Week Three: Sculpting Scenes into Theater

Carlos worked with the group to develop the shape of the play as it had been determined the prior week. This week included a lot of drilling: repeating scenes, blocking and entrances and exits until they were as crisp as possible. Personal props and costume pieces were also introduced. Because the play includes two pairs of twins (Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus, Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus) AND because multiple actors share these and other roles, props will help to clarify the story for the audience.

At this point in the rehearsal process it is important to remember that actors serve: Actors serve their audience. They also serve the playwright. They serve the character they play. And they serve their fellow actors. Through every step of the rehearsal process an artist must maintain a high level of awareness. The actor’s work is very clear when they are on stage, speaking their lines, working with their fellow actors and taking direction. But their ability to stay present, alert and aware while they are off stage is equally significant. Whether onstage or off, actors must always be on the edge of their seat, on their tip-toes, alert and ready to participate, listening and learning from their own experience and from the experience of other artists whom they observe.

There is no down time in a rehearsal. Actors must always be actively participating: telling a story to the audience, pursuing a depth of truth, analyzing and interpreting the playwright’s intention, intently going after their character’s objective, being alive and available to their partner onstage, and being the best audience member when not on stage. Actors aim to live fully – all the time. While this can be difficult, uncomfortable, challenging, even draining, it is this engagement and sense of active participation that makes the work so rewarding – and what makes our own off-stage lives more fulfilling.

Student actors are invited to post their own comments to this blog so that readers may hear their voice, perspective and know more about their experience.