Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Period 2 Notes

Cover
Great start. Good characters. Start getting out of the script - looking at the other actors. This scene is funny and gripping, but you'll need to rehearse it a lot. Also, figure out where they are and how you can show us. Think about the visual pictures you can use to help show us what's going on. Keep it up! I'm excited to see this improve!

Crimes I
Blake - don't be afraid to "play the lawyer." I think he likes to "act" lawyerish - to maybe impress her - if that makes sense. Alina - Figure out the point in scene when she realizes that she's attracted to him. Think about how you can show that to us.

Prisoner of 2nd Ave.
Nice! This scene will be great. Roger - when he says "Nothing's wrong," is that really what he means? Cut the cigarette - it's just distracting. Stephanie - You have a great voice. Very clear. Great character work both of you. Try this: what if you switch and Stephanie sits and Roger never sits. Try that and see what happens. Great start.

Crimes II
What fun! Don't be afraid to get super upset, Bryana. We want to see you flipping out. Nice moment all: "The one Babe told me about... from the club." This scene is like a hurricane that winds up swirling Lenny and then Babe up the stairs and off the stage. You'll have to build to that peak or we don't believe the exit lines. Try at one rehearsal on the last couple of pages always topping the previous person's line and energy all the way to the end.

Barbies
Good start. This is going to be funny! You guys need stuff: books, clothes, dishes... Figure out how to establish where they are. It will help us put the scen in some sort of context. Keep it up!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

More 7th Period Notes

Emerald City
Good scene. Where are they? What are they doing? Think about ways you can make clear what your goals are. Good start on the character work: I feel like these people have a specific relationship. It's a bit long.

Take A Giant Step
Nice work! Sean, you've really got a great character going. Michael you're on your way too. This will be a great scene. Make sure you're doing things TO each other, not just doing them. Sean don't be afraid to make her scared on "Oh no you won't" line.

Bus Stop
Good scene for you guys. How can you establish where they are? I know you're sharing a script today, but what are these people doing while they're talking? How can you tell the story visually?

The Glass Menagerie
Great energy! Keep it up! Excellent start. Don't forget to tell the story visually: Where are they? What are they doing? I'm excited to watch this scene develop.

Ancient History
Let us see how you are affected by the beauty of the place. The more into it you are, the more we will be. Good! - start to have fun when they start listing all the "No" stuff. They can enjoy that game. Think about how you can tell the story visually.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

7th Period Notes

The Basement
Nice work. A little long... We do need to get you a real looking gun. Remind me. Also the doll and costumes will help because this is such a crazy scene.

Sorry, Wrong Number
I love this play. Try facing US (upstage) before your character speaks. Maybe turn down the lights halfway... something to set the mood.

Candy Store
Bit long. Great characters! Where are you? A porch? What can you do to establish location? Jake - nice checking in to see if he understood "she's crazy." Seth - good blocking, but make the transition a little smoother to lying on the floor. Ishmael - make him older. Feel free to "be the old man." Great casting guys! Nice "do it - come on section." Maybe do the impression standing up?

Watch on the Rhine
Good choice guys. Lauryn - what is she doing during that opening section? Shaina - she says she's nervous... let's see that. Mason - he has to carry himself differently than you as part of his job: let's see the difference between you and him.

The Odd Couple
This'll be good. Work on those lines so you can get to the fun stuff. Andrew - figure out what he's doing physically. Even when he's just laying around, he's doing it to annoy/change Felix. We need some stuff to watch. Eating? Felix cleaning? Also try to find a way to define where they are.