Rehearsal 2

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.