Amphitryon Rehearsal - April 13, 2006

Observations (Pre-Rehearsal):

• More details on the set
• Ladder, spiral staircase, walls, balcony floor
• actors inspect the set for growth
• actors discuss their ideas about the set
• Director's assistant sweeps the stage
• Blocking still taped out
• Actors test the set
• walking on the balcony, stairs, ladder

Warm-Up Begins:

• Physical warm-up
• Circle up, stretch legs, practice character "walk" in place, different poses to stretch legs, practice extentions, "YES" games
• Director review notes from the previous rehearsal (suggestions, etc)
• SECOND NIGHT OFF-BOOK (Without script)
• Director PCP - Praise Correct Praise

Action Begins:

• Director - "Start from the top"
• Actors start the play, asking for "line" when they forgot their lines
• The director makes minor changes while rehearsal goes. (Adlibing)
• Director listens to scenes and starts to play music during certain scenes (seems like playing)
• Assitant Director gives lines, blockings, corrections, etc.
• Director laughs at jokes and sometimes mistakes
• STRONG problems with actor playing Sosia
• Lines, blocking, giving lines to the ground
• Director begins to get frustrated and tells actors to consult stage manager to get correct blocking.
• Moves to a different scene

This rehearsal was very rough. There were some significant problems with lines, but it is the second day "off-script." I started to question the productivity of the rehearsal, but there was some amount of growth and practice. The Director was very positive, but very stern about his direction. (PCP) It began very hard to watch though.