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