Reheasal 1!

Immediately the rehearsal environment was very different from my previous productions. I think everyone is feeling the pressure of the challenges this production is setting before us, or maybe thats just me… Jason wanted everyone to first introduce themselves, their role or position, and what they wanted to gain from the experience, or how they wanted to grow. I loved that he took the time to really make everyone consider it, because I know that up until that point I hadn't really thought about that question. I felt a little on the spot and answered that I wanted to tap into visceral and true emotions in the performance and grow a closer relationship with the character. But I would also like to do a lot more than that; I'd hope that I take this opportunity to become an example, as an upperclassman (who's worked with a variety of different IUP students over the past 3 1/2 years) who understands the level of professional and artistic dedication thats demanded of company members. This also means I really hope to volunteer my time backstage; in my costume shop hours and hopefully elsewhere. 

At the meeting we started out with a couple games to "dip our toes in" the psycho-physical condition the characters are in. The first was a game of walking-tag, but the optional tag-ee could "accuse" someone else across the room, and they would become it. The second was called "assassin" where one person was picked at random to be the killer, and would kill his victims by winking at them. (Casey was the killer; damn him!). Both engaged our senses of suspicion, planning and conniving, and group paranoia. 

(The Trial of George Jacobs)

We broke, (to group grumbling about coming back 15 minutes early from a half an hour break). Returned and went over design presentations. I really hope the visual metaphors are as emphasized through the set as Brian's drawings portray, particularly in the looming forest motif. One of the copies I had of the Crucible included background info in the stage directions and it made note of the wilderness expanding out endlessly to their west; the only place where there were not Christians. Brian remarked that that image had bring an inspiration. 

And finally we came to the read through. The language did in fact prove an obstacle, especially because of the fact that it was a first read through. I worked wanted  to see what level of communication I could achieve with everyone I interacted with. Emily and I were able to play off each other a little bit, I know she's done a fair amount of prep work and taken a lot of time with the script, so that was a positive. Im anticipating the journey that Kayla and I will have to take over this process to build some trust and understanding. I want the Proctor scenes to feel safe, so that the reconciliation at the end can be fully expressed and stand out against the horror of the judges and the ministers that send Proctor to hang.

So I'm meeting with Jason tomorrow to have a character conference before break to figure out what kind of research I should be doing, and to set a timeline. 'm not expecting to go to festival (unless I decide to help out with Bug), so I should have good time to get off book.