A Midsummer Night's Follow-up Post!

[usernamenumber]

Finished the first weekend of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and wow, what a weekend it was. I'm going to start with the high point and then whinge about the low point last, 'cause I'm in a good mood and I want to start with the good stuff.

I have been having loads of fun with this production. Lysander is *so much more fun* when the setting and direction allow him to be a character unto himself, instead of him and Demetrius just being hapless straight men for Hermia and Helena, who are in turn overshadowed by the mechanicals (at least, that's been my most common experience of the show). In this production, Lysander is a blissed out, perma-stoned hippie, not just in costuming, but in characterization. Aside from giving Egeus an actual reason to not want him anywhere near his daughter, this is a whole lot of fun to do, and Shakespeare's words actually work remarkably well with that interpretation. Then the faeries do their thing, and he gets increasingly crazy as the show progresses, which is a whole different kind of treat to play.

There is also a lot of physical comedy in this production (as well there should be!). So far during every performance I've found new injuries obtained while crawling around on the stage, including a nasty cut down one forearm, none of which I even noticed until backstage and out of the moment. For some reason this makes me really, really happy.

Then to top things off, at our last show of the weekend, which I also think was our best, Michael "A Bloody Deed" Anderson was in attendance, and emailed us afterward about how much he liked the show! He even mentioned my performance (among others) specifically! I am so incredibly squeeified about this, I just... squee! Someone whose work I respect, and who I know knows his Shakespeare, liked the show enough to email us and say Very Nice Things afterward. Eugepae*! :)

So yeah. Having fun. Three shows next weekend: Fri and Sat at 8, and Sun at 3. I hope y'all can make it! (see previous post for other details)


Ok, now for the more contemplative (or, if you will, angsty) part.

I still worry sometimes that my brain is just not wired in a way that is conducive to doing for-reals theater. On opening night, after a remarkably productive and focused day at work, my head was all foggy and I completely blanked on a line. I blanked so badly that I had to go get the script later to confirm that it was me who'd screwed up, let alone what I was supposed to have said (it was "Where is Demetrius? Oh what a fitting word is that vile name to perish on my sword!", in case anyone is curious). Helena covered admirably, but we ended up skipping some important lines as a result.

I'm trying not beating myself up about it, and even succeeding most of the time, and it sounds like the performance overall was still well-received (dietrich, another person whose work I respect and who knows her Shakespeare, saw it and had kind words afterword, which were particularly good to hear at the time), but it's definitely below the standard I want to set for myself, and it gives me pause to think and worry, as I tend to do.

My memory remains one of my biggest concerns about me and theater. The same manic ADHD energy that makes me good at physical comedy and extemporaneous speaking proves an obstacle when I have to say exactly these things in exactly this order. I'm really pleased with myself that I've been as successful as I have at memorizing a role as large as this, which as I've said previously I'd feared I might not be able to do at all, but there are still times when my brain is in "one of those moods", and I don't know how to snap it out of that.

Well, I guess that's not entirely true. After Friday I brought a soda to the performance, and that actually helped. I've found in previous productions that even a little shot of caffeine and sugar before each entrance keeps my head from clouding up too badly. Practice also, of course, helps. I'd gotten through our last two dress rehearsals without a flub, but then we had a day off before opening night, and I wonder if maybe that contributed as well. One thing I know about my brain is that things either make it into long-term memory or atrophy quickly, so I've talked to the director about having a brush-up rehearsal prior to next Friday's performance.

So in short, this remains something that concerns me but I don't think it's an insurmountable obstacle. I just need to figure out what works best for keeping my head clear, and then be diligent about doing it.

* "Eugepae!!" is, by the way, my new Official Latin Motto.

Comments

[lediva.livejournal.com]

"when I have to say exactly these things in exactly this order"

This is why I generally don't do Shakespeare. I don't really trust myself to get every last syllable down pat, and given the form, every last one really matters. I mean, I like to think I get lines down when I actually study them for a show, but I do think it's easier when the style is closer to speech I'm used to.

Also, I Am Not A Doctor, but I know a lot of people who have actually been diagnosed with ADHD benefit with caffeine or some other stimulant. So... I guess a shot of soda helping doesn't surprise me. :)

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. And I also have prescription stimulants toward the same end, but I'd be hesitant to use one of them before a show, because I try to be as sparing as possible with the stuff.

Re the lines, you're right. It's particularly tough with Shakespeare, and to be honest I still think this is a weak point for me. I've at least internalized the rhythm of iambic pentameter enough to be confident that what I'm saying scans, but there are still problem places where the original language is just so odd relative to the way we speak nowadays. For example, I kept saying "Through thy bosom I can see thy heart", when the actual line is "Through thy bosom makes me see thy heart". I mean... what? ;)

[laura47.livejournal.com]

Argh, I forgot about your show and I'm out of town next weekend. :( :(

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

I'm told there will be a video if you're *really* curious. Sad you won't be able to make it in person, though!

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Excellent use of that icon.

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

Figuring out how to get the best performance out of yourself is a lifelong process for an actor. And going up on one's lines is a very common experience. I'm really good at memorizing lines and I've done it twice during runs of Equus. Fortuitously, not during actual performances--yet! knock on wood!--but that feels to me like chance. Minds are tricksy things. And I will also say that physical comedy is one of the hardest things for me as a performer and I am deeply envious of anyone for whom it comes easily--so there! You should be incredibly proud of yourself for moving out of your comfort zone like this. I'm looking forward to seeing your closing show!

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much. I'm hoping to catch Equus on Saturday!

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

I'll look for you! One of the perks of this role is that I actually spend a fair amount of time looking out at the crowd.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Hey, I just wanted to say I'm very sorry I missed Equus today. Some personal stuff came up and I just had to prioritize, despite supporting T@F being very important to me. I hope the show and your remaining performance go great, and if there's a video, I'd still love to see it. :)

[nurrynur.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed the show and I probably wouldn't have noticed at all if you missed a few lines or said the wrong thing! I was too busy laughing at all the shenanigans.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! :)