February 20, 2012

Lecturer: Gavin Maxwell
Lesson One

Today we started by recapping the first part of the prologue, which we blocked last lesson, showing the people who weren't here what they needed to do. Although it was repetitive, I enjoyed doing it because it helped me remember what we did and also helped with the line-learning process.

We then blocked nearly all of the remaining prologue. I found it exciting creating new material, and loved blocking the script. I feel very happy with the way rehearsals are going so far, the show is looking really well done and professional, although as a class, we really need to be more focused.

I came up with the idea of the ensemble showing the worry and dread in the scene between Shaharazad and the Vizier, with Dinazad in the background listening. When this idea was taken on board, and used, it made me feel very proud because I felt useful to the rehearsal.

I pictured my character (Dinazad) as very inquisitive and child-like in this scene. We decided to have her sitting apart from the other two so the audience's attention isn't drawn away from them, and I imagined her pretending to be concentrating on her sewing, but really listening to the grown-up conversation, the way a child would if she knew she wasn't allowed to know.

I think my strength was contributing ideas and thinking in depth about my character and my target is to keep contributing to rehearsals and speak up if I'm not happy with anything.