Day Three - Get Real

Howdy,

It is incredibly valuable to do something for real. If it is in the play, always find the real way things are done and the play will be richer. My example is Ruthie has polio, what does that mean for her ability to use her muscles. Scott talked to us about that, and it is a challenge for Jamie but one that is worth confronting. The earlier the better. Because it is in this reality that the play lives. What inspired the blog about reality is the use of a bedpan and Bo's manipulation of Ruthie to make the event of her going 'wee' to happen. Once it was done for real - Bo was tired, and you believed an event had occurred, and the reality of the two characters being alone for the first time was now settling in. It helped ground the characters, as well as, the actors. The whole opening of the play is filled with those moments - Bo carrying Ruthie in over his shoulder, the bed pan, getting dressed - and the idea of getting into the actor (ticket seller right here) into their underwear for real in rehearsal definitely helps inform behavior.
We are also learning about limitations of not having something for real - the trap door for one. Because of the Equity contract we can't build the platform needed for the trapdoor. I don't understand Equity's reasoning for this - and will not pretend for a second that it is in the best interest in the development process. We are spending some time trying to create rehearsal techniques for the surprise of Bo opening the door, or descending or climbing out...the substitution isn't what's important, as what would the reality of the event do for or to the characters. It is something we are being conscious of - but if the door was there - we wouldn't have to be conscious of it because it would actually be happening, and maybe the value would be surprising us. That's the value of reality...it surprises us and deepens our understanding of the world.
So far we put the first 11 pages on its feet, and even got to do some work in the details. It seems to be going pretty well.
And a plug for workshop - and non-reality. The floor of the design is taped up, we realized the bed had to be at a different angle and to make that angle make sense witht he reality of the floor of the space - all that had to happen was to lift up some tape and to move it to another place. Very simple - left a message with Martin to talk about why - and await his reaction. However, I know that we can keep changing the groundplan, and furniture plan as long as want - because no actual building has to occur. This is a luxury that a workshop affords you. We will have learned what is required before every starting to build.
Metaphor for workshop:
Betsy rocks - she got us a rehearsal CD today. Now all we need is a CD player.

Goodnight,

Padraic