Humility

Today was tough.  Not that we had much to do, but because we had our first rehearsal.

We are doing a version of the Three Little Pigs.  I was cast as Sam, the smart pig who decides to build the house of bricks.  Now, usually, the rehearsal process begins with a "read through," but we begin with a "sit-down rehearsal."  We didn't get past 2 pages without stopping and working on things.  Our acting coach, a passionate middle-aged man from Jersey who ends every sentence with "that's some fucking true shit," is super supportive and encouraging, and also has this way of picking a person out and using them as an example throughout a rehearsal.  I was the example today.

It was tough.  At school, very rarely in a play rehearsal process do we have so much individual attention within the entire group.  I froze.  Became defensive; why wasn't everyone else getting notes like I was?  Why was he picking on me?  Then I came to the realization that his goal was not to scare me or to put me down, but to make me a better actor.  Not only just me a better actor, but through my bad habits, he explained to everyone why they don't work.

After three hours of our "sit-down rehearsal," we began staging (not blocking because our coach never wants us to be blocked from anything).  In an hour and a half, we got to the second page.  By this time, we had to call it quits.

It's amazing to watch the old Players (the ones who are finishing up their 3 months) read at the sit-down rehearsal.  It was like they have been rehearsing the play for weeks the very first time they said the words aloud.  Yesterday, we got to watch their show and the passion and commitment they put into everything they did and said on stage was remarkable.  Sometimes, actors look like they would rather being doing anything else than be in Children's Theatre, but not these guys.  It's like they wouldn't even entertain the idea of doing anything else.

We watched a rehearsal today for one of the mainstage shows, and it was instantly clear which actors were former Players.  Their focus and energy and the graciousness in which they received notes were like nothing I've ever seen before.  They are definitely something to aspire to.  I can't wait to see how much I will learn and grow in the next year.

Needless to say, I'm exhausted.  The focus I had to bring to that 4 1/2 rehearsal was grueling.  Until the next time...