Naturally
Another week, another blog post! When I first came up with this idea to post every single week, I had a small worry that I wasn't going to have enough to write about, but I am always shocked about how much I have to say every Friday. This week was just like the rest of them in the sense that I love directing and I love my cast and crew, but there was a new feeling that I am not used to. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about how I had way too many directions to give out because if I didn't, the actors would have had no idea what to do. After this week, my whole mindset flipped upside down.
Monday started with a small rehearsal of three actors, which was great, but not for the reasons I expected. From the beginning of this process, I knew that one of my priorities should be giving my cast time to bond and get to know each other. That way, they feel more than comfortable acting and trying new things without the insecurity of not knowing their fellow actors that well. So, Monday's plan was to run through a couple of scenes with these three women, but what was so shocking is that the connection and bond between the three was almost instant. I had a warmup planned that didn't really go as I wanted, but that doesn't mean I stopped doing it and just start to work on the scenes. And that's because they were just having a conversation, laughing, and having a good time. Throughout the night, they may have gotten side-tracked or told a story that was vaguely related to what we were doing and normally, that would bother me. But it didn't.
Two of the actors that I called are cast as Sophie and Zoey, who are lifelong best friends who love each other very much. Going into this production, these two actors knew each other, but as far as I know, the conversation that they had (with me and Jenna contributing here and there) was the most they have connected so far. My main objective of the night was to get that chemistry that came up so effortlessly between the scenes and implement it into the play. We ran through each short scene 2 or 3 times, but I knew we didn't need to work on them that much because the part I was afraid of was easier than I could have ever imagined. It was so heart-warming to see these two friends bond with no work done on my end and I already know how well it will translate to their performance.
Wednesday blew past my expectations in a different way. One of my pet peeves in a show is when actors don't know they have to always be doing something in character while on stage. Even if there is no reason for an audience member to be looking at a character who isn't speaking, I want all of my actors to be acting between their lines. I decided to spend the rehearsal's time on Wednesday to just run through as much as we could and just see how everyone was responding to my previous directions and suggestions. I could not believe how much was happening without me getting involved. 1) Actors were so focused and in character throughout! 2) At some points, I saw actors looking up from their script, which shows that they have been putting in the time to get off-book! 3) I actually saw some character development and even though I had notes, it was all deeper and harder to grasp directions! I felt so good about the work that we have all done to get to this point and I had to remind myself that we still have more than 2 months until opening night. As always, there will be some things that I have to mention and directly make sure that they happen, but not for everything like I originally thought. My new favorite thing is just to sit back and watch new things develop naturally.
It would impossible to create relationships if it wasn't for all of the work and open-mindedness of every person in my cast. Forcing two or more people to be friends would never work, which is why I think it is so fascinating that it tends to just happen on its own. As the quote for this week implies, life (or in this case, my play) will work out even if I am not constantly trying to be in control of everything. I need to just let things happen and as my good friend (who may or may not be a character in the show) would say go with the flow. Words cannot express how amazing it is watching my actors not only perform their best but also have fun and enjoy what they do with one another, I cannot watch them grow and develop even more. I hope I will never forget this feeling, it's a good one. Until next time!
"You can't control everything. Sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that things will work out. Let go a little and just let life happen." ~ Kody Keplinger