Tonight we rehearsed all of Act 2, many of us still referring to our script for lines. I felt particularly distracted tonight, perhaps tuckered out from my own real life demands and goings on. I missed a lot of cues and felt foolish because of it. Later Stephanie assured me that all of the seasoned performers onstage with me had botched lines and missed cues when they first started. She was supportive and encouraging, but I well knew that I better get my act together, so to speak. Next rehearsal was going to be off script—Practice! Practice!
I have to give Stephanie credit. Even though this is her directorial debut, she handles the cast members well, reassuring when needed, firm and clear in conveying her own vision of how her play should look, never bossy but strong in her directions. She listens to suggestions made by cast members about positioning onstage or body language or use and location of props and then swiftly incorporates or rejects and moves on. She quickly decides and keeps the momentum moving forward. There is no outward evidence of hesitation.
Act 2 is much more swiftly paced than Act 1. There is more moving and doing while delivering lines. As Ruthann, I spend more time looking naturally busy and fussing with props, while the main characters are speaking their lines; talk about multi-tasking! I have to remember to look convincingly and naturally occupied, while remaining actively aware of the rush of dialog so I don’t miss my cues, all the time moving to other parts of the stage as needed—the old dilemma of walkin’ and chewin’ gum! Do I move the chair or leave it? Do I move over to Mildred now to discuss the matter of the easily confused wedding dress designer, or to I move across stage and help up the v-e-r-y pregnant Violet? Do I frown judgmentally at Faye?
I’ve found the latter to be a constant issue. My own natural inclination is to be amused by Faye and her shenanigans and antics, but the pastor’s wife Ruthann is offended and morally indignant. So, I have to remember to change my cheerful, amused expression to a frown and roll my eyes and tsk-tsk.
And I’ve been told again to speak louder. Mildred is very loud so Ruthann has been told to say her lines more forcefully for balance. To my ear it sounds like I’m yelling, but I have to remember how it sounds to the audience. Oh my!
Perspective or point of view was made evident to me on another occasion, too. Bubba rolls out a podium from which to officiate the wedding. On stage it looks HUGE, but sitting down in the audience, that podium looks just right. I’m intrigued by how such logistics work.
A lot of jesting and laughter is woven in and around the lines being delivered. We're all trying to nail down our lines and parts, but having a good time together is also a major component and it's so much fun to be a part of it.
This Saturday we'll set aside scripts and pick up brushes to help paint the background boards.
And so the theatrics continue …
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