Where We Are

Well, today we just had our final run-through before we fly across the Atlantic to the land of the Scots. Morale is high, the mood is good, and confidence is raging inside of us. Now that our departure is simply around the bend, this experience seems surreal. It's really happening, and we feel good. We've come a long way: the events barn, Union College black box stage, rehearsals in the Hub with some new faces, and now the Fringe Festival in Scotland. This is truly an experience of a lifetime. It's one thing to know in March that you are scheduled to perform in August of that same year overseas, but realizing it...it's exhilarating and humbling.
This proves true especially when I consider that, personally, (and even for the rest of the cast, I feel) this play has not lost it's ability to move us. After several months, I continue to find myself and my cast-mates: moved by Toledo's metaphorical "stew" speech, stunned to silence by Levee's traumatic childhood story, laughing at the Band's jokes, disgusted at Sturdyvant's manners, and shocked by August Wilson's poignant ending. Before we've even ventured across the pond, this is already proving to be an incredible experience. If that's the case, I can't begin to even imagine how wonderful the second half will be.

Discoveries

Yesterday was our first double-run-through day, and we worked out most of the technical issues of having a smaller set. The cast started to work more with testing what they will and won't be able to do in the new space. The first run felt really dialed back (perhaps because it was early morning), but the second was very energetic. A mix of the two energies, and an spirit of exploration, fueled today's rehearsals. As we get closer to the show date, the cast seems to be discovering a greater understanding of each individual moment onstage. Yet, the scariest and most invigorating part of all of this is that there are more epiphanies to come: some big and some small. No matter how hard we try to cure problems that we think may occur when we finally get to Scotland, we won't truly know all of what we need to do until we get there. Luckily, we won't stop learning and growing the until after our final performance.

Running

I wanted to entitle this blog post "Runs," but then I worried that it might give the wrong impression as to the topic of the post. As it is, none of our home-made group meals have made anyone sick so far, and we have just started intensively running the show.

We wake up in the morning. Show up to rehearsal. Eat snacks. Run the show.

Get notes. Eat lunch. Come back to rehearsal. Run the show.

Go home. Cook/eat group dinner. Prepare for tomorrow when we'll.... Run the show.

It may seem tedious to someone who isn't involved in the process, but doing a bunch of full run-throughs of the show really gives us an opportunity to work in a way that you just can't when you're stopping all the time to make adjustments and change blocking.

People are becoming more confident with their lines and blocking, and we're beginning to see the full picture emerge from this show. Characters are becoming more solid and (forgive me, every acting teacher I ever had) real. We're working on actually listening to one another and engaging ourselves in scenes. Soon we'll be running the show for an audience, and I know that if we keep improving at the rate that we have since returning only four days ago, that audience will be completely blown away.

Codenames

Mark got us sweet awesome Walkie Talkies to use when we're in Scotland so that we can communicate between the two flats. (We also have a designated person in each flat who has a European phone plan that we can contact in case of emergency, but in non-emergency cases, we'll save a few quid by using these).

Don't forget, however, that we are actors--and that as such, we may be a bit over-dramatic. In celebration of such over-dramatism, we decided to create codenames for ourselves. And the names are...(drumroll)

Gabe- Raging Bull

Sarah- Perspicacity

Kathryn- Purple Osprey

Ryan- Brass Tenner

Adam- Wizard Overlord

Mark- Special Dark Chocolate

Laura- Yellow Dolphin

Christian- Rev.

KB- Flying Witchdoctor

Higgy- Zombie Forgemaster

Isidro- Superman

Anthony- Mack Daddy Son

Ileana- Zelda Gnome Wrangler


Someone suggested character names, but I had to remind them that we aren't in Chicago 1927--We're in Edinburgh, Scotland 2010!!! Or at least we will be, and personally, I can't wait!

The 3rd of the 8th

How can we protect Ma and the crew from running into one another? Blocking, and boy that was fun!! We redid most of our blocking yesterday, and today we did a run through of the entire play.

To cut or not to cut was the name of this third day. An hour and 30 minutes is all that we have to touch some hearts and express the power of this play. We finished the deal at 1 hr and 26 minutes.
It is tough to get the show back in shape in just over a week, but we've been working hard since August the 1st. Believe me, its looking good and it is coming FAST.

The clock may be ticking but we ain't f-f-f-flipping!
We are going to S-s-s-stick it!

Ileana's Blog for the day! food and fun!

Today was quite the busy day. On the top of the list would be that today was my first 'stage' rehearsal with the rest on the cast. The play was re-blocked entirely... not that it would have affected me since I'm one of the new cast members. Another big thing that happened would be that we finally get to eat at one of our college's dinning halls! YAY for food!! ... but... it is only open for lunch... Booooo! So several of our cast members went grocery shopping and now all that food is sitting in my fridge... and no, I'm not gonna eat it... its safe. (tears*)
So, somehow during the day, it was decided that now we should all have a code name for when speaking on the walkie talkies. So far I've heard some interesting names and it seems that mine is now one that's somewhat inappropriate... which I totally don't mind.
After rehearsal, most of the group went over to Gabe's place. There we ate dinner, played games, some swam, and enjoyed each others' company while occasionally being serenaded. It seems that we may go back to his place for a small, coordinated house party this Thursday; and this time I'll remember to bring my swimsuit. [Thanks Gabe for being so hospitable!] After that, a group of us went back to campus, making a pit stop at Walmart. And now, I am in my room... tired... sleepy... and typing this blog entry.
I really enjoyed the great bonding we all did today and I can't wait to be in Edinburgh with everyone. The cast is such an amazing group of people; I know I will never forget these next couple of weeks that I get to share with them.

-Ileana Becerra

Rehearsals started today!!!!

Today all of the cast and crew came back to campus to start rehearsing before departing for Scotland on the 9th. To get back into the swing of things, we did a successful line-through. The timing was under 90 minutes, so it looks like we won't have to do any cutting! As the date draws nearer, things are getting more official. We even got a set of walkie talkies so we can communicate between the two flats!