August 2, 2005

 

     More 'Big Picture' blocking tonight.  We are almost through Act 1.  Most of the time we are blocking one to two pages, and then repeating it to clean up something, then repeating it to tweak something else.  We may run the same couple of pages five or six times before we move on.  I suppose some people would find this irritating but I actually like it.  One can really ensure they know what it is that their character is supposed to do during that time.  And repeating it again and again lets you not worry so much about the exact words you are to say and concentrate on where you should be and what you should be doing.  Obviously, if you are to do something at exactly the time you say a certain word or line, then you need to remember a line more precisely but, otherwise, it seems to flow quite well.

     I caught a bit of a break, in that my character will not be needed until Sunday, so I am "off' for four days.  Whoopee!!

     One other thing worth mentioning: tonight Michelle alluded to how we are really just kind of 'going through the motions' right now.  And she hinted that this was an extremely gut-wrenching play, and that we are getting closer to that time when she will ask each of us to really reach inside, find that 'angst' (if you will) and do our best to project that intensity across the lights to an audience, most of whom may have heard of the "Persecution of the Jews" during WWII, but really have no concept of what that REALLY meant.

     How mind-boggling to learn that there are still people who don't believe "it" ever happened, that "it" was all a hoax perpetrated on the world to gain sympathy.  These are probably the same people who believe that no man has really walked on the moon, that it was all 'staged' on a movie set somewhere.  Sheeesh!!

July 29, 2005

 

     I've often heard "Ignorance is bliss."  In other words, what you don't know can't hurt you.  After last night, I'm not sure that perhaps there is a lot of truth to that.  Following Michelle's suggestion, I decided to do a little research on the internet to see if I could find out anything about the minor character I am trying to portray, Albert Krahler (pronounced KRAH-LER).  What a wonderful tool Google can be.  What's this?  My name isn't really Kraler?  Now I am having an identity crisis!  My character's name is really Victor Kugler!  And Dussel was really named Fritz Pfeffer; Hans Van Daan was really Hermann van Pels; Petronella Van Daan was really Auguste van Pels; Miep's last name was Gies and her husband, Henk, worked in the Dutch underground resistance.  And I found it extremely ironical(?) that Anne's mother's maiden name was Edith Hollander, especially since they ended up in Holland trying to get away from the persecution.  I also read descriptions of my character, most of which are quite opposed to what I had seen him as, so I need to talk to the Director and get her input as to how she wants this character to be.

     One of the things I read struck me as especially poignant:  "Miep and Henk even spent a night in the "Secret Annexe," because the children wanted "to have guests" so badly.  It was a night of terror for them, however, and only the others slept soundly, having grown accustomed to the fear and discomfort."  How can one who has not lived with that kind of horror and/or terror for any length of time, let alone for three years, hope to even come close to projecting that personna to an audience sitting in the comfort of their theatre seats? 

     One other thing I now realize: I may be a 'minor' character in this play but, for three years, Victor Kugler (along with Miep Gies) was the most important person in the lives of eight trapped Jewish people in Nazi occupied Holland.

July 27, 2005.

 

     Tonight's rehearsal seemed to reinforce this feeling that I have had lately that, for this show, one is going to have to be flexible and adapt to whatever comes along.  Because of the Film Festival conflict we were unable to have our second rehearsal at the Playhouse.  Mrs. Van Daan graciously offered her place, overlooking the Boardman river, and so that's where we met.  We did not, as originally scheduled, get into blocking,but that was made somewhat impossible because of the limited space in the apartment.  Rather, we read through the scene we intended to block, sometimes re-reading it a second and third time.  Between times Michelle would share some of her thoughts as to what she saw happening there, or asked us to relate how we saw our character in that situation.  That really helped me start to get a better handle on my character.  It was also captivating to hear how a couple of the people saw their characters, and why they would react 'this way' and not 'that way.'  Everyone is doing quite well thus far, but I really am impressed with the characters that Mr. Van Daan, Mrs. Van Daan and Anne have developed thus far.  When "their character" says something now (as opposed to our first 'speed-though') your/my character is almost forced to react to them 'in character' not just read back the lines in front of you.  To most actors this is probably obvious drivel, but I find it very eye-opening.

     I asked Michelle about facial hair (or not) tonight.  I wondered whether or not I should grow a moustache and/or goatee.  Hey, if Mr. Kraler is Dutch, shouldn't I look like a 'Dutch Master'?  She'll get back to me on it.

July 25, 2005

 

     We had our first 'real' rehearsal tonight.  No blocking yet, but we did have all of our cast here this time.  It was good to see and hear everyone in their part.  I almost didn't make it. Sitting at home, just ready to sign onto my computer, I thought, "I don't think we have anything this week because of the Film Festival, but maybe I should check for sure to see just when I need to be there next."  Boy, was I wrong!  It was 6:27 when I looked at the schedule, and rehearsal was at 6:30.  I was there by 6:35 and the director didn't beat on me.  I think she knew I felt badly enough.

     It appears that my character isn't going to be as "slow" as I had imagined.  I have been prompted to 'not make my words so precious" (i.e., speak a bit faster and without the pauses between).  I will make it a point to work on that. Next rehearsal for me is on the 27th.  We will start blocking Act I, Scene 2.  And Don K. made sure to get a new picture for the web page, now that we have the entire cast together.  As with most productions there are those fits and starts as you start to pick up forward motion and inertia.  It's surprising to me how some of the cast already appear very comfortable with their character and have developed a fairly good sense of timing.  One wonders if that's what the director sees also.

July 20, 2005

 

     This journal could very easily have a title: "How to Succeed in Getting a Part Without Really Trying."  Only two steps involved: 1) Be Male 2) Show up.  Ok, so now you know it.  I didn't really audition; I was 'drafted.'  Funny though, I didn't get offered one of those signing bonuses that other draftees in sports always get. Ah well, those of us with even a little theater background know that the real rewards are not monetary in nature. 

     Our first read-through was tonight.  After the obligatory introductions (nice to see several new-to-the-Playhouse people) and comments/expectations from the Director, we got after it.  I was pleased to see that the Director is not all that concerned with everyone having an accent, although I am more than willing to try to learn one.  I'm cast as Mr. Kraler, a small part with not too many lines and only a couple of scenes, so I think I could pull it off with a bit of practice.  But, for now, no accents.

     Michelle's idea of the first read-through was very interesting.  It was more like a speed-through.  Don't really emote, or put in pauses, or try to be poignant, just read your words.  Fast.  I could speculate as to why she wanted this; maybe to let us hear the whole story without having to read it ourselves (if we haven't already); maybe to get a feel for how each of us would sound in our roles without getting hung up on the intensity of it; or perhaps to get a feel for how/where she needs to direct our efforts.  One thing it did point out to us: How much we needed to look at the pronunciation guide and learn how to say names especially.

     This role, though small, will be a bit more challenging than most I have had.  By nature, I tend to be a rather strong 'presence.'  So of course I do better with roles calling for domineering, outspoken, vociferous, almost 'over the top' characters.  This role seems to call for a much more reserved, compliant, don't-rock-the-boat, know your place, help your fellow man whatever the cost type of person.  Being meek will be a challenge for me.  But hey, that's why it's called "acting", right?