Amphitryon Rehearsal - April 11, 2006

This is the first rehearsal that I had a chance to attend. This will be the first look into the rehearsal process.

Observations (pre-rehearsal):

• Only a framed set (wood frame only)
• Blocking is taped out on the stage floor (Eleven different areas)
  
• Actors show up 5-10 minutes early
• Very friendly and talkative
• have detailed schedules on what to work on
• don't seem to be the least bit nervous
• practice lines IMMEDIATLY
• Alone and with other actors
• repeat lines in different tones/dialeques, etc.
• Stage lights get turned on 5 minutes before rehearsal starts
• The actors inspect the set for growth and aspects that are relevant to their characters
• Adapt to the stage, walking around
• Start to do own physical warm-ups (stretches, lunges, etc)
• A LOT of sommunication between actors
• Director shows up a few minutes before seven

Rehearsal Starts (Warm-Up):

• Director shows props/masks to actors
• The masks are rough drafts, no paint and no eye-holes
• Director calls for "warm-up"
• Actors/Director circle up
• House lights go off
• Actors begin to group stretch (physical warm-up)
• Director spends a great amount of time to demonstrate the "walk" that each character will perform (Very detailed and serious about a not so serious walk)
• Actors work very hard on getting the walk correct
• Gives reasoning for every action and direction he gives
• There is little to NO questioning the Director's direction
• Actors and Director play the "YES" game
• The group gets in a circle
• They point at another actor and say "YES" very loudly
• As the actor gets point at, he follows in doing the same thing
• Then the actor will go to the location of the actor he or she points at...
• 5-10 minutes

Action begins:

• Director calls for Scene 6
• Without question, the actors get to their spots and are ready to begin the scene
• Some actors carry the script while others try to do it "off book"
• Actors call out "Line" when the need a line and the stage manager will read it to them
• The Director sits in the audience and even laughs as though he is part of the audience
• Rarely directs during the scene
• END SCENE

Director directs:

• Gets everyone on the stage
• Stage manager details mistakes on blocking, lines, etc.
• Director asks how it "feels"
• Makes comments on what he wants to see at certain points in the scene
• "Begin Scene 7"
• Moves very quickly through the scenes
• gives advice throughout the scene
• Stands on the stage to direct and manipulate the actors
• Adapts things on the fly if he enjoys the way it looks
• "Sharpens" the scene - Really breaks the scene down
• Extremely positive throughout the rehearsal
• Describes the background of the characters to give the actors a better feel for their characters
• PROCESS: Observe, discuss, then direct almost line by line. (VERY DETAILED)
• Uses Blocking to place actors on the stage
• Director moves around the stage in the middle of the action

I know the notes seem rough, but take some time to read through them. It was very interesting to observe the rehearsal. The warm-up through the end of the rehearsal was all new to me. I hope that this gives a better perspective of what it takes to be a part of this process.

The following posts will include common things, but I will leave out much of the detail I have put in this first Blog.