through, even with an hour of overtime, and never got to work in costumes, which should prove interesting considering some of the actors have quite a few, and we've no idea if we will have time for those quick changes. And we've never actually run the play without stopping. Though that's not uncommon, it's by no means ideal! On several past productions, our first preview was our first runthrough (as we call it). A rather frightening situation and not something we relish. Not sure what will happen this time, but I'm girding myself for beaucoup stress. Tempers are already flaring.

It's been an interesting ride. I've worked on new plays before, but never actively participated in re-shaping one. We really needed more rehearsal time, but I'm happy to say, I was able to cut and change most of the dialogue that I initially had problems with, and the director and playwright (and some of the other actors) made other cuts that have made the play more palatable, but it's still problematic and I still have no fondness for the project, but at least I don't hate it as much as I did. What the audience will think of it and what the critics will say, is another story.

So, my blogging might be a little skimpy for the next few days.

Off to work on lines. Gulp!

12 comments:

WomanHonorThyself said...

how cool u are!..woohoo I know an actress!...lmbo!

Frasier said...

Thats a lot of hard work!We love to go to the Fox to watch plays and everything is so effortless,I guess I never realised how much hard work goes into it!
Have you seen"Bollywood Dreams" ?

Dionne said...

Fascinating stuff, good luck tackling it all!! I'm sure you'll knock'em dead :-)!!

Pat Jenkins said...

have you said what part you are playing? if not i can understand why you may want to keep that incongnito. i wish you the utmost success and look for a tony award in your near future!!!

Blazingcatfur said...

Best wishes for a successful run and critical approbation all round!

T said...

Brake a leg, darlin'...

lizze said...

*d'oh* t took the word out my mouth :)

Break a leg ;)

I am traveling the week ahead but I will catch up with your blog when I am back.

Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poet said...

Fracture a femur - er, break a leg!

Incognito said...

Thank you my dear bloggie friends!!... I need all the break-a-legs that I can get. I so appreciate your good wishes.
It was another challenging day!

No Frasy, haven't seen Bollywood Dreams, but I have to admit I love the Indian music videos! :-)

It's a new play Pat, so you wouldn't know.. but it's based on a historical figure.

I'm just startin' the prayers that we're not skewered in the papers, like we probably will be.. but...

off to go over lines.. forgive me is I don't get a chance to visit too many of your blogs for a few more days.

Missy said...

Incog-you just take care of those lines - we'll deal with the blogging for a few days. I know you'll be great in your play! Break a leg! :) LOL

Frank Partisan said...

I found this blog at Bob's from Brockley.

I don' think anything matches the anxiety of stage fright.

I'm not a Democrat, still you don't want to be a Republican. They probably won't exist in the next few years.

Incognito said...

Hi Renegade,

I enjoy Bob's blog.

ANd you are absolutely right, nothing matches it. Unfortunately, it came upon me a few years ago and doesn't want to let go.

Thanks for the advice. :-) We shall see what happens.