Intermission » Actors and Others

Setting the Tone for the Day

Intermission — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:30 +0000

Begin with morning meditation.
Start up Kristin Chenoweth’s new Christmas album.
Count the morning birds for Project Feederwatch.
Scratch The Cat’s belly.
Give silent thanks to those doing what I cannot.
Imagine the smell of the pumpkin pie I’ll bake tonight.
Read Doonesbury.
Exchange blinks with The Cat.
Pick The Cat up for a little dance to the music.
Decide to play more holiday music.
Post this list without apology.
Pick up the pen and get busy.

Edited 11/27/08 to add:
(Yes, that’s My Cat.)

Actors without Writers

Intermission — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:03:05 +0000

The Speechless Campaign in support of the WGA strike.

The Dramatists Guild statement about the WGA strike.

plus c’est la meme chose, plus la change…

Intermission — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:44:06 +0000

Nothing stays the same.

Someone has approached us (AKA The Safe Group) about producing a series of script in hand performances. “Do it professionally, do it simply,” The Producer Man says. Thus far we’ve agreed to a limited test run, to see how well it comes together. This is not the first time someone has approached the SG. It is the first time we’ve said yes.

There is concern The PM may not understand or respect the Sanctity of the Workshop. Not understanding The Workshop is where our new plays come into being, and interference is not tolerated. The SG is inconoclastic by nature and will resist attempts to organize us too formally. Sounds crazy, yet is true. As individuals, we’ve all been badly burned by other producing theatre groups we’ve been in.

Of course, we write plays we want to see brought to life. Of course! That is a given. We are not, however, very good producers, collectively. Some playwrights are. We are not them.

We’re a mixed bag in any venture. We believe the only way The PM’s idea will work is if we have fun. If it’s not, we’ll fail.

I’m looking forward to fun.

Bless the Actors

Intermission — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 05:19:45 +0000

Re-write of the play completed. Now, time to hear it before continuing on with, I think/hope/feel, one more re-write. This time, not a cold reading as we did in March, but one with a director and a couple of rehearsals, and a small audience of some sort in a theatre annex.

Despite knowing these actors for some time now, I am always chagrined to ask for not only one more reading, but for one with some time commitment (study, rehearsal, performing) on their part. I am always amazed when they say yes. And if I had money, I’d pay them. As it is, I lavish food upon them at rehearsal. Probably to the slight annoyance of the director, as it messes with his idea of how the time should go. Yet, he is as kind and generous as the actors with his time. He ‘gets’ the play, and does what I cannot do: direct my own stage work. If left up to me, I’d end up giving actors line readings, and I know that’s not directing. It’s easier for me to give over the interpretation of my script if I’m sitting behind the director. Umm…I mean that figuratively, not literally.

These talented people have sat through endless Monday nights reading, listening to the play in its earlier forms. While they are all gifted at cold reading, at the first rehearsal, I sense they appreciate being able to tackle the material with some thought and direction, and not just cold.

Occasionally, the director stops and calls out, “Playwright?” Yes, he actually calls me that instead of my name, although no one else shares the same. He poses a question, asks for clarity, or tells me a line interrupts the flow and asks for a cut or a re-write. Sometimes I agree, sometimes not. Sometimes I realize his solution can better be solved with my solution. It is always better, I feel, to come up with my own solution.

My excitement about the play grows, moving from fear, trepidation, anxiety into something more confident. I try to think of other ways to thank my band of volunteers than food. I cannot thank them enough for all they do. They are an integral part of the development process. Playwrights need to hear their work read aloud. Playwrights HAVE to hear their work read aloud.

I don’t like all actors. I haven’t gotten along with all actors. I’ve had my share of twirling dervishes.

Actors are a gift. I hope to always treat them accordingly.

Comments:
Very exciting to read about this. I wouldn’t like being called “Playwright” either. Sheesh, what’s up with that?
The creative process, the writing and re-writing are aspects that the audience never sees. They experience the finished product, distilled in its finest form. But I rather like reading about how the process unfolds. To me, that’s the art of it all. Continued success to you.
Deb 2006/07/27 at 2:43 PM