Week Two - Stronger than ever

Howdy,

Wow - thrilled to see someone else posted. Read the post from Lea below this one. It is brilliant, poetic, artistic - and again, I suggest you read it. Especially because this may be a long post. First off - the Yankees won tonight, which means - no more days off from rehearsal. Second, a sports metaphor for a theatrical workshop. I am going to run the Dublin marathon at the end of October. It is two days before my birthday and a fine excuse to go to Ireland. I expect to train 16 weeks for the marathon. Starting July 1. However, to be able to do that I have to be in good enough shape to start training. I have been committing the month of June to get my mileage up high enough so I can begin my training officially. That is what a workshop is for a play - to get in good enough shape that it is ready to go through a full fledge rehearsal and production process. Okay - enough sports talk for now.
Big shout out to jamie D's grandma Shirley. Thanks for reading - and to no surprise to you, Jamie D is doing an amazing job. Over the two days off I had a thought, informed by a conversation with Lea while she was in town, about Ruthie, jamie's character. I shared that idea about with Jamie today, and immediately she began applying it. It effected her work positively in more than the obvious ways. That is my favorite part of collaboration. Everyone working to make the play better. Everyone grew from the days off. Eric T. is doing great work too, and when he tells me his relatives are reading the blog I'll go into more detail.
Had a production meeting. it was productive. Learned we may will be able to focus some lights. We will get some support for props - and there was a discussion about how to work a taped out version of a trap door. I think we changed the groundplan today based on how the audience will view this rehearsal solution, maybe not the best for the long-term life of the play. But, hey, it will not alter how we tell the story or the value of the workshop. Just maybe a weakness of process vs. product. If we were going to actually fully realize the set - I don't think the change would've been made. Again, that is part of the value of the workshop - no changes are permanent. But the growth of the actors is - which is lovely.
Stop reading this and go to Lea's post - this will be here later:
I saw Penalties& Interests tonight. It is very funny. A great example of the development process. I hope all of you will see it more than once. Go early, go often. Ask Katie Flahive - she knew to go early. Actually just a way to acknowledge what a pleasure it was to see her tonight. Hope to see her and Josh at Sweet Storm. Okay, back to Penalties & Interests - The script is tight - direction solid, love the sound design by Betsy Rhodes - and the actors are genius. It is a very funny tight Beckettesque satire of the modern corporate existence. Our production assistant Lauren came with me. Maybe she'll blog tomorrow about what she thought. If not - I'll let you know. All of the artists involved talked about how hard the process was, or terrifying it is to be in front of an audience with only 11 rehearsals. No need for them to worry - yes the play will get tighter as it gets more performance and rehearsal time. But they are already in wonderful shape. However, those involved in the production can take solace in the fact that the show will perform in front of an audience more times than Sweet Storm will rehearse. And they are all invited to attend Saturday June 21st at 3pm. Then do your evening show - then go to Lexi's going away party in Queens. Then wake up and check out the Benefit Reading of the original cast of JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN - for more information on this go the lab's website. Hard to believe that play is ten years old - it also ran the same creative path of Sweet Storm: Intensive reading, barn series, showcase...hope someone will blog about the anniversary reading of Sweet Storm ten years from now.
Oh - always important to go out after a performance - had a brilliant design conversation with Sarah S at the E. 4th St. bar, called Stillwater - but will always be the E. 4th St. Bar to me. Not only were her ideas very good - but I love her concern and thoughtfulness regarding all aspects of the play and the process. I look forward to seeing her at rehearsals and talking during the process as I got to do with Lea this week, and hopefully will with Martin, and Betsy in the coming days.
Walked home over the Brooklyn Bridge with Charles. You're invited to join us for that anytime. Something to be experienced. As is Sweet Storm rehearsals, which you're invited to come to: We're opening up tomorrow (Wednesday) from 3 to 5pm - and Saturday from noon to 2pm. Just stop by, be quiet when you come in hang in back and if there is a break be sure to say hi.
Well that's more than enough tonight.
It would be incomplete to blog without mentioning how great it is to have Scott Hudson in town. He is feckin' great to work with. (Feckin' cuz I'm training for the Dublin Marathon)

Goodnight,

Padraic