Doldrums, pl. n.
1. A period of stagnation or slump.
2. A period of depression or unhappy listlessness.
3. A region of the ocean near the equator, characterized by calms, light winds, or squalls.
We have reached the doldrums of rehearsal. It is almost unfair to call it that. We are certainly making progress. Now is the stage of rehearsal in which all of the actors are caught in between knowing their lines, intentions, context and actions. It is a terrible time really. It feels like being on a ship that isn’t moving as fast as you want it to.
Like being caught in the doldrums.
When I was a touring artist, the first question from student audiences was always “How did you memorize all those lines?”
Well kids, this is how it happens. Hard work.
Repetition, repetition, repetition.
Making connections so that it all makes sense.
(Why did I come over here? Ah ha, seduction. Let me try that again.)
Actors in the hallway helping each other. Scene partners running their lines over and over again. Actors coming in early to rehearse the fights.
We have had our squalls. Every new prop or piece of choreography is met with excitement and frustration at having to incorporate yet another new thing. (Is this really the knife? I’ve never seen this before! Will you have earrings? I LOVE these shoes!)
Every day we get more and more specific.
Tomorrow we will run through and see what we have.
The actors will be frustrated by all of the things that they forget.
I will be impressed by all of the things that they remember.
I have been across this ocean before.
I’m not afraid of the doldrums.
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- The Black Rep
- Founded in 1976 by Producing Director Ron Himes, The Black Rep is the largest, professional African-American theatre company in the nation. From humble roots the company relocated to the heart of Grand Center, St. Louis' arts and cultural district, where it makes its home in the beautiful, renovated 467-seat Grandel Theatre. The Black Rep continues to produce quality professional dramas, comedies and musicals by primarily African-American and third world playwrights. The company has produced the works of Pulitzer Prize winning playwrights August Wilson, Athol Fugard and more. The company maintains an award-winning Education and Community Program, including classes and workshops for adults and youth, touring productions, the Summer Performing Arts, the Teen Tech Program and the Professional Internship Program. Mainstage productions and Education programs combine to reach more than 80,000 people annually. Celebrate with The Black Rep as it continues to bring the magic of live theatre to everyone. Join us...Entertaining Diverse Audiences. Educating Promising Youth. Enriching Our Community.
2 comments:
You write like a poet. You make doldrums sound exciting. You are right, for actors it's the moment before the breakthrough. These are exciting times! Enjoy.
I liked getting a glimpse backstage. All we, the audience, see is the almost flawless performances that we have come to expect. Knowing a little about the creative process makes the theatre experience even more interesting and exciting. "Othello" is the perfect beginning to the season of the storyteller. Not a doldrum in sight!
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