It takes a village, people!

We're deep into rehearsals.

And our community is experiencing the process in different ways.

The principals are doing intense scene work.  In effort to create a tool box to help guide the organic blocking, each principal rehearsal starts with learning a different tool (via many modalities...right, Diamond?) to help add layers, discoveries, revels, and find truth in the material as they work.

The results, damn.  As hard as it is for me to be minimally directive, and leave them alone to find themselves in the scene, it yields some amazing results.  They have worked together, finding new and surprising truth (to all, myself included) in the material, which transforms the nature and tone of the show from a rock concert to a piece of theatre that is relevant, exciting, and challenges the audience into realizing that there is no day but today to celebrate life, AND no day but today to take responsibility, action, and mobilize.  Social issues are no longer invisible, swept under the rug, or silent.  The greatest of revolutions begin within individuals.

So far, the ensemble has been wood-shedding musically.  It is a poperetta, after all.  Tomorrow is all about the bells, bells, bells (thanks Mr. Poe) and I'm excited for days.  Getting this sequence on its feet is going to be an exciting afternoon.  Who knows what is gonna happen?! (LOVES)

Most importantly, tomorrow the process will be a shared experience.

I must acknowledge that without the incredible team and their amazing work, we wouldn't be where we are in the process.

Marty and Belinda.  The backbone; from the start, even prior to rehearsals.  Professional. Fearless. Educators. Heart. Insight. Brilliant.  I've said this before, but the sounds they are drawing from the community are unlike any other I've heard at Upstage.

Jenny, Suzy, Suzzen, Mimi, Gary, Jim, Angie.  The "different" production model (not the DLO norm) is working. It's golden.  These individuals make it work. Trust it. Make it happen. Bring fresh ideas to the table, AND accomplish them.  Talk about mobilization.

It takes a village, people.

Bluntly,
Brigadude

Better than...ice cream

Rehearsal was not what I expected last night.  LOVES.

Listening to the ensemble wood-shed for a solid 90 minutes, then listening to sounds I've never heard at Upstage...well it was better than...ice cream.

So, dripping with sweat, and a feeling of major progress - the ensemble was done for the night.  After hours of cleaning, reading, thinking, discussing, sharing, processing and singing (and singing and singing),  they needed time to chill.

I have to say, this is an invested cast.  Hardcore.  The bond I hoped for has grown into (this word is used a lot...because it's true) a community.  A community that can't be facilitated or fabricated.  This shit is authentic.

Check out the blogs (www.rent4change.com). The cast has started (and wants) to share their experiences. Take some time to check them out.  They're better than...ice cream.

So ensemble excused.  The  principals then started digging into their material.

I do concurrent rehearsals at this stage.  Every one's time is valuable.  No sitting around.  For those not working with the music directors, I paired up and had them do scene work on their own.

I'm a bit of a control freak, but allowing individuals (on their own) to work scenes organically after the hours of table work blew me away.  I would check-in with each group.  For example, checking in with Roger and Mark I did a little activity:

"Mary had a little lamb."

Who?
Mary.
What did Mary do?
Had a lamb.
What size?
Little.
So, Mary had a little lamb.
Yes, Jesse.

What were they saying? Anything? Is it getting lost in translation? Are the tunes helping to drive the story, or do they just want to sound like rock stars?

Maureen and Joanne went downstairs and outside.  When I checked in, they were on track. Take me or Leave me?  They stood far apart.  Then nose to nose.  Then organic.  I'm sure the neighbors loved it. Then as time ended , I had them do it again, walking up the huge staircase.  BOOM.

After years of summer stock blocking, I'm learning to let the cast find their own starting point, and just adding a tweak here and there to allow more freedom to explore. Be bold.  Make choices.  High stakes.

Letting go is a challenge, but heeding a-mah-zing results.  And while perhaps (ok, for sure) my control issues will change as we get the show on its feet, last night was better than...ice cream.

Bluntly,
Brigadude

The Veiw

I had a great view for the first sing through tonight.  Sat on top of a ladder.  Watched and studied.  Everyone.

The cast. The musical directors. The stage manager. The producer. The tech director.

All in mode.  On a Sunday afternoon.

The view was certainly church to me.  Every person putting their heart in every moment. Soaking it in.  A glimpse of what is yet to come.

Today was the first time I was able to witness the process.  Was every note or lyric perfect?  No.  Were their joyful moments?  Big time.

That's the spirit that connects me to a higher power.

Many laugh off my philosophy, and chalk it up to being a show queen.  Not so much.  The breath of freshness introduced in the anthem (read:  Seasons of Love) triggered memories of my grandparents.  Gave me hope for all the shit that's happening in my life.  The shit in life we all deal with.  All about perspective.

I never imagined I would request the music director to sing through THAT tune three times.  How cool to watch people take off personal masks and be honest.  Everyone, despite their circumstances, in the same room, going there.  

It was a great view.

Bluntly,
Brigadude

Circles

Circles.  They are powerful.  They provide a sense of safety and support conducive to listening and sharing.  It's been a crazy ass week.  Circles at rehearsals (wiki wiki wiki RENT)  provided opportunity to leave my shit at the door.  Meet myself in the present.  Breathe.

At the end of the night, we do a check-in round.  Each person expresses how they feel at that moment in one word.

"Hopeful."

"Enlightened."

"Excited."

"Ready."

I was totes on the same page (hopeful, enlightened, excited, ready).  The exact opposite frame of mind I walked into Upstage with.

Circles.  They are powerful.

Time to sing!

We've done quite a bit of table work, in fact that's all we've done for a week.

The cast (and myself) are still making connections as we flesh out the characters, the seasons, the understandings. The seasons. Oh! I said that already...I meant the seasons (hello act II).

We process at the end of each rehearsal, which has been my favorite part.  So many reactions, angles.  The ideas behind each revelation cast members bring to the table inform the characters. And the show. 

The discussions during breaks (don't they always happen then?) are fascinating.  I listen and hear.  And contribute of course, but mostly listen. 

"Time to sing!"

"This show is some powerful shit."

"Time to sing!"

"I tend to nod off a bit."

"Time to sing!"

Our table work finale ends Thursday, where we'll really get a chance to listen to the show!  I've never used this device (though not uncommon), but on Thursday, I'm going to have different individuals read different roles, not their own.  

After many hours of focusing on the story, what it means, making discoveries...listening to others read their role, adding a different perspective, will enhance the overall comprehension.  Yes, each character will be different.  But the theme and heart of the show will be illuminated.  

Plus, I think the cast will enjoy it.  Seriously.  It's non-threatening.  It changes things up.  And will transfer a lot of the discussion points into the show. 

"Will I lose my dignity?" was an audition side.  One music director said, "these are questions."  That brought honesty to the material, and the casting peeps fought back tears.  

This is a poperetta. Music drives the story.  Our grasp on the material allows the incredible music directors to dig deeper,  bring life to the show, and connect it to truth through music....as only they can.  Loves!

Yeah, Totes time to sing.

Bluntly,

Brigadude