Tuesday / October 22 / 2019
Written by Lauren

Today a number of new members were added to the ensemble! We started out by doing our usual orientation, playing a name game, them teaching them The Ring exercise. In traditional new-member form, we then asked each person our three questions: What brings you to Shakespeare? What do you hope to get out of the experience? What gifts do you bring to the group? Many people said they wanted something new to do, and were looking to get out of their comfort zone. One woman has a background in literature, and another is just a big fan of Shakespeare. This is looking to be an invested group of new members!

After the three questions, the floor was opened to returning ensemble members to share their experiences in the group. The first woman to speak explained how the group often operated like a family. She started out feeling “crippled,” but now she doesn’t hesitate to jump into a script. In her first year, doing monologue work helped her relate to her own life experiences. In her time with SIP, she has grown as a person, and has learned how to express herself through writing. She added that she appreciates the respect and dedication that the facilitators bring to the group, and that the group has been her primary source of healing.

The next woman said she was nervous starting out, but ultimately the group saved her. Even if she isn’t involved in every aspect of every session, just being present helps her state of mind. Another woman, who is now in her second year, also said she was nervous starting out, but coming to the group helps her get through the week. She also mentioned that she is looking to have a bigger role this year. The final woman to comment started out saying, “I don’t know, I just changed, man!” She got through her initial stage fright after initially deciding she wasn’t going to be a performer and ended up on stage!

We rounded out the session with one woman giving the new members a summary of the play thus far, while another woman chimed in with additions. This should get everyone on the same page for continuing the play at our next meeting!

Friday / October 25 / 2019
Written by Lauren

Tonight we had a small group. Given attendance, we decided not to continue reading the play, but to discuss the material we have already read. One member shared thoughts that she had in regards to staging the play. She called the concept, “Two Sides to Every Story”. Her thought is that Hamlet would be present during all of the scenes where others are conspiring. He could be hiding behind a room-divider or a piece of furniture. We also discussed the logistics of setting up flats in a way that Hamlet and/or the ghost could walk behind them and be slightly concealed but still obviously present to the audience.

We ran the “play within a play” and started to discuss it. In discovering sarcastic humor in Hamlet’s character, one woman said that Hamlet is like life. You HAVE to laugh through the depression. Another woman added that she totally sees the humor and sarcasm in Hamlet’s character. Yet another woman added that the play within the play is really deep, but she wanted someone else to elaborate! This led to discussing the role of Gertrude and her mirrored counterpart in the “play.” The discussion focused on whether she was privy to the murder of the king, and why Hamlet would have written his motherly character in the “play” to deny the new king’s advances before marrying him. The consensus was that she was written to try and save face.

While discussing this, another woman discovered in her book a history of women playing the role of Hamlet. This opened discussion of how the dynamics would change between Hamlet and Ophelia, or Hamlet and Horatio, at the end. The same woman added that it will be interesting to see how our Hamlet will be portrayed with his descent into madness. Another suggested that he could just be pretending to be crazy before actually going mad. The two women discussed Hamlet’s potential turning point, and agreed that it is likely the murder of Polonius.