Spike Heels

I did it. It's over. I have now been a director.

Yesterday was the day of truth when our scene was performed for the department. I am very proud of the work the girls did and I think it was a huge success. There were some awkward things like a drink being spilled and the audience laughing at points we did not expect. Also there is a lot of pressure in workshop to do it right since the scene is only performed once. In spite of the small slip-ups, they did a wonderful job and I could not have asked for better! I was also fortunate to have an extreme amount of time for my tech. The group before me had to finish early, so we pounced on the space and set up as soon as they left. That meant we were able to have everything set and ready to go at the time we were supposed to begin instead of fifteen minutes in. That meant that I was able to run the show twice, taking pictures during one run, work some problem areas, take some staged pictures, and get out early. That NEVER happens! The blessings of this were 1) we left feeling confident because we did not need our whole time 2) we left feeling refreshed because we were supposed to finish at midnight 3) I have plenty of pictures to share.

"I'm the big success story. I moved to Boston, I work in a law office and they have no idea what that means! It means I get to read books I don't understand."

"I'm sorry."

"I think you'd better finish your drink."

"He's the best man I've ever met and he's not good enough for them."

The beginning of the dance. Lydia feels awkward.

The end of the dance. Lydia has finally relaxed.

Don't Stop Me Now

Tonight we had the best rehearsal ever! Last night we had a strong run-thru then had to redo one moment many, many times which was wearying. This afternoon we had our dress rehearsal and I think both of the girls were tired (I know I was). The first run dragged without energy and felt strained. We reworked a few moments then I had my girls improv what happened directly before the scene and continue into the scene itself. The girls were slow at first (as was expected) but they soon got into the game and the scene started with a level of tension that we had never had before. They never lost their energy and tension through the shifting emotions of the scene. We were energized and confident and I know we will be satisfied no matter what happens on Friday because we have performed the scene at it's best. I am excited for workshop and so proud of my girls!

At the end of the scene there is a dance. We played with several different songs and styles of music, trying new things each night. We finally chose "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen which is a highly energizing and empowering song that is fun to dance to and describes the character of Georgie and also our work on the scene. "Don't stop us now, we're having such a good time, having a ball!"

Beginning Directing: You Must Call Me Sister!

In order to graduate with a theatre degree, you must take at least one semester of directing. Each director presents a scene in front of the entire department at Workshop. We are split up into groups so that about five scenes go up each Friday. The seniors (advanced directors) and grad directors also stage scenes, usually one scene at each end of the semester. I am in the beginning class and part of the Group 3 Clan, meaning that our rehearsal period started this Tuesday, October 7 and our scenes will be performed on October 24 (the next Workshop).

There are all sorts of parameters for these scenes, but for my class, we must take 5-7 minutes of a realistic play, using a scene that has only two characters. Our rehearsal period is two weeks (my group has longer because there is a random Friday holiday during our time - the actual number of rehearsals evens out) and we can rehearse an hour a day. Also, we must cast at least one freshman or transfer student.

My scene is from a play called Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck. It is about a low-class girl (Georgie) who tries to "make it." She moves to the city and meets a man (Andrew) in her apartment building who tries to help her by getting her a job at a law office and teaching her how to act in society. In his effort to help her, he winds up losing sight of her humanity. The scene takes place between Georgie and Andrew's fiancé (Lydia). Lydia has come barging into Georgie's apartment (this is the first time they meet) and degrades Georgie while accusing of having a fling with Andrew. Georgie retaliates and Lydia apologizes saying she was only upset because Andrew postponed their wedding. Lydia tries to leave, but Georgie convinces her to stay and they both lament the fact that the men in their lives can't help but be insensitive. The scene ends with them dancing as a way to unwind.

In The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, Jack says to Algernon that his fiancé and his niece will call each other sister within thirty minutes of meeting each other. Algernon responds, "Women only do that when they have call each other a lot of other things first." Later, we are given the opportunity to see the girls brutally fight each other over a misunderstanding, then when the truth is revealed they find comfort in each other and they must call each other sister for they share the same suffering. This is my favorite joke in that play, so I am thrilled that it matches the plot of my scene.

An awesome scene is all good and well, but directing is new, awkward, and intimidating. My blessing is that my girls are great to work with and I feel like we are making very good progress. I will probably give a couple more updates, and certainly an update (with pictures!) at the end. In the meantime, wish me luck in a theatrical way!