The Show Biorhythm

The dress rehearsal last night was very satisfying: some parts were phenomenal, most were very good, while a few just didn't hit the mark. But it was a great rehearsal.

Every time I direct a show, I notice how a show's "biorhythm" kicks in during tech week. What usually occurs is a trade-off of "great" rehearsals on even nights and "lousy" rehearsals on odd nights (or vice versa). The key is that this greatness/lousiness thing is supposed to flip-flop on a daily cycle, allowing you to "predict" what sort of an opening night you'll have.

But it's just not that easy here. For some reason, the actors in this show don't seem to lose any ground with stuff they've established that is good. So, say if Todd has already mastered Save the People, he's not likely to mess it up by trying a drastically different approach two nights before opening. I try to let everyone know when something they do is just right so that they can focus on how they did it. Then they can lock it in for every performance.

So, where do we need work? Here are some general notes that I've given routinely over the course of the past few weeks:

• Perform with a purpose and urgency that will drive your character through each scene. If you can't find a reason for your character to be on stage, then the audience won't want to watch you, plain and simple.
• Listen to the other characters through the ears of your character and watch them through your character's eyes, then, respond to them through the voice of your character.
• Picking up the pace does not mean speaking faster. Speaking so fast that the audience cannot understand you SLOWS down the pace, as they have nothing to carry them through the conversation.
• With the intelligent lighting instruments in the house, the white noise is higher than normal. PROJECT your voice more, and speak with more volume and intensity.
• Remember whenever possible to position yourself on stage so that the WHOLE audience can see you. The Petit Playhouse is an unusual space, so adjust accordingly.
• Move the menhirs quietly but deliberately.

All the elements are in place, and we're ready for an audience tonight.


- Sean