There’s something awfully comforting about seeing this quilt on the hotel room bed. Even better: being tucked under it at night. Duvet, schmuvet….I like my quilt.
My word, it was cold yesterday! Windy, cold, and more like the beginning of March than the end of April. Since I brought only a jean jacket with me – no hat, no gloves – to say I was uncomfortable is putting it mildly. This is the strangest spring I can remember. Today, however, promises to be warmer and I’m counting on that. I want spring, thank you very much.
After writing yesterday’s post and spending 4 hours at rehearsal, I called Don on a break. He informed me that I had a typo in the post: I had typed Sunday instead of sunny. Oy. I find it amazing that I can type a post, proofread it more than once, and still miss an error. Alas, I couldn’t fix it until I got back to the hotel. Those pesky typos drive me crazy, slightly reformed perfectionist that I am.
We finished our table work yesterday and now we move on to a schedule that has me in and out of rehearsal throughout the day. The other day, I mentioned the one-on-one work I do with actors. I started those sessions on Sunday and will be doing more today. What is one-on-one work? Well, it can be several things. Right now, it’s a chance for me to meet with individual actors, get to know them a bit, and to go through their lines together. I point out pronunciations and words that need to be stressed within the framework of iambic pentameter. What is iambic pentameter? It’s the meter in which Shakespeare (and others) wrote. It measures the number of syllables in a line of text which fall into a natural rhythm. An iamb is two syllables or beats, consisting of an unstressed syllable and a stressed syllable. Pentameter refers to the fact that there are 5 iambs in a line or ten beats.
Example: “If music be the food of love play on.” (The first line in the play, spoken by Orsino.)
Using iambic pentameter as our guide, and starting with an unstressed syllable, we get:
If MUsic BE the FOOD of LOVE play ON. (da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM.)
Shakespeare was brilliant. By using iambic pentameter, he gave all the clues an actor needs to find the meaning in a line of text and the way it should be expressed. It’s also been said that an iamb mimics our own heartbeat. There is a natural quality to speaking this way. Though to a newcomer it might seem constricting, actually it’s freeing once you get it. The challenge for the actor is to take this structure, this meter, and speak it in a way that isn’t sing-songy, but is heightened and natural at the same time.
In the poetic sections of text (Shakespeare also wrote in prose) there are usually 10 beats to a line. Sometimes, there are 11. Occasionally, 12. Sometimes the normal rhythm of an iamb is changed to a trochee where the stress is on the first syllable and the second syllable is unstressed. Or a spondee: two stressed syllables in a row, followed by two unstressed syllables. Iambic pentameter is by far the most prevalent metrical stress used in Shakespeare and when it varies it always gives a clue as to what is happening in the scene and what heightened emotions or changes the character is going through.
This all sounds highly technical, but once an actor learns the art of scansion, which is going through each line of the text and marking the stresses, he has the framework in place to begin his interpretation of the character he is playing.
I spend time with the actor on just that in the first individual sessions. And if there is a line of text that doesn’t easily fall into 10 syllables, 5 beats, we work at it like detectives and try to figure out just what Shakespeare wanted in that line. I also point out words that need to be heightened in the way they are uttered because our contemporary way of speaking words can creep in and that’s a no no. This is elevated text.
That, in a nutshell, is what we do in our first session together. As we move further into the rehearsal process, we tackle the voice, breath, how to handle long, complicated thoughts on one breath, speaking clearly and fully. If I or the director notice something that needs to be addressed, I schedule a session with the actor. But there will be more on that later.
While I’m working individually, the director is beginning the process of blocking the play. Blocking = the positions and movements of the characters in a scene. Every director does this differently. Some chart it in detail before the rehearsal, others have a general idea of what they want and make decisions during the rehearsal itself. Many rely on the actors’ instincts, as well. It can be a very collaborative process. In this particular production, the set is a complicated labyrinth of boxwood hedges, as in a formal garden. The actors will be in and out of the maze, appearing, disappearing, and even walking on top of the hedges. So the blocking is even more complicated than normal. But Darko, the director, is brilliant at that sort of thing. He loves the challenge and his background is in movement, so he sees things as a sort of dance. This is going to be an amazing visual treat.
Whew! I hope this wasn’t too much information. It’s a challenge to put into words a process I know like the back of my hand.
Oh, I forgot to include one other little creature who travels with me:
Little lamb. When I finish Maggie Rabbit, there will be four of us here: Wayfrum, Little Lamb, Maggie Rabbit and me. But I can’t finish Maggie Rabbit because I forgot to bring some Polyfil with me! Dang it. Very frustrating, indeed.
Happy Wednesday.
I love how you take a piece of home with you on the road. One small thing can be so comforting.
It sure can, Ann.
Claudia, I write my post…read it..re-read it..post it and then see the typo’s…LOL I know some people read it and think , she’s totally uneducated. Oh who cares, right? I am happy you brought your quilt…you are too far and too long from your sweet husband, at times. You need that comfort. I learned a long time ago, when going on a vacation….take a top coat and a bikini.LOL, cause you never know what the weather will be. xoxo,Susie
No bikinis for me anymore, Susie!
I am just wondering,when Don was in Prague,did he go thru this process? If that’s not to personal? I Love reading about the process. Of course we never did anything like that in High School. Even in San Francisco! Love your blog! -Judy A-
No, Don was filming and that’s a totally different process. And it wasn’t Shakespeare. When you’re filming, you memorize your lines and have the luxury of doing it over if it the first take isn’t good. And once it’s on film, you don’t have to do it again and again like you do in theater. Also you can talk at a normal volume level because the mic is right over your head and it can pick up subtle changes in volume.
WOW, Fascinating! Thank-You.
Very, very interesting. I’m more cognizant of the way people are doing “uptalk” now than ever before. I’ll sometimes ask if they are asking me a question as that’s the way it sounds. And, truly, I get caught up in it sometimes but I try to make it a point to not do it. Sometimes it’s rather hard though. I notice it with just about everyone anymore. Wish they could get some speaking lessons. Why don’t teachers correct this and their grammar anymore. “I hear ‘me and him’ are going on a date” all the time! And these are educated people! It drives me nuts to hear the way people speak anymore. If the teachers don’t correct them they’ll sound ignorant when they get into the working world. Okay, off my soapbox now and off to the shower. Got a lunch date with a girlfriend! Woohoo!
xoxo,
Connie
Oh, don’t get me started on that one! You know I that I completely agree with you.
I just want to scream when my youngest repeats the word “like” in between every other word, but try as I might, I’m not her biological mother and even though I have a lot of influence I cannot come down hard on that subject or I’ll be shut out………..very frustrating. I raised my two other children to pronounce words correctly and speak clearly and properly whilst growing up. I’m so anal with language (I used to read the dictionary for fun growing up), but I’ve learned to curb my tongue in my old age……..no one likes to be corrected all the time. My husband is another case entirely, I correct him all the time, and he still loves me……….ha ha! However, on my blog I let myself go and use incorrect grammar and language all the time…….I guess it’s my rebellious side.
Hugs,
Meri
We all have to have a rebellious side, Meri! More power to you!
You have some interesting traveling companions! Sounds like fun!
Judy
Hope you’re doing well, Judy!
Well, I am impressed. It all makes sense but complicated.
Don must be like my Hubby. He is quite the proof reader. He can find a mistake that no one else can find. He was going through some contracts from work and found a mistake that no one caught. It must just take a special eye.
I’m glad that you have some serious tagalongs since your work is so uncomplicated, hah.
My work is complicated, but fun…usually.
Claudia, this is all so interesting! I once thought I wanted to be an actor! I had the lead in my high school play and eve pursued more courses in college, but alas it was not meant to be. Still that ‘bug’ has always been there. So this is great fun to learn more about real life acting from you. Oh and I too can proof my blog and still miss typos! ugh!
Wishing you some warmer weather!
hugs, Linda
It seems to be a bit warmer today, Linda. And it’s sunny!
Oh Claudia – you brought back fond memories of English class. Shakespeare was my favourite! J
So happy this brought back good memories, Julie!
I have learned so much reading your posts. They are always very interesting. Thanks for sharing with us. My daughter’s friend got a call back to Broadway for a part in Matilda. We are so excited for her.
Oh yay! That’s the musical that’s coming over from England, isn’t it? Based on a Roald Dahl story? Be sure to let me know what happens!
Lovely little lamb!!
Thanks, Suzan.
It’s great to learn more about what you do! I hope it warms up there. Goodness.. I hope you can find some stuffing for Maggie!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Thanks, Teresa.
Thanks for taking the time to explain all that you do…I had no idea! Now, didn’t you learn to always pack an extra sweater?? Sure hope it warms up for you. It’s going to be about 70 this weekend…can’t wait! ;)
I have a sweater but it was so cold yesterday that it wasn’t enough!
Fascinating to learn about blocking, something I never knew. I taught a Grade 9 English class yesterday. They were working on translating the prologue of Romeo and Juliet into modern English. Shakespeare’s language is so lovely, even when it’s bawdy.
I hope the weather warms up for you.
It is lovely, indeed, Lorrie.
Interesting work you do! I have a friend who was a Shakespeare actor, here in Chicago. Next time you have a break, could you run out and buy some Polyfill so that you can finish the rabbit?
I am learning so much about acting from you Don..stage & film..We who have the pleasure of sitting back and watching these things don’t realize how much work goes into it..It gives me a whole new appreciation for actors..I am also glad to see that you named the bear Wayfrum Holmes..I had a good laugh when I saw that Don suggested that name..very clever..Little Lamb is just so adorable & I am anxious to meet Miss Maggie Rabbit..Hugs!
April has been a bit like March here in my area as well this year!
I think of you as taking your “blankie” along : )
it IS alot of information but it is interesting so keep telling us all about it and we’ll be reading! :)
Claudia if you just need the sort of Polyfil that one purchases to stuff pillows with I have some at my house and can mail some if you want to email me the address there. Should only be a two day shipping lane…or I could Fedex from my office tomorrow. debrapugh@comcast.net / let me know :)
This is all so very interesting. I am learning something very, very new to me. So exciting to see what is put into the productions we enjoy so much. Thank you Claudia!
Thanks for sharing how you work with the actors. It’s terribly interesting!