The Electrical State of the Drama Nation

The State of the Drama Nation Tempest 2011

ACTING: Well, there are some confusions that need clarified, but basically, I feel like there is very little I can do to make you understand what needs to be corrected. In other words, I feel like you have been directed. Now, you just need to act. However, for the sake of making certain I have covered all of my bases.

PROSPERO: Less yelling, more intensity…. More kindness, less indifference…..In other words, right now, Prospero is too extreme. I would like him to be more in control of himself. Jordan, you actually need to work on tones in lines where he’s not angry. You sound too “monotonish” to me.

CALIBAN: Again, I think it’s an enunciation thing. Furthermore, you can leave gaps between lines that I wish didn’t exist. Rhythm….

STEPHANO: The accent works quite well, and you really know how to play the character. I take issue with two things. Foremost, in the first scene, you always stop singing. The singing should be a bit annoying and less pretty. Thus, Caliban’s annoyance will make more sense. Secondly, you need to get used to that outfit. It’s an important part of the equation.

TRINCULO: You must move better. You must have more freedom in your movements and gestures. You must have more fun with the part. You’ve been too serious for my liking. Be free! Bounce around, use those bells as a prop instead of a musical instrument, and most importantly, be more expressive!

MIRANDA(S): OK….both of you need to use your hands to express who the character is. If she were born on an island, then, she would not have the same kind of “repressed” nature that someone who lived in a typical society. She should be free, expressive. When she first sees Ferdinand, it should me nearly terrifying for her. Both of you react like, “whatever.” When she first talks to him, it should be like a child who is petting her first dog. That innocence disappears when you see your father put him in a spell. At that moment, you’re like the child who sees their father butcher the family cow. You can’t believe it, and your instincts are to protect the cow! After this point, you quickly evolve into a typical teenage girl, not before it!
FERDINAND: As a prince, you are raised knowing you will be king someday. Your character is stronger and more assertive than you’re being. He needs to be manly when necessary, and he needs to be equally as “soft” when necessary. USE YOUR HANDS! SMILE! Be strong….

KING: Things are improving quickly here. Remember, Sebastian and Antonio are fleas, like everyone else, who annoy you. Gonzalo is the one you trust and treat with due respect. You have but one concern in the play. You want to find your son because you love him dearly. Now, if that were my every thought in this play, don’t you think there would be more, and continued, joy when you find him? You seem relatively happy, but your coverts should be “I will never let this boy out of my sight again.”
GONZALO(S): We’re making progress here, but we’re not there yet. It’s in the coverts. I still need to see old lady traits. They are “sort of” there, but they are very inconsistent. Focus on coverts. Gonzalo knows….she senses…..she feels things in her heart….yes…your coverts really need work. We have to love her. We have to see how wonderful she is. You can be sweet and kind too! Just be yourselves!

ANTONIO: Really, nearly everything is in place. You’ve done a nice job with this part. In the section where Sebastian and you talk about killing the king, there is still work to be done. This is the only chance in the play to learn the true nature of your relationship. Work on making it clear that you have attitudes and opinions, but this worthless worm keeps changing and guiding them. “Oh Sebastian, what traps would you lead me into?” When you say this line correctly, I’ll be happy.

SEBASTIAN: It’s a similar comment with slightly different overtones. Enunciate, be a bit more devilish in the scene described above. Don’t just show joy at the thought of killing the king; show malicious joy. Furthermore, at the end, I feel like you should be trying to speak to Antonio, and I think he should be gently and kindly pushing you away. Then, you can sulk!

FRANCISCO: You are making progress. You really are. You know you need to enunciate, so work on that. You need to continue developing strong coverts, like you did on Friday. Make 100% certain that you do not go onstage again to do this part unless you have a bag, or a sack, or something to carry. Stay strong at all times. Remember faithful and true to the king!

ADRIAN: The blocking changes made a huge difference. They really did. They gave that character a completely different light. Like the notes above, the same holds true here. Be loyal, true, and above all else, sincere. Don’t allow the character the opportunity to become scenery. Force us to pay attention to you. Cassie…volume….Becca…stop smiling when you shouldn’t!

ARIEL(S): You have definitely made progress, and yes, there is more work to be done. Both of you have slowly reverted back to the original style of movement you utilized in the first month of this show. I need you to be more flowing in your movements. When would Ariel move quickly and suddenly? If you want to convince me you’re a spirit, you must move like one. Please remember the echo effect and how important it is to be loud, clear, and a bit slower than everyone else. I would hate to think someone would come to me afterwards saying, “I couldn’t understand what she was saying.” Be the spirit thou were born to be!

SPIRITS: Friday showed us the exact potential these characters have. Instead of just viewing yourselves as dancers, I need you to view yourselves as spirits. Play a part. I spent most of the weekend determining other places where you should be acting, and I think we can utilize you better without overdoing it. Be forewarned. More scenery has been added and moved. I need to make certain that you are “flexible” enough to deal with these constant changes.

CAPTAIN/BOATSWAIN/MARINERS: Watch a movie today. Watch the coverts of the average mariner and/or captain. Realize that you have a part to play. You’re not just extras standing on the stage at that point. You’re characters with lines, actions, coverts, personalities, etc. We need you to be the beginning and ending piece of this puzzle. If you started the movie with character and intensity, then, end the play the same way! I need more effort here!


TECH
Well, if we don’t get power today, I will be highly concerned. If we do get power, then, I’m sure we’ll work it out by the end of the night. Here are the separate concerns:

LIGHTING: OK…I’m not concerned, I’m just hoping we can finalize everything as soon as possible. I would prefer to start rehearsing with a final lighting set instead of changing on the fly. I know you want the same thing. The sooner we sort this out, the better off we’ll be. I’m sure you feel the same way. Finally, I would really like to determine who will start the water pump….

STAGE CREW: My only concerns are times per change, communication between stage and booth, and the Ariel lights. We really seem to be hit and miss with that. Morgan, will you please make a list scene by scene so that we are absolutely certain who is responsible when? Everything else looks good and seems logical. I need to find out how long your changes “literally” take. Am I missing something? Yes! We have sand now. We need to practice utilizing it with Kevin, including “clean up.”

SOUND: My largest concern is trying to get everything organized into one or two discs. I assume you’re close to finishing that. Are we still missing sounds? I think we have them all. If we don’t, tell me as quickly as possible so I can rectify that situation. You seem good on the cues, but we do need finish your “hut”, and we need to tape cords.

COSTUMES: I still have shoe concerns, but I’ll wait to be pleasantly surprised. It seems like we’re only a few accessories away from saying, “Finished.” Am I missing something? When will be painting the UV paint on the back of the costumes? Do I need to get a crown for Ferdinand?

MAKEUP: OK…I have so many questions that I can’t count them. Foremost, when will I see what you’re doing to Ariel? This is really important to me. Please say…TODAY! Secondly, what are the plans for hair? I think Miranda’s hair should be fairly “wild” in the beginning, and then, after she meets Ferdinand, it should be much prettier. In fact, she could have a “makeshift” brush to indicate that she’s “beautifying” herself. What about Ariel’s hair? What about the bottom of Kevin’s costume? I thought he was too dark on Friday. What will be the final plans on Spirit makeup? What about Prospero? How old will he be? Are you whiting his hair? Will he have a beard? I need answers, and I need them quickly! Do you have enough folks to help with this? Communicate!!!!!

ART: Oy vey…will it ever end? I need the back wall finished, today….hint…hint…. I need the cliff and “h20 downward grade” painted today. I have another palm tree that needs painted…today…I need another large rock painted…today….we have another trunk to paint…..today….Prospero’s cell has some touchup work to be done….oh….we could paint the stage…today….call me! There is more to do!!!!! There is TOO MUCH to do!!!!

CONSTRUCTION: We’re not finished. We need to build a large tree trunk. I need another rock cutout, and I have some other “small” jobs to accomplish. Honestly, we’re not finished either!

CONCESSIONS: I have no idea as to where we are here. That’s OK. Just update me!

TICKETS and USHERING: I doubt we have it, but if you’re in publicity, we need ticket sellers and actual ushers. It’s imperative that we schedule this as soon as humanly possible. Get reliable individuals!

FILM and PHOTO: I do not have anyone to take pictures or videotape this production. That is obviously a large concern that needs addressed immediately. HELP!!! I’ll take alumni in a heartbeat! Almost everyone else is employed at this point.

I think that’s it. However, if you give me five minutes, I’ll think of some more!

MjB

P.S. As of noon, they have dug in the third spot trying to locate the problem. The auditorium lot in totally torn apart, and I am not hopeful for a quick fix. Therefore, I will meet all NAMED ACTORS in the back parking lot at 4:00. We’ll either rehearse outside of my room, or we’ll go to Shaffer Park. This is MERELY A CONTINGENCY PLAN SHOULD THE POWER NOT BE RESTORED BY 3:00 or so. If the power is restored, we will have a FULL REHEARSAL from 4:00-9:00. Please e-mail me at mbairman@gmail.com if you have questions. It’s all good. Things happen for a reason!