May 10, 2008
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Fundamental Differences
Just as I predicted, there are beginning to be strains on the rest of the cast of Shrew because of the differences in the blocking between my performances of Petruchio and my counterpart's performances. I thoroughly empathize. I 'd be freaked if I was asked to accommodate. It's not so much that one way is right and one wrong; it's that they're different, and sometimes very different. Okay, I'm not being totally honest. Of course I think my way is truer or I wouldn't be doing it this way. When I say truer, I mean truer to the text and what I take to be the meaning. I assume my colleague feels the same. Still, I believe we will have a good show, if people will learn their lines! What is up with that? It's always the case; people wait forever to get off book and then they really can't focus on character development until the second week of the show. People. I am not a young man (at least compared to everyone else in the show save one or two). I am an extremely busy professional, I have a family, I have other obligations, and damned it all; if I can find time to learn the lines of one of the principals, then you can take the time and learn the lines! It is half past time for the director to kick ass and take names. Man!
One would never know, reading the posts for the past couple of months, that I am generally an extremely low maintenance actor. I think I've ever argued with a director perhaps twice in my life and both times the argument was resolved at the rehearsal in which the conflict arose. I have said it before and I'll reiterate; I am not a director, nor do I want to be one. I will however fill a vacuum when one appears. I strive to come to rehearsals on time, prepared and ready for feedback. I'm not used to competition in acting. I don't like it, I don't seek it. I don't present with an attitude and I don't direct my fellow actors. I want to act. I want to be a part of a community of people who share a vision that is put forth and maintained by a director. Sadly, this is lacking in this show. It's not that the director does not have a vision; it's that she is allowing herself to be drowned out, her vision subsumed. I emphatically do not dig it.
Comments (1)
Hang in there John.... I am sure your show will come together and yes there are actors that do wait until the very last minute to get it all together. This can be frustrating to others who are studying hard and taking their role seriously. Annie Warbucks was a success! The only problem was poor publicity. This show needed more of an audience. Most of the audiences were families and friends of the cast, no subscriber base and the location was in a out of the way area in Bordentown. If I work with this group again, I will definitely get involved in the publicity end of things as well.
Take care of yourself:)
Abby
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