On The Road — Page 102

A Walk in the Park

April 23, 2013 at 7:59 am by Claudia

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Yesterday was my day off. It was sunny, but windy and cold (will winter ever leave?) and I took a walk in Bushnell Park. Camera in hand, of course. The trees are budding and in some cases, in full bloom.

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The carousel. I was determined to take a ride last year and never did. This year? It’s on!

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I call this the Wizard of Oz tree because it reminds me so much of those talking apple trees in the forest. I love all the curves and bumps.

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Beautiful, isn’t it?

I ran into the young man who is assisting the director on Twelfth Night and we stood there and chatted for what must have been 45 minutes or so. I met him when I was here in January – he’s very nice, very smart and is just starting out on what will be an exciting career, I’m sure.

There’s nothing like sitting in a room full of actors and other assorted types and realizing they are all younger than you to pull you up short. Last year, one or two of the actors were my age or older. Not this year. And so comes the feeling that what they see when they look at me is not how I feel inside. They’re seeing the older Claudia, the woman who’s face and grayish hair and not-as-thin-as-she-used-to-be body still shocks her. And I realize that they are meeting me for the first time as this. But I used to be that. And they have no knowledge of that. But I still feel like that. Do you know what I mean?

I know I’m echoing the thoughts of everyone who reaches a certain age. This is nothing new. On one hand, it keeps me on my toes. On the other, it can be depressing. When did this happen? I’ve written about it before – in fact, the title of the post was On Being the Oldest Person in the Room. Theaters are always full of young, energetic people and that’s a good thing. But, boy, the realization that I am no longer part of that group still smacks me upside the head at times.

I came back to my hotel and started work on Alicia Paulson’s design for Maggie Rabbit. I didn’t start on it until about 4 pm, but I managed to create the body, head and ears.

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It took me awhile to make my blanket stitch look presentable. I’m showing you the best side. I did all this while watching the Red Sox and eating some cookies that I snagged from the hotel’s evening buffet.

We’re still doing table work but should finish by the end of the day today. I’ve started on individual coaching sessions and I’ll tell you more about them tomorrow.

Oh. Remember my request for a name for my Teddy Bear? The one that travels with me when I’m on the road? Well, I was falling for William when that sneaky husband of mine left a comment and one of his suggestions was Wayfrum Holmes. I laughed out loud when I read it. So Wayfrum it is. But I think Wayfrum’s middle name will be William.

Happy Tuesday.

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The Start of the Rehearsal Process

April 21, 2013 at 7:21 am by Claudia

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The view from my window. I tend to wake up early and this morning I was able to watch the sun rise and gradually bathe all the taller buildings in light – very welcome after the last two days of gray skies and rain.

I’m tired.

I suppose it’s because I’m not used to a long day in the rehearsal studio. I have to acclimate myself. And my allergies are really bad this spring. Put them together and you will find me falling into bed at 10 pm, barely able keep my eyes open. I’m homesick, too – but that goes without saying.

I thought I might share some of the rehearsal process with you. I’m thinking you might be interested in what goes on in that space of time between the very first rehearsal and Opening Night. Friday was our very first day of rehearsal. The first few hours were spent in a ‘Meet and Greet’ where all of us got to meet each other, as well as members of the theater staff. Then the director shared his concept of the production, along with the model for the set and the costume renderings. We had a break for lunch and then it was time for the first read through of Twelfth Night. For those of us who will be coaching and assisting the director, this was the first time we were able to hear the actors’ voices and get a sense of what they will bring to their roles. Some of these actors I have worked with before. Others are new to me.

After the read through, we started on what is known as Table Work. Table Work involves sitting around – you guessed it – a table and going through the text. In this process, the actors in any given scene share the table with the director, the assistant director, the Dramaturg and the Voice and Text coach (me). We take an initial swing at the text, raising questions, answering questions, clarifying the meaning of Shakespeare’s text and the director’s vision for each scene. Table Work is one of my favorite things to do. I have always loved the communal process of analyzing the script, agreeing, disagreeing and coming up with answers. I learn a lot each time I do Table Work. This part of the process gives me a chance to correct some mispronunciations and clarify some word meanings. But I also have to decide what I’ll correct in that moment and what I will note and share with the actor later, when we work one-on-one.

We are about mid-way through Table Work and by the end of rehearsal Tuesday we should be done and ready to move onto blocking. More about that later. I also will start some of my individual work with the actors later today. I’ll share some of that process with you later in the week.

It’s Sunday. Normally we start rehearsals on a Tuesday but this time we started on Friday and that means I have tomorrow off. I have a book review scheduled for tomorrow’s post – a fascinating biography I think you will like.

Happy Sunday.

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Hartford: Personalizing a Hotel Room

April 19, 2013 at 8:10 am by Claudia

Here I am in Hartford. Same hotel as last year. Same room.

It’s like I never left.

That’s a bit unsettling.

As hotels go, this is a nice one. The staff is very friendly, this particular suite is nice and big, there’s a free breakfast every morning. But the sky outside, both today and yesterday, is gray. It was gray and wintry when I was here for a few days in December and January. Of course, the sky back home is also gray today, but somehow it’s easier to take in my cheery little cottage.

The bed has been transformed:

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The duvet has been stashed in the closet.

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I brought my little traveling Teddy Bear with me. Don gave him to me in 2009 when I was going to be working away from home for 6 months. He’s adorable and a good traveling companion. But it has just hit me: I’ve never given him a name.

Me, who names everything!

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Look at that sweet face! Suggestions?

After doing this sort of thing many times, I’ve learned that living in a temporary space for an extended period of time is tolerable only if I bring along some things from home. When I stayed in San Diego for six months, I used a lot of inexpensive items from Ikea to brighten the space. I haunted my favorite antique shops for pottery and pictures that would personalized the space. If I’m working a long way from home, I pack boxes with pillows and throws and personal tchotchkes. I make sure I have some creative supplies, whether it’s for a quilt or some yarn. I take my camera. And lots of books to read.

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I remember this checked sofa from last year. Not my favorite style. So I covered the back with a quilt I made. It helps a bit. And I brought a favorite vase from home and added some flowers from Trader Joe’s.

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You learn to do what you can to make a temporary space your own. When I move to the apartments, this particular form of decorating will be easier. I won’t be in a sea of brown and beige, the predominant color scheme in this hotel room.

The selection available on the hotel cable is sparse but NESN, the channel for my beloved Red Sox, is available, so I can watch the Sox every night – something I can’t do back home.

And Mabel is sitting on the table, waiting for some action:

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I have a long day ahead – we rehearse until 7 pm. So I’m writing 2 posts this morning, this one and A Favorite Thing.

It’s been a terrible week. My thoughts and prayers are with the city and citizens of Boston and the citizens of West, TX, who have suffered terrible loss. I won’t go into my feelings as to the shameful actions of our Senate this week, except to say that if you have to have a background check to work at Target – and you do – you should have to have an extensive background check to own a gun. Enough said.

Happy Friday.

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A Walk in the Park

The Start of the Rehearsal Process

Hartford: Personalizing a Hotel Room

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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