House-cleaning

A couple of things that I haven't posted but should have earlier: below is the final rehearsal schedule, broken up by phases. I will also include last rehearsal's agenda.

Phase I: Setting Dynamics – we will use this phase to begin experimenting with forms of performance and setting individual dynamics between actors/movers. We will also use this time to get to know one another, how we work, and what we like to do onstage.

9/23 - 7-10

9/25 - 1-4

9/28 - 7:30-9:30

10/2 - 1-4

10/5 – 7.30-10

Phase II: Formation of an Arc – this phase will be dedicated to taking our pre-existing improvisational work and finding a story to portray for the final performance. We will be recounting our past work and looking for common motifs throughout – what did we keep coming back to, to work with? October 12^th’s rehearsal will mark our major discussion about where our story will go.

10/12 – 1:30-4

10/16 - 1-4

10/20 – 6-9

10/23 - 1-4

10/27 - 6-10

10/30 - 1-3

Phase III: Edits and Explorations – with a set story, we will now go back into our phase I and II work and re-pull out motifs we first recognized – are they still present in the piece? Do we want them to be? This will be the phase in which we finally settle into a final piece, but take this time to add in final important details and changes.

11/1 – 6-8:30

11/3 - 6-10

11/6 - 1-4

11/8 - 4-6

11/10 - 5-7

11/13 - 1-5

11/15 - 5:30-9

Phase IV: Polishing the Piece – during this final phase we will be tweaking our existing piece/script/choreography. We may further clarify character behavior and transitions as well. Actors/movers: take this as an opportunity to add depth to your existing character – use this time as further exploration.

11/17 - 4-10

11/20 - 12-4

11/21 - 6-8

11/29 - 6-10

11/30 - 7:30-10

12/1 - 4-10

12/4 - 2-6

12/5 - 12:30-6:30

12/6 - 7-11 12/7 - 6:30-11 (Tech)

12/8 - 6:30-11 (Tech)

12/9 - 6:30-11 (Tech)

12/10 - 6-10 (Performance)

12/11 - 6/10 (Performance)

Directorial Approach: I am a director that truly likes to work collaboratively – as long as the word “collaboration” is defined by the entire production team before the process begins. I say this because, oftentimes, theater makers consider and use the word “collaborate” meaning different things, which in turn, creates problems down the road when someone’s idea is vetoed. When I use “collaborate”, I mean to say “creating a space where everyone’s ideas are given and considered, with final decisions (all of which are made in service to the performance piece) being made by a individual (in this case, me, the director).”

I want my performers to be able to take ownership over the process and the product, to feel like their individual talents are heard and represented, but that the piece is still focused by a bottleneck effect. Therefore, my directing style weighs heavily both on improvisation and conversation. I also like to pull in personal experience into my rehearsal process – I feel like being able to find a comparison between real life and the art we are creating strengthens its meaning.