Finally in the Theater

Today was our first rehearsal in the Flex Theatre, where our show will be performed. We do not really have a set yet, even though today was supposed to be our load in day. We are still using acting blocks for place holders, but at least we have a lot of the props that we are going to actually be using for the show. Some directors say that props are just there to mess you up, but I think the complete opposite. One of the steps of justification in Adler technique is your relationship with the space and objects. Props are there to make you human and give you something to do. Now that we are in the space, with some of the props that they will be using, the girls started feeling the energy a little bit more. We only worked on Act I today. Since it is the first day back from the break, I figured that the first two rehearsals we would break up the Acts and focus on one and then the other. This way we could get used to the new spacing. Even though we taped out the directing studio, and the sizes have not changed, it always feels different being in a new space. We don’t have doors, so the girls just stomped on the ground for opening and closing the doors which was pretty comical. We put the mattress that we will be using on the acting blocks. However, the area of the acting blocks is greater than the area of the mattress, so there is some overhang of blocks that the mattress does not quite cover. This proved to be a problem when Francesca tried to do her back roll off the bed, she ended up landing her shin straight onto one of the blocks creating quite a nasty bruise and a scrape. Ryan patched her up and asked if she wanted to fill out an injury report. She claimed that she was fine and that it was no big deal, so we continued with the rehearsal. The first run through of Act I was slightly rough, but honestly, a lot better than I expected it to be. But they have always been pretty confident with Act I. They all admitted that they really had not gone over the lines during Thanksgiving break. And I am not surprised, it always reminds me of Ross’ line from F.R.I.E.N.D.S, “We were on a break!” Because, to be completely honest, I really did not get anything done that I wanted to get done either. I spent a lot of time working at The Bar since I have only been working a shift and half per week due to rehearsals the rest of the days. I needed to get a little bit caught up on hours so I can pay some bills. And on top of that, I spent a lot of time with Emily, she did not feel comfortable spending that much time at home, so she, Tom, and I had our own Thanksgiving at my apartment. It felt really good just to relax and not have to worry about anything. But in reality, we are in college, so when you are ‘relaxing’ you are just stressfully relaxing with the stress of all your assignments hanging over you. There was a tweet that I always laugh at that says, “In college you can fall asleep for 5 minutes and suddenly you are failing 11 classes, even though you are only taking 5.” With the amount of work that I have had to do this semester, I feel that on a spiritual level.