Character Development

This has been a VERY busy week of rehearsals. All lines are supposed to be memorized from here on out!!! I realized I haven’t had to memorize a substantial chunk of dialogue for a show since high school. That wasn’t too long ago, but still when you’re out of practice it’s a terrifying feat to accomplish. Fortunately, I got this brilliant idea from my former roommate when she was preparing for a lead role in Portland, OR. She used her garage band program on her Mac book to record her voice saying everyone else’s lines with pauses in the dialogue to recite her own. I did the same thing and it’s been a life-saver! I made myself a CD so that I can practice in my car. (I wonder if people think I’m crazy when they see me doing this – hopefully they assume I’m talking on my blue tooth or something.) I’ve really enjoyed practicing this way for a number of reasons: I don’t have to bother someone to run lines with me, I can practice on my own time, and I’m not only learning my cue lines (the line that’s said right before my line or entrance), but I’m getting a feel for the whole scene and practicing Peggy’s reactions to everything else that’s happening. For the most part, I survived this first week of “off book” (or lines memorized) rehearsals. Phew!!!

Acting is crazy when you really think about it. I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this because I don’t consider myself much of an actor. I’m sure this insecurity simply comes from a lack of acting experience on my part. Anyway, acting is crazy because you’re constantly mixing concrete elements with personal instinct. Let me explain what I mean with an example from a rehearsal this week. The director told me to say my line then exit the stage only to be stopped by another actor’s line. These are concrete elements – lines and blocking. BUT the line that was supposed to interrupt my exit was delivered late! I had no choice but to abandon the blocking and go with my instinct, which was to follow through with the exit. It’s not what was supposed to happen, but without that line, Peggy had no reason to stop and stay on stage. Fortunately, it was just rehearsal and we quickly fixed that from happening again. It’s at times like these that I’m conflicted! I want to do what I’ve been directed to do, but when something unexpected happens (i.e. a line is dropped), instinctually I want to do something else. Then, it’s so easy to start doubting what my instincts are telling me to do (i.e. following through with the exit). Suddenly, my mind is racing with questions like, “Am I doing the right thing?” That’s the worst, because when I’m acting and reacting in the moment as Peggy Sawyer, I don’t have time to listen to Sarah Hadley’s negative talk or doubts! Allowing that to go on only shifts my focus onto myself as opposed to my character. See how crazy this whole “being in character” thing is??? It’s WAY harder than I ever thought prior to this experience!

Though this internal conflict arises from time to time, I’m learning so much! This week: following direction is important but at the end of the day, the honest portrayal of my character takes priority. I’m growing as an actor thanks to our director, Brad Duffy. He is extremely knowledgeable, so if you have a question about your character’s reactions, blocking, line deliver, etc. he’ll have an answer. However, what is so special and unique to Brad’s directing style is that he won’t necessarily give you the answer. He’d rather let you take some time to discover and determine the answer for yourself. If your decision still doesn’t work or isn’t believable, then Brad will step in and give some assistance. What’s great about this approach to directing is that it bolsters confidence in each performer and in turn, awards a sense of ownership and pride in one’s work as an actor. For example, there have been several times where I’ve wanted to say, “Can you just tell me what Peggy should think about that?” or “Can you just say that line the way you want Peggy to say it?” but instead, I’m given the freedom to try it a few different ways – experiment – and come to a decision that I believe is true to Peggy Sawyer.

About a year ago, I made a huge discovery that I try to strive for each day: Don’t be so concerned about the finished product. Instead, try to soak up the experience of the process even if it’s messy and imperfect sometimes. This is exactly what I have to remember as I continue to grow through this rehearsal process!

Ready... set... TAP!

It happened: I officially developed my first blister due to 42^nd Street rehearsals. I figured it was inevitable - there’s SO much tap dancing in this musical and my feet are not used to being squished in my tap shoes for long periods of time. For example, the blister I’m currently nursing came about from a 4+ hour tap rehearsal this past Saturday! And that’s not the end of it! We’ll be having similar grueling rehearsals every Saturday! But hey, no pain no gain, right? Really, I have no place to complain. Though I play a lead role, my character isn’t featured in as many dance routines as those who are a part of the tap chorus. The real heroes are these dozen or so guys and gals that get to dazzle the crowd with song and dance multiple times throughout the show. What is so incredible is that for many of these performers, tap dancing is a fairly new endeavor. Now I know what you might be thinking: 1) “Well, if they’re beginners, it couldn’t be THAT impressive,” or 2), “Well, the show at the college last year was a “tap show.” I’ve seen that – don’t need to go see more of the same.” With all due respect, I’d like to enlighten you on how both of these conclusions are incorrect.

First of all, though tap dancing is new to some in the cast, you’d never know it! They have been working so hard, paying appropriate attention to details, and they seem to be having a blast! The result – IMPRESSIVE! I was sharing with all the tappers on Saturday that simply the number of performers tapping together on stage is a stunning sight to behold! Plus, they’re executing complicated and eye-pleasing tap combinations all together– WAY IMPRESSIVE. I can’t wait to capture a bit on video and let you take a peak!

Second of all, the tap choreography has been cleverly developed by our amazing choreographer, Lori Oestreich. Lori has put a lot of thought and energy into creatively implementing tap into so many musical numbers. Her skillful work has paid off – the audience will be wowed with the variety of steps, aesthetically pleasing formations, and fun props!

Last year’s play (Thoroughly Modern Millie) was definitely impressive! Watching those gals tap and sing “Forget About the Boy” rekindled my own interest in tap dancing. With that said, plan to be impressed, inspired, and thoroughly entertained as Grays Harbor College brings you another thrilling musical (filled with toe-tapping entertainment J) that will not disappoint!

Learning to Expect the Unexpected- That's Theater, Folks!

Live theater – there’s just nothing like it.  I was sharing with my boss the other day about how excited I am to start learning all the songs and dance routines that I’ll be a part of in this show, and his comment was, “it’s just in your blood.”  It’s true.  I’ve always loved performing, whether it’s participating in skits at church, swing dancing on a street corner, or voice recitals!  I have a special love for live theater because though the performers work so hard for a consistently flawless show each time they perform, there’s always the possibility for the unexpected – like an actor missing an important entrance or forgetting a crucial line, or in my experience – taking an unexpected flight through the air and into a set piece.

I’m not joking – I truly took a surprise, unplanned flight during Grays Harbor College’s production of Peter Pan 10 years ago.  The guys operating the flying equipment backstage accidentally pulled my line - causing me to fly out of bed, zip across the nursery, and land IN the window – instead of pulling Peter Pan’s line for his breath-taking entrance.  My accidental flight was also breathtaking… I can still hear the sold-out audience collectively gasp as I was flung halfway across the stage.  The crazy thing is that I pulled my foot out of the window, got up, improvised a little, went back to my bed, and moments later, Peter Pan came flying through the window like normal.  We went on as though nothing was wrong and to my shock and amazement, I heard from so many people that they didn’t really know about the glitch.  Bless their hearts – you would think that seeing me fly out of bed only to have the window break my fall would tip them off to the fact that something was wrong!  But because we moved on so quickly and started the scene over again with the orchestra playing and everything, the audience didn’t really have a clue.

That’s exactly what I love about theater.  It’s unpredictable!  Of course as actors, backstage crew, light technicians, and musicians, we work hard to give a perfect product that will simply entertain our audience with no distractions.  But things sometimes happen and that’s when our acting skills are really put to the test.  As I go into the beginning of the rehearsal process for 42^nd Street I anticipate great things from this talented cast.  I also am prepared for… anything!  Maybe not another unexpected flight across the stage, but whatever the hiccup might be, I’m convinced that this fine group of performers can creatively recover without our audience ever catching on!