Updates & Labels

UPDATE: 1/16/07
RIDE THIS BEAST WITH US!
You can follow the evolution of our latest show TALE END from page to stage. Just click the Tale End label and through blog posts and the occasional video you'll get an insider's view of what happens. Think of it as a "Making Of" as it's happening.

Just follow the Labels below to where you want to go!

Final Touch

There comes a time in every rehearsal process when you have to get in front of an audience... we are now at that point. There are things that an audience brings to the show as a whole and the actors feel each audience out and the show evolves.

We are so close to that blissful beauty we've been aiming for and the audience will be the icing on the cake. H and I have played so much that we've turned this beast into a belle and now it's time for the ball.

H, M, ST... Rogue on my friends, Rogue on!

Ciao! ;-)

enough already

thank you, m, for the opportunity, the support and the joy of working with you
thank you, SM, for pushing all the right buttons
thank you, S, for being such a delight to share the space with
now enough of this rehearsal crap...let's do this thing!!!!

One more rehearsal to go...

... then we unleash this beast to the unsuspecting paying public.

Ya know... I think we may have a show!

from Marcel
Tonight was the second of three pick-up rehearsals before the premier at Rogue 2007. There were 2 runs tonight... both went well. The second better than the first but both engaged the audience (me) and I am happy and proud of my cast and crew.

A friend who has followed the process right here from the eastern seaboard commented to me that "this show of yours seems like a big love fest. Surely things have not been as good as you guys are blogging about!" The answer simply is ... yes... better actually. I don't think any of us blogging about it have really managed to capture half the essence or the "feel" of this particular project... at least within the work setting. When we decided to record the process our mutual agreement was that it would be "warts and all". Really, we haven't whitewashed a darn thing. No "difficult episodes","external dramas" or "flare-ups of frustration". (My own sense of karma almost buys into the notion that this was the payoff for the challenging write.)

Perhaps it's because everyone involved agreed from the start that we would all bring to the project without imposing on it. Allowing for experimentation within the context of the play. Yet allowing for sometimes broad and bold choices to present the possibility of veering into unthought of territory. Then exploring those choices as an ensemble of co-creators without the fear of failing. Because we grew to understand that not to try was the real failure. Then weaving those choices (we decided to keep) into the tapestry of the fabric that is this play.

Tonight for instance... we were all still discovering and "playing" with more options and choices. This is as it should be. The beats and transitions are sharper and overall it really seems like a different show than that was played for the previews. A more pointed one that seems deeper with more silky layers added. There were subtleties and nuances that emerged tonight that I had not been witness to before. A simple turn of the head. A flash of engagement. A slight beat between lines driven or supported with sharp intent. Nothing wasted... nothing empty. All these little touches just brings it closer to a beauty that is within grasp.

If this keeps going I think the performances during the festival will be definitely worth catching. The audience will get it's moneys worth and more. Not so much for the piece (yeah, the play is good) but more for the stellar performance of the cast. It's a cast that still likes playing the play and the time we spend at rehearsals just zipps by like a roadrunner in heat.

It is a joy... and that is something that I rarely admit to... but it is. I couldn't ask for a better and more creatively rewarding work experience than this one. Bottom line... the people I work with make it so. Now to just keep the push constant and become even more relentless on the marketing so we can get decent houses for the Rogue.

Pick Ups

Tonight we are getting back together to run our fabulous piece. I am very excited as I have missed this show. Pick up rehearsals are always a little rocky and tonight will be without exception I am sure. But with rehearsals scheduled leading up to our opening at the Rogue, I am not worried.

M has been hard at work putting together the Rogue website and if you are browsing there, stop by our show Tale End and leave a comment, review, kudos, or get info about our show times and location. :-)

See ya tonight!

Ciao!

thank you and thank you and thank you...

the previews are done and i have had a few days to rest and consider this last little excursion into the Craft. all in all i am content, amazed and inspired. content with my own work, amazed at what can be done when people are grown-ups and professionals, and inspired by those i have been working with.

that said, some thank yous are in order.

m...thank you for envisioning such a wonderful story, for writing hunter, and for trusting me with birthing him. the simplicity, grace and elegance you bring to the process is a lesson for us all...and the beer ain't bad either! with only ten rehearsals under our belts, we are ready to perform. most shows are still fumbling their way through blocking. when i least expect it, a new teacher appears. thank you.

s...you have been a dream to work with. your energy, willingness to explore, openness to new ideas, and dedication to bettering yourself as an actor are refreshing to say the least. they are everything anyone could want in a scene partner. i was there at your beginning and i cannot wait to see what your future holds. thank you.

sms...if this is what you're like 15 years out of the biz, i can only imagine how you'll rock once you get your groove back... you are a consumate professional, and a hell of a good guy to kick it with to boot. thank you.

our preview audiences...the honesty and sincerity of your feedback has been invaluable. equally, if not more, invaluable, has been the opportunity to make and develop new relationships (as well as deepen some already established.) thank you.

finally...but by no means least...l and mgirl and jboy...you are the reason for anything i do that is worthwhile and beautiful...and no mere thank you can ever begin to encompass that.

soon...rogue...a muse of fire...this flattering glass....

and the future?

something wonderful...

etonne-moi
g

Stand-by

The previews went so unbelievably well... I am completely over whelmed by the response. For those of you that took time out of your schedules to come see this, I am forever grateful! Thank you! For those that couldn't make it, do not let the Rogue pass you by...

H, M & ST... you guys have been such a great support I cannot begin to place words on how much I appreciate the support and the atmosphere you all have provided to allow me to explore and grow. You all helped me do what I am able to do on stage and there is nothing that can compare to the gifts you all have given me.

In this down time I am prepared to focus on the details. The precise emotions, motions and reactions that will tighten up this piece and help find the beauty it can truly become. I love this work and I love working on this piece! I love how it has challenged me and that is the standard that is now set for any role I go after from this point on. To be challenged as an actor and as a person and to be able to portray a character as a real life human being is the ultimate experience.

Thank you to all who have supported us along the way, and thank you to those who will come and support us at the Rogue!

Ciao!

Ms. Snow

well, hell...

yeah, so ok, it was kinda like that...you know...pretty wickedly fucked.

but the wonderful thing about coming back from something that's pretty wickedly fucked is...fucking it pretty wickedly...if you get my drift.

so that's the plan for tonight.

and i never did really figure out what kablooied us last night. all i know for certain is that S was right there with me and that, together, we played the show. blood, sweat, and all we rode the beast...and it was still pretty damned motherfuckerly!

'nuff said
H

A Plague on You Murphy!

I think I APJ passed along Murphy to the Turtle Dove Theater for last night's rehearsal.

Dialogue?? Ah, the playwright's a whack with all his wordy lines and pesky adjectives! Let's cut 5 pages is one quick motion! Whack! Ooops, sorry dude!

Yeah it was one of THOSE rehearsals. This is not a bad sign though. In every show I have done, there has been one completely horrible rehearsal and that's it. It's like the actors go through so much pain in how they are brutalizing the script that they fix the mistakes with a night of sleep and it never happens again.

I condensed two lines that caused the 5 page skip and yet H and I (we couldn't call line for the first time last night) pushed through it and actually got all the ideas across. H totally bailed me out on stage and for that I am forever grateful! Zonather showed up to rehearsal and wasn't completely mortified, actually he knew what these types of rehearsals are and I appreciate his humor.

We also shot some stuff for the next video. Yes we haven't forgotten about those and I can tell you one is coming for your viewing pleasure very soon! ;-)

Here's to the next step in the rehearsal process and to kicking Murphy in the butt!

Ciao!

To Rehearse or Not To Rehearse...

That was the question after last night's first run. You know, it's amazing to me that when H and I come into rehearsal each night, there is nothing lost from the night before. We've had our warm up runs, but there was something different about last night. It's a lot like when we leave the rehearsal space we leave our work and characters there. But, when we return it's like the favorite sweater or well worn hat, it's still there and just the way we left it. Ms. Snow stays on stage and when I return to her she and I meld instantly and there's a lot of room to build and grow. She's taking me on this ride and it's a lot of fun.

Last night was the wine rehearsal and the mood was focused. I kept in my mind the thought of being precise. There are so many twists and turns that if my actions and reactions are not crisp, there's something lost. Now, in saying that there is a line to be drawn. I cannot lock myself into looking a certain way, acting a certain way or even move in a certain way. That was a part of the discovery last night. The nice thing about NOT having blocking is that H and I aren't locked into a position on stage. There is the automatic atmosphere to play and really make it our own. I love that he still throws something new at me while in rehearsal!

I really feel like we have a show that is performance caliber and I am very excited to have the previews next weekend.

But for now... I'm celebrating this weekend!

Ciao!

Ms. Snow

The blessing and curse...

from Marcel
... in what I do and how I do it... is that I've never followed convention. I have never looked at it as good or bad... but merely as how I do it.

Weather it is in the writing or directing... the piece created is what I would pay to see onstage. Sure, I steal from a lot of sources. I would be a delusional idiot if I thought that everything that I do hasn't been done before. (Afterall, there are only 36 plots and subsets thereof that really exist in the entire world.) It's the spin now that makes it original. My peers may take umbrage to what I do and how it's done. But that's them and I'm me. I can only stay true to me... warts and all.

I value opinion... in as much as it is that. Though I have found that opinion in my field is almost always dictated by "conventional wisdom"... that only became convention from whence it was once radical and dared the same-old to be otherwise. This, I have found especially so with those who have known me (and my work) for a while. I love being challenged... though sometimes their regard (or disregard) of my work can be suspect. There are times I have to wonder about the motivations behind their opinions. I am never arrogant enough to think that an opinion given is totally moot.

Yet, there is a part of me that almost wants to disregard opinions given by peers who are practitioners in this craft. That in form, content or execution... the journey crafted took them to an unexpected country... and they rail simply because it's not what they would have done... or where they would have gone. But they did not create the path or the destination... we did. No, I'm not Neil Simon or Shakespeare... nor do I pretend to be. The paths and destinations they created are theirs... this is ours... and I'm quite happy of that being so.

We've Reached the Hump

as it's rehearsal #6 and there are only 4 rehearsals left. Eeep!

This show continues to surprise me in that there are new things to be discovered. New actions and reactions to be found. H and I are continuing to develop and there are a lot of discoveries along the way. This path has taken us down a journey that only we can define...

I love this show. I have never had a show where I can completely just be and not worry about the director telling me that I am wrong. That is so refreshing. Luckily I am not finding different paths, but instead finding depths in the path that I never knew could exist. I can over play, and then I can emote with control and that's the line I am finding now.

With these words and I finding new reactions with what H is throwing at me. I love the dynamic he is bringing and I am finding that I have the strength to rise to it, rise to the challenge he brings... I can only hope I am throwing as much back, and I think I am. It's definitely time to play!

For those that are going to be an audience member... get ready for a ride!

Happy Trails!

Ms. Snow

We had guests at rehearsals last night...

... and the show is beginning to cook. I dare say that many who practice this game in town would even say that last night's rehearsal was performance worthy. Those of us riding this particular beast are not willing to leave it at that. I'm confident enough (having worked with these stellar actors thus far) to say that we are collectively striving for more... much more.

Our guests were impressed, entertained and totally sucked into the piece. Their reactions were sought right after and they gave them freely. One was blown away to find out that this was only rehearsal number 5. To our guests... a big hearty Thank You!

There is a thing of beauty within our grasp... and right now we are pointed in that direction. (Hey, the sick and wrong can be a thing of beauty...really.) Two more rehearsal nights this week. Then, we prep for previews with an invited audience on the 26th & the 27th.

Cheers!

WOW!!!

Wow! I have to say it again!

Tonight was amazing! Our first run through "off book" was a little rocky, but that's par for the course. Once lines become more fluid, movement becomes more natural and props/costumes added in allows for a batter rehearsal.

Our first audience tonight added that extra element to make the process that much more real! I am so happy to have the input and the laughs and the reaction to our show. This is such a good piece and I really love this show! Thank you to those that came to help us play!

H: You are amazing! I love watching you play and I am amazed by the layers you are bringing to this role!

M: You are my mentor and my inspiration! Thank you for writing this show and sitting through my butchering. I will get your words right!

I have found her passion, I have found her soul... now it's time for her to play!!!

XOXO,

Ms. Snow

Hunter's View

ahhhhhh....so sweet when it begins to thrum and hum and clickety-clack like a pandemonium carnival train running long after midnight. S is starting to have some fun now and play the play. the prophet seems pleased...he should be...his words are tasty.

it may just be...Wonderful.

and to everyone who was there tonight and gave of their thoughts: i thank you, i thank you, i thank you.

OK... the rewrites work.

from Marcel
I was pleased with the results. A flow has been re-established in the play. Cutting, rearranging and just plain rewriting the last 7 pages makes it a better show. Now that fucking playwright can just stay out of our way and allow us to breathe some life into this piece of shit that he hacked. From this point on... he is to be interned in the gulag while the real work goes on.

Rehearsals went well too. It was the first run off book and the troops handled it well despite the frigid temperatures in the rehearsal space. We really need to get another heater in there. Yeah, it was a little bumpy... but first runs are supposed to be. Bear in mind that we are also not working with a stage manager or even someone on book. This cheap ass, commie operation won't even spring for the basics. But we forged ahead undaunted by the limitations.

S even tried doing it with certain costume elements... as flimsy as they were. Got to hand it to that girl... she goes for the gusto. At one point... we had to insist she put some clothes back on as the little that she wore was shimmying with her shivers. H, too was throwing some new readings and nuances into the creative pool we were swimming in. Thus giving his character a bit more of a "journey" in the play. There are still miles to go before we sleep... but these travel companions are adventurous and that makes for a delightful ride.

My main computer is hiccuping at the moment... so accompanying pictures will have to wait.

Cheers!

Throw that bloody idiot hack out!

... from Marcel

A re-write now? Yes. It's only the first week of rehearsal... and the last seven pages needs one. It's klunky. I'm not proud... I'll admit that.

It took S & H romping on stage Wednesday night for it to be clear to me just how klunky. It wants to flow but there are barby hurdles in the way. I suspected it when I read it. But I wanted to see it up and moving to determine exactly how to proceed with it. Some of it will be compressed. Some rearranged . Some (probably 2 whole pages) just goes out the bloody window.

This is one of the reasons I never fall in love with my own work in development. You just have to be that way (brutal) when you decide to wear the different hats of playwright and director. And as a playwright let me tell you... if you are in a production and if anyone (especially the director) spurts the (pretentious) line about "... being true to the playwright" or "being true to the intent of the playwright"... know that the person is full of shit and know that you are in one boring ass production.

It's the work... the piece... the play that is paramount here. It HAS to come alive on stage and connect. Fuck the (so called) playwright's intention! That's only a big wanker guessing game... a lame excuse to show off in the area of Drama Lit, etc. Besides, any "intent" should already be in the structure of the play itself... it doesn't exist beyond what is on the page. Be true to the play! If the piece is any good it will stand up on it's own... jump off the page and (hopefully in rehearsal and production) explode on stage.

OK... enough. I promised my stellar cast re-writes before the next rehearsal (on Monday)... so, a hacking I will go. Then we can finally throw that bloody idiot hack out!

BTW... if you haven't been here lately or this is your first time... click the archives or the labels to catch up... espcially on the Skypecast of the rehearsal.

The Skypecast... HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

... but we are keeping the picture up because it looks so damn... er... suggestive.

UPDATE: 1/13/07
Due to too many glitches in the system we were going to use to webcast the rehearsal we have decided to cancel the event! We will however be posting a NEW Video soon!

Hunter's View

well, we've finished the first week of rehearsal and i have to say that i'm very impressed. the script is tight and as full of yummies as i originally thought, the prophet is an absolute delight, and ms. snow is kicking some serious ass. and speaking thereof, i love an actor who does her homework!!!!

it's such a treat to share a space with people who are committed to the work, who are committed to creating an atmosphere conducive to the work, and who are committed to creating the best work that we can. we all blah blah blah talk about it...we're doing it. thank you, thank you, and a third time, thank you.

the soup is pretty damned good, too. and the absinthe...well...what can you really say?

i'm eager to see what the next week will bring. if we've started this strongly...well...let's just say that it feels...in a word...Wonderful.

etonne-moi
h

For the 4 of you who come here...

... chances are good that we will Skypecast a portion of a rehearsal next week. Details to come.

No Blocking???

We don't need no stinkin' blocking!!!!!

In all of the shows I have worked on, the director has had a specific idea of where each character should be and when. Usually in the first week of rehearsal I was scribbling down { X US chair } or { DS X to US couch } in the margins of my script. After looking back at my old scripts there are a lot of scribbles and notes on blocking or character and it looks very jumbled and messy.

I look at my script for "Tale End" and all I see are my notes on the lines or character. There is no blocking, and I love it!

Night 2 of rehearsals commenced and all the work we did on night 1 was still there (THANK GOD I DIDN'T FORGET!!!) and the mood was set to move on. We plowed through the next 20 pages of dialogue and covered some major ground (and I mean MAJOR!). The nice thing about not being stuck to a specific path is that we could allow the words to prompt out movement. The hard thing is standing still and playing the tough choices.

This show has some very obvious character choices, and then there's the temptation to play the obvious because it feels safer. This is not a safe show and I am challenged to stand my ground and play the tough choices. I am looking forward to the challenge!

Thank you M for a wonderful script and for holding the whip and cracking it at me when I want to play it safe.

H: Thank you for working with me again! I continue to learn so much from you and I love seeing the work you are bringing to this role! This is an awesome show and you are perfectly cast!

Ms. Snow

OK, last night's rehearsal...

... gave me a boner.

That's all I'm going to say about that.

...from Marcel

Rehearsal Night 1

from Marcel

Actors turning up on time... I like that. Just sets the right tone to things. Everyone is happy. Everyone is relaxed. Perfect conditions to create in.

A half hour before they arrived I spent clearing up the space. There was a table with lighting instruments sitting in the middle of the floor that just had to go... and the propane heater to fire up. Our rehearsal space (aka my garage) can be fucking cold on nights like these.

First rehearsals are always a little awkward and anxious affairs. It's natural and perfectly normal. Even for the director.

Noticed I said director? Yeah, a little of the playwright is still hanging around... only till the end of this week. Only until the rewrites that we are determining together are solidified. After that... we throw that hack out. Then it's time to really brutalize the piece... and I've been known to be a real bastard with my own work.

We started with the first 20 odd pages of the script. Ran through it about 4 times in the span of 2 hours... trying this and that along the way. By the second run... something was starting to show. Nothing to nail down yet... but I think we are discovering some material together that we can start to build on.

Night 2 tomorrow. I think we had a bloody good start though. Thanks R & G... you are certainly making this a fun ride on the beast.

Rehearsals begin today!

from Marcel...

It's finally here... the next leg to this journey. At 6 PM the actors will gather. The propane heater will be fired up and the piece will begin to be fleshed out.

The Schedule
The difference this time (from a normal show) is that I've elected to base rewrites on the actors input... for this week only. Besides, we only have a 3 week rehearsal period. That will be followed by a couple of previews for a small invited audience on the 26th and 27th. This will give the piece time to adjust and smooth out any rough spots before premiering at Rogue 2007.

On Working Fast
I like working fast even with a brand new piece. It provides the actors with enough time to become confident with what they are doing yet leaves enough room for spontaneous combustion in performance on stage. Being well rehearsed does not mean having the life of the piece being beaten out of the performers.

On Following This Journey
Also, from this point on, posts over here will not be as sparse as they have been. Expect a new post at least every other day. Yes, it will feature warts and all.

Cheers!