Rehearsal 2 - Wednesday 7th October
In the second rehearsal we started
physicalising the text with a 'walking read-through' or 'rough block' of the
play.
The session started with a focus on
proxemics and spatial relationships on a thrust stage. The cast were asked to
consider the strong spots and weak spots on a stage of this configuration. We
also looked at distance and spatial relationships between two characters and
what different physical relationships on stage offer to other characters and to
an audience. A consideration of the space will hopefully inform the
decisions
The aim of the 'walking
read-through' is to get an understanding of who is physically on stage at every
moment of the play, so each actor can understand which character's are onstage
with them. It also immediately exposes staging challenges and complexities that
actors and the director can consider from this early point without at this
stage having to solve these issues.
INDEPENDENT REHEARSAL TASK
WANT!
DO! FEEL!
In its
simplest form Staninlavski’s system is: WANT, DO, FEEL…
I want
something. Therefore I do something. Consequently I feel
something.
What I WANT
is an OBJECTIVE. What I DO is an ACTION.
What I FEEL is an EMOTION.
Questions The
eight questions, or W's, to ask about your character are:
WHO AM I?
WHERE AM I?
WHEN IS IT?
WHAT DO I NEED?
WHY DO I NEED IT NOW?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON’T GET WHAT I
NEED?
WHAT DO I DO TO GET WHAT I NEED?
WHAT MUST I OVERCOME?
WHO
AM I? What kind of person am I? How do I perceive myself? What is my
background, my upbringing, influences, experiences, perceptions,
accomplishments, attitudes, likes and dislikes, education, occupation,
relationships and characteristics? How might my attitudes be influenced by
social custom and habits that are part of the era in which I live and the world
in which I move? I must make all these decisions personal and particular
to me so that I can identify myself with my character in every
possible way.
WHERE
AM I? What kind of place is it? Is it indoors or out- doors? What
sort of furniture is there? What colours, smell, or sounds? What does it mean
to me? What objects are there in this place? Are they personal to me?
What is the weather, temperature and climate?
WHEN
IS IT? What time of day? What season, year?
WHERE
HAVE I COME FROM? What has happened previously? How did I
get here? What have I brought with me? Where am I going afterwards?
WHAT
DO I NEED? This is my ACTION. It is what I
will strive for. It is my motivating force, my desire, wish, and intention.
WHY
DO I NEED IT? This is my justification for my
Action. I must have a strong reasons for needing my Action.
WHY DO I NEED IT NOW?
Answer the questions: Why now? Why not later, or before? I must justify why I
need my Action now. All Actions are immediate.
