Things are coming together more and more. We had two run throughs yesterday and we've got two more tomorrow. It's not easy doing two in one day. I was mighty feisty for the first one and all of us played a lot. I used most of my energy on the first run, and by the second time around I needed a nap.
For some reason, this play makes me hungry. I start off the play moderately well fed, but by the middle to end of the play, I get hypoglycemic and hungry!
I hope I find a dress for tomorrow when I try things on. I heard Eric spent two days shopping just for me.
Word on the moment I was talking about when Christian dies--it's getting a bit better every time I do it.
Finally I will leave with name meanings I looked up which are quite fitting for all of us:
Cyrano: shy heart.
Roxane: star; bright; dawn
Christian: follower of Christ.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Cyrano - Roxane, the Mute
We open in 5 days. Tad nervous about it.
today was our first day performing in front of our audience of 3 during rehearsal. It was one awkward piece of theatre. I was Roxane, the mute, during half of Act 1, since I have only one line in the beginning of the show and am quiet until my cameo as Duenna---Let me tell ya, it doesn't feel good to be a mute.
Isn't the first stage of accepting death denial? I need to look this up. The moment when I find out about Christian's death is troubling me.
today was our first day performing in front of our audience of 3 during rehearsal. It was one awkward piece of theatre. I was Roxane, the mute, during half of Act 1, since I have only one line in the beginning of the show and am quiet until my cameo as Duenna---Let me tell ya, it doesn't feel good to be a mute.
Isn't the first stage of accepting death denial? I need to look this up. The moment when I find out about Christian's death is troubling me.
Pieces
Tuesday was the first day of rehearsals. In the afternoon, after our meet and greet, the cast and crew for both plays settled in for a joint rehearsal. Stacy read My Name is Rachel Corrie and I read Pieces. Hearing the two plays back to back with all of us in the room was astounding and intense. I felt myself want to sink into a deep despair. The Middle East and despair are not foreign concepts to me, not on a personal level nor on a political one. Sitting there, however, listening to the riveting Stacy Fischer read Rachel's words, it occurred to me there is real value in all of this. I'm not trying to fool myself into thinking that the theatre can single handedly fix the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict, but I was able to appreciate the fact that through telling these two very different stories, we're raising the questions and we're willing to sit with "the beast."
The Middle East is a many many things. It's filled with people and life and joy and pain. It is also scary and big and the situation is currently dire. This is why even in our little theatre, something happened, because, on Tuesday, together, we were willing to listen.
Peace,
Zohar.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Cyrano - 2 Men and a Little Lady
There were some great scenes today. We did a run through. Notes. and worked through the rough patches.
It's hard sometimes when it's only three of us--you can't hide!
The day before, we did an exercise where we had to tell each other what was beautiful about the other person inside and out. I think I could have used that exercise again today.
Being the only young woman in the cast isn't always easy. I play around with the guys--we wrestle, we duel, we laugh...we have a great time! But in the spirit of my womanhood, I was sensitive today and felt younger than my years. The guys are cool about everything, but the lady in me (and the Becca in me) was....feisty and untamed on the inside. I needed another woman next to me just so I could say things like...."ya know what I mean?"....or "I need some chocolate"
Eh--tomorrow is a new day. I feel like we are all a family. Perhaps I'll bring some sort of snack tomorrow.
Bob- I almost wish that I could do that "Beautiful" exercise today, because I would add that your awareness and understanding is truly beautiful. You have a way of knowing what's going on with the other person just by looking at them. And that is a gift.
It's hard sometimes when it's only three of us--you can't hide!
The day before, we did an exercise where we had to tell each other what was beautiful about the other person inside and out. I think I could have used that exercise again today.
Being the only young woman in the cast isn't always easy. I play around with the guys--we wrestle, we duel, we laugh...we have a great time! But in the spirit of my womanhood, I was sensitive today and felt younger than my years. The guys are cool about everything, but the lady in me (and the Becca in me) was....feisty and untamed on the inside. I needed another woman next to me just so I could say things like...."ya know what I mean?"....or "I need some chocolate"
Eh--tomorrow is a new day. I feel like we are all a family. Perhaps I'll bring some sort of snack tomorrow.
Bob- I almost wish that I could do that "Beautiful" exercise today, because I would add that your awareness and understanding is truly beautiful. You have a way of knowing what's going on with the other person just by looking at them. And that is a gift.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Cyrano - Rehearsal 5
I must add a very important addition to my first blog. I need to clarify the statement I made about Cyrano's speech not bringing me to tears. My dry eyes were not a result of Bob's performance--on the contrary I am often distracted by his brilliance. It was just the 2nd rehearsal and I was thinking too much about the moment;)
Doug actually told me today that I can "take the burden off" about the emotional stuff I have to go through on stage--specifically on the line "I'M CRYING".....I was thrilled to learn that crying can be metaphorical and/or mean many things. I got time to discuss any places I felt awkward...I really feel like tomorrow will be an exciting run through.
It was a fabulous rehearsal day---I could hardly contain myself while I got to try on my outfits for the show. We decided Roxane needs to wear a dress, not a skirt. My fittings took about an hour (so it seemed)...the two men were in and out in what seemed like minutes. I have to admit that I feel like royalty when trying on costumes with a costume designer.
We ran through transitions. And Doug gave us the gift of getting out a half hour early.
This was a gitty report of the day--The excitement of rehearsing hasn't worn off yet.
Doug actually told me today that I can "take the burden off" about the emotional stuff I have to go through on stage--specifically on the line "I'M CRYING".....I was thrilled to learn that crying can be metaphorical and/or mean many things. I got time to discuss any places I felt awkward...I really feel like tomorrow will be an exciting run through.
It was a fabulous rehearsal day---I could hardly contain myself while I got to try on my outfits for the show. We decided Roxane needs to wear a dress, not a skirt. My fittings took about an hour (so it seemed)...the two men were in and out in what seemed like minutes. I have to admit that I feel like royalty when trying on costumes with a costume designer.
We ran through transitions. And Doug gave us the gift of getting out a half hour early.
This was a gitty report of the day--The excitement of rehearsing hasn't worn off yet.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Cyrano - 4th Rehearsal
Today was our 4th rehearsal. We finished blocking the whole show today and did a quick photo call.
We started off our first long day with some acting exercises....the first was hysterical! The three of us did a mirror exercise--one of us would be the leader and the other two would follow...the leader would then somehow pass on "leadership" to someone else. We all moved a little too fast for each other--this was so much harder than it was in college! At one point, Paul stuck his hands under his legs and made strange antenna finger movements for us to follow. Another time he was off doing his own movements, unaware of Bob and I following each other:) Bob enjoyed putting his leg up in the air quickly and then leaving it there! I couldn't stop giggling. When we were instructed to find an ending that would make sense for our characters, we formed some sort of circle and I hid behind a chair to hide my laughter....I swear I wasn't the only one laughing.
Of course, we all found significance to these exercises--not only did we bond during the process, but we gained more awareness of one another. We did another exercise after this which was much more serious and brought about new ideas for our characters.
A discussion followed. An hour lunch came after. And then we blocked.
At the end of the day, we ran through all our new blocking for the second half of the show. Although it was chaotic at times, we did not stop and the rhythm of the show added a great sense of reality to what we were doing. So much of this show is props and imagination. While we were blocking, my situations on stage were harder to believe with all the starts and stops. But when you have to go through things non-stop, it's almost like you're following the clock of the characters, not the actors...and your character's life becomes real.
It was a tiring but worth it day.
We started off our first long day with some acting exercises....the first was hysterical! The three of us did a mirror exercise--one of us would be the leader and the other two would follow...the leader would then somehow pass on "leadership" to someone else. We all moved a little too fast for each other--this was so much harder than it was in college! At one point, Paul stuck his hands under his legs and made strange antenna finger movements for us to follow. Another time he was off doing his own movements, unaware of Bob and I following each other:) Bob enjoyed putting his leg up in the air quickly and then leaving it there! I couldn't stop giggling. When we were instructed to find an ending that would make sense for our characters, we formed some sort of circle and I hid behind a chair to hide my laughter....I swear I wasn't the only one laughing.
Of course, we all found significance to these exercises--not only did we bond during the process, but we gained more awareness of one another. We did another exercise after this which was much more serious and brought about new ideas for our characters.
A discussion followed. An hour lunch came after. And then we blocked.
At the end of the day, we ran through all our new blocking for the second half of the show. Although it was chaotic at times, we did not stop and the rhythm of the show added a great sense of reality to what we were doing. So much of this show is props and imagination. While we were blocking, my situations on stage were harder to believe with all the starts and stops. But when you have to go through things non-stop, it's almost like you're following the clock of the characters, not the actors...and your character's life becomes real.
It was a tiring but worth it day.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
New Rep on Tour's First Blog
Hello! My name is Becca and this is my first blog:) I was honored to be asked to write about my experience with New Rep playing Roxane in Cyrano! I've been in other Equity shows before, but this is my first tour.
It's just three of us--Paul Melendy, Robert Kropf and myself acting under the direction of Doug Lockwood. We only have two weeks to put the show up and today was the third day of rehearsal.
On the first day, I nearly cried tears of joy when I saw the huge box of props for us to dig into. The pile of props included fake bloody heads and hands, blankets and napkins, a large assortment of dinner table equipment, flowers and hats. So far we have done many creative acting exercises which involved a great deal of prop playing. In the show, we will be using many of these props, which can become anything our imagination comes up with.
Because of the limited amount of rehearsal time, we all tried to be off-book for the first rehearsal. Being off-book means I am a little harder on myself. On the second day, when we were going through scenes and blocking everything, I expected myself to be emotionally available for all the situations I go through as Roxane. (this is typical) I went home slightly disgruntled with myself. "Why didn't Cyrano's speech bring me to tears?!" "Why do I feel awkward in this scene or that?" etc...etc... But I talked with Paul about this and he reminded me it was only the second day!:)
It's the end of the third rehearsal today and I can look back at yesterday and know I was being way too hard on myself. At the end of today, I know a million times more what I am doing in my scenes and I have many experiences in the show now to relish and work with. More importantly I realized I need to give the play time to sink in before I can...jump in it.
Finally, I need to say what a joy Robert and Paul are to work with. They are both wonderfully open actors. I feel very comfortable with them.
Tomorrow we have rehearsal starting at 10am....Tonight I'll be going over my scenes and putting myself right to bed. Can't wait for tomorrow.
It's just three of us--Paul Melendy, Robert Kropf and myself acting under the direction of Doug Lockwood. We only have two weeks to put the show up and today was the third day of rehearsal.
On the first day, I nearly cried tears of joy when I saw the huge box of props for us to dig into. The pile of props included fake bloody heads and hands, blankets and napkins, a large assortment of dinner table equipment, flowers and hats. So far we have done many creative acting exercises which involved a great deal of prop playing. In the show, we will be using many of these props, which can become anything our imagination comes up with.
Because of the limited amount of rehearsal time, we all tried to be off-book for the first rehearsal. Being off-book means I am a little harder on myself. On the second day, when we were going through scenes and blocking everything, I expected myself to be emotionally available for all the situations I go through as Roxane. (this is typical) I went home slightly disgruntled with myself. "Why didn't Cyrano's speech bring me to tears?!" "Why do I feel awkward in this scene or that?" etc...etc... But I talked with Paul about this and he reminded me it was only the second day!:)
It's the end of the third rehearsal today and I can look back at yesterday and know I was being way too hard on myself. At the end of today, I know a million times more what I am doing in my scenes and I have many experiences in the show now to relish and work with. More importantly I realized I need to give the play time to sink in before I can...jump in it.
Finally, I need to say what a joy Robert and Paul are to work with. They are both wonderfully open actors. I feel very comfortable with them.
Tomorrow we have rehearsal starting at 10am....Tonight I'll be going over my scenes and putting myself right to bed. Can't wait for tomorrow.
Pieces
The following are excerpts from what I call "Picking up Pieces." Pieces was first written and performed in NYC on 2000. These excepts attempt to document the process of re-engaging with the play for the upcoming production at New Rep (in conjunction with "My Name is Rachel Corrie"), and as a result, re-engaging with a very different Middle East.
Director Suzana Berger, and I in the midst of our last New York workshop before we go up to New Rep on Monday. Over the last months we've had a long process of working on the play both in New York and in San Francisco. It has been fascinating process. At first, the thought of delving into a play I wrote eight years ago was utterly intimidating, not to mention performing in it. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what to say, and how to take a story about 94' and make it meaningful today, after all that has happened in Israel/Palestine since.
We're finding our way, some things are not resolved yet, and other parts we feel confident about. We're hoping everything will come into a sharper focus once we're in our official rehearsals at New Rep.
Pieces
The following are excerpts from what I call: Picking Up Pieces. Pieces was first written and performed in NYC in 2000. These excerpts attempt to document the process of re-engaging with the play for the upcoming production at New Rep (in conjunction with My Name is Rachel Corrie), and as a result, re-engaging with a very different Middle East.
Director Suzana Berger and I are in the midst of our last New York workshop before we go up to New Rep on Monday. Over the last months we've had a long process of working on the play both in New York and in San Francisco. It's been fascinating. At first, the thought of delving into a play I wrote eight years ago was utterly intimidating, not to mention performing in it. I wracked my brain trying to figure out what to say, and how to take a story about 1994 and make it meaningful today, after all that has happened in Israel/Palestine since.
The more we work, the less scared I feel. We're finding our way, a couple parts are not resolved yet, while we feel more confident about others. We're hoping everything will come into a sharper focus once we're officially rehearsing at New Rep.
More on all of that soon. I'm looking forward to the drive up and to meeting everyone at the theatre. My wish is that we will all create a true theatrical exchange together. A dialogue.
Peace,
Zohar.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
2008-2009 Season
New Rep's 2008-2009 Season will be announced this Friday!
Check it out at www.newrep.org
(Subscriptions on sale immediately, single tickets on sale August 1, 2008)
Check it out at www.newrep.org
(Subscriptions on sale immediately, single tickets on sale August 1, 2008)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
New Rep earns 20 Nominations
Orson’s Shadow
Jason Marr - Best Supporting Actor in a Drama
The Wild Party
Best Lighting Design - Franklin Meissner, Jr
Best Costume Design - Frances Nelson McSherry
Best Choreography - Kelli Edwards
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical - Leigh Barrett
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical - Sarah Corey
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical - Jeremy Amasa Towle
Best Ensemble
Best Music Director - Todd C. Gordon
Best Director of a Musical - Rick Lombardo
Best Production of a Musical
A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Scenic Design - Janie E. Howland
Best Lighting Design – John R. Malinowski
Best Sound Design - Haddon Kime
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama - Bates Wilder
Best Actress - Rachel Harker
Best Director of a Drama - Rick Lombardo
Best Production of a Drama
tick, tick… BOOM!
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical - Brian R. Robinson
Best Music Director - Joshua Finstein
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