Final Preview

Howdy,

Tonight was the final preview. The play is now handed over to the actors and Jessica, our stage manager, to maintain and support it's growth. Scott and I will be around during the run. But it is a goodbye to a phase of the work. The work continues. It continues for the entire run. As a matter of fact as I put the key into my apartment door a thought struck me about clarifying an overall intention of one of the characters. I know I will be looking at this thought during tomorrow's run. If it is valuable I will share it with the actors. My thoughts are on the end of the process because it clearly shifts tomorrow.

First, I want to talk about tonight. Jamie D. and Eric T. carried yesterday's excellent work into tonight's performance. More consistent. A couple of 'intense' moments that need to be more specific and couple of casual moments that need to have the right fuel under them. Overall though the work is done with a 'conscious spontaneity'.  It has it. And my goal for the actors is to keep that spirit of the work while utilizing the run of the play to continue to craft their performances. I see it happening now. 

This blog has been to track the development process. I will probably blog tomorrow. The play will continue to develop after opening. For now though, the rehearsal process is over and it seems the right time that it has been an honor to work on this play with all of the very committed and generous artists. Scott, Eric T, Jamie D, Lea, Sarah, Betsy, Jessica, Bob, Marieke, Alchemy, LAByrinth, Keenan, Jayme, Kate, Martin, David, Lauren, Becky, Dan, Leah, Irv, Kohl, Barrett, Jewdee, and all. This play and production will hold a special place in my heart forever. What makes Sweet Storm truly special to me is that it is absent of cynicism. And it seems to have had a similar effect to all of the artists that have engaged in the process of developing this play. Each of them has brought themselves fully to the process and I know because of it I am leaving this process a better artist. Thank you.

Goodnight,

Padraic

True Development

Howdy,

The performances took a leap today. I think I've said that before, it is unfair to say it took a leap, they took flight. That is more accurate. Before rehearsal today I talked with Scott, and Andrea Haring about warming up, and the purpose of it, and they both spoke about the intention of warming up just prior to the show is about becoming open, relaxed, connected to the material in order to create 'conscious spontaneity'. I came to rehearsal only to discover that both Jamie D. and Eric T. on their own had been thinking about their warm up process. I shared with them the idea of taking advantage of being with each other, talk about the play, run lines, - connect with one another. Andrea's suggestion was to also warm up in the space. To take advantage of the opportunity of their connection to the world of the play. And, that is what they did before the show tonight. And they were both really there for the 'first' time, hearing, reacting, being for the 'first' time. They allowed themselves to not 'control' or manifest the performance. And I was proud. There were some stakes dropped and the new is goal to keep the freedom of performance while working toward 'conscious spontaneity' with the deep emotional connection.

To be perfectly honest the work of directing the play is done.  We've discovered the shape, the needs, the event of the play. The technical elements are complete. It is now moving back to development. The development of two very talented artists. I remember hearing when I was studying acting and just becoming a director that it takes 20 years to become an actor. I don't know if that number is random or not but now that I'm entering my 20th year as a professional director I believe the statement to be true. Eric and Jamie have a wonderful opportunity to continue to grow, find out the best way to work, and push beyond past limitations to reach the next level of their artistry. I have complete faith. Tonight I saw them exit a cocoon and fly. There may be fear about how far from home they want to journey, but after tonight I know that the cocoon will no longer serve them. I'm very excited to watch them take flight together.

Goodnight,

Padraic

TwoDay

Howdy,

Today was a two show day.  A two day show during previews after tech is really a test of stamina. The job of the actor is to do it for the 'first' time after doing it for the longest work week there is, following a show earlier that day. What was clear is that the foundation of the play is strong. The matinee was very strong. With flashes of inspiration. Very strong. And The evening show, was the play. The play is good, the energy was a bit low, and it is hard to watch as a director. It's a good show.  It was better earlier. And the difference is subtle - probably only you and playwright are aware of the difference. And what I took away from the second show today was the prep, mental and physical, required for the run of the show. 

I had a great conversation with Scott today between shows about the commitment it takes to be a great artist. Something he said really struck me and that is - The commitment it takes to be a great artist is going to cost you. -  Cost you some socializing time, cost you in how you are able to talk about the work, cost you in how you are perceived. There is a cost. And I understand that because working with two actors on a play they really care about, watching them grow and try to push through barriers of their own to serve the play best as possible, it really is work. And it is also illuminating in how critical preparation is for the work. And when you are expected to do something nine days in row, that preparation is not something that is done at the theater. It begins when the show is over, when you go home, how you treat yourself all day prior to arriving at the theater. It is a discipline.

And tomorrow, we do it again. Only once. But again as if for the 'first' time.

Goodnight,

Padraic

Happy Birthday Scott Hudson

Howdy,

Today is, was, Scott Hudson's birthday. And the gift he received from the cast and myself was implementing the realizations of last night. He also got a card and some cake. But the real gift is the willingness of Eric T. and Jamie D. to fully commit to taking the work to the next level and eagerness to refocus, or maybe strengthen the focus of the work. They did a great job tonight. And, there is a vocabulary and grounding in the essence of the play that leads me to believe they will continue to grow on in this direction. 

It is, was, also Monique's birthday today - she took beautiful production shots of the play. This is but one of them.

Implementing the change this evening, though it seemed like a major refocusing was really possible because Scott, Eric T., Jamie D and myself had already done the detailed homework. And they could now let go and just experience the event of the play - which they did. 

There are two shows tomorrow, no rehearsal between, I look forward to them having an opportunity to keep working back to back.

Goodnight,

Padraic

The Greatest Team on earth

Howdy,

Anyone who knows me would think that with the title of the email it would be focusing on the Yankees beating the Mets. No. The greatest team on earth is Sarah, Betsy, Lea, and Jessica.

Tonight's run was a disappointment. A disappointment because it lacked the energy, stakes, moment to moment work that is cliche for second previews. It is a disappointment when you see the trap coming and still walk right into it. The audience saw a fine play. I believe they enjoyed it. I did not.

Then I went out to eat with the designers and Jessica and was challenged about what the play is about. What the event of the play is. What is the fundamental experience the characters are going through and why is it vital for us to watch? Those were the questions on my notes tonight for the actors. But with truly intelligent questions and challenges of choices in the rehearsal process from Sarah, Lea, and Betsy I was able to clearly identify the work that needs to occur over the next couple of days. 

The experience has been expressed in notes. But it really has to be grounded in work the next couple of days. The play lives in the two lovers being left alone together and discovering each other and themselves, and learning if they are capable of being loved and loving one another. The foundation of that experience is the essence of the play. That is it. Previews can be painful because you think you did that in the rehearsal room, not until you are in front of an audience and see where actors retreat to when tired that you learn clearly that the foundation is not as deep as you thought. This is not a criticism of the actors. It is an enlightenment - and push from Lea, Betsy, and Sarah to dig deeper. And for that push, I am most grateful.

Goodnight,

Padraic

Preview #1

Howdy,

First preview and it went really well. Still searching for the final ending moment - how do you get the wind to stop, can't blow it away with wind, can you? We'll find it tomorrow. I feel like I want to write about courage a lot when I think of the work people are doing. We made a major lighting change between the afternoon run thru and the evening performance. Lea has transformed the set through details added in the last 30 hours. Betsy is pushing the the details of story telling just write and we are filling out the play nicely. And Scott is amazingly present for all details in the show including how to help support and guide the actors to more specific work.

Jamie D. and Eric T. knocked it out of the park. Really private intimate work. Honest and in line with all of our work. Had the security of having been working for a while. I look forward to how far the play will grow. 

A lovely audience. Thanks to all that showed up tonight. 

Look forward to fine tuning and watching the work develop.

Goodnight,

Padraic

Trust

Howdy,

We had a full day of tech today. We got through most of the play. Well we got through all of the play but there are about four sections we have to look at again tomorrow before a final run through before our first preview. It is always most challenging to get into and out of a play. What I was struck with today is how much trust of fellow artists is critical at this part of the process. There is a huge amount of work going into putting everything together in the days of tech and then in previews. All of the plans are coming together, actors are dealing with a lot of information that effect their performances. Everyone is in the room together and giving input to each other about the work. Well, what I realized as I worked all day is that I trust everyone in the room. I have worked with each of them now many times, or on this project for over a year, and I know if something isn't 'right' or could be better - they will put their efforts toward making it so. I trust all of them fully. That is the joy of being in a room creating something, knowing that everyone working with you is excellent at what they do and will do what ever they can to the best of their abilities.

Trust hit me because as Scott and I walked home from the theater tonight. We both were expressing how we were comfortable with the fact that our first preview is tomorrow. Not over nervous, certainly not cocky. Trusting. That is how we felt. Trusting that people will come and bring the energy of support and that all of the artists will continue to grow in our work.

Speaking of work tomorrow is two different experiences. First it is time to continue working, detailing what we think might work best for the play. Then the experience of sharing the work with the public, and then the work will never be the same because we will have feedback from a live audience's response. They will become our new trusted collaborators. 

Goodnight,

Padraic