Wed 9/29, Th 9/30, F 10/1, and S 10/2
Staging Act II: Very different, womb-like, space that allows for play and the women having a real, palpable relationship with each other and explore what that means. We came into rehearsal and the stage was bare and the designer asked that it be our playground. So I asked each actress to take all the props and furniture pieces that were important to them in act one and strew them about the SR and SL platform. Then, we began staging by allowing Lee, Tess and Kaleigh to just improvise the story of Act II without using the actual text and discovering props in the space as needed. We did this for the portion of the show after "The Plot Thickens" to through the set up for "Afternoon Tea". I encouraged the icon to experience the surprise of the twists in the new stories and enjoy the freedom allowed by the not knowing what's happening. We, then decided each icon would be in charge of the set up and discovery of their individual story instead of being forced into it. This would be physicalized by moving the furniture necessary to create the tale. The fun and frolic translated into a renewed sense of investment in each other and the piece. Of course I had some strong pictures that needed to happen, but how to and from there, we created together. Just like the women created their ultimate destinies together.
Special joy and fun was had staging Afternoon Tea and Red Herrings ------- our tribute to traditional musical theatre staging and choreography!
We are in a slight redesign of the Press Machine to eliminate the clanking noises -love them but are overpowering the voices of the women. We also are combining the machine quality with more humanistic traits and endowing it with press acutrements - press hat, perhaps pad/pen, camera. We will introduce it as a character at the top of the show and them allow it to take its place on stage in the vom.
Stumbled through Act II! We are on the way! Next week is full of runs and refinement!
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