November 19, 2024 

“It’s Crazy How the Book Just Speaks to You!”

Tonight’s session began with a flurry of check-ins and updates as we prepared to dive back into Much Ado About Nothing. Our ensemble was lively, reflecting on the recent rehearsal with a professional director, and it was clear her impact lingered.

“I liked how she directed it,” one participant said. “She gave input, solid input. The emotion. I loved it.” Another reflected, “She ripped me out of my comfort zone. I’ve thought about how I would say it for days... I loved it at the end.” The shared consensus was how her presence pushed members further into their roles and, as one put it, “tweaked a little extra out of everyone.”

The night’s reading began in earnest with Act 3, Scene 3. This scene’s humor resonated, especially Dogberry’s contradictions. “Dogberry’s a contradiction!” someone observed, which prompted laughter and agreement. Later, as we moved through Hero’s shaming in Act 4, Scene 1, the mood grew somber.

“It’s timeless,” one ensemble member remarked about the scene. Another added, “I hate that she’s being shamed.” The conversation turned toward Leonato’s absence from the interrogation. “If only he had gone to the interrogation,” someone noted, bringing a reflective close to the night’s work.

November 21, 2024

Our second session of the week was centered on deeper reflections and shared experiences through “the three questions”:

1. What brings you to Shakespeare?

2. What do you want to get from Shakespeare?

3. What gift can you bring to the room?

The answers were as varied as the ensemble itself. One member shared that her father’s love of acting brought her here: “I want to get closer to him.” Another admitted she joined for confidence and stayed because “This is my comfort zone, my family… I stop everything to be here.” The collective gifts ranged from humor and positivity to camaraderie and vulnerability.

A poignant moment came when one participant expressed nervousness about attending consistently. The group rallied around her. “We like you here, we need you here actually,” one said. Another affirmed, “We think about you when you’re not here!” The room’s energy shifted to one of collective support, a reminder of the power of this work to build community.

Later, we revisited the pivotal scene where Beatrice demands Benedick to “Kill Claudio.” Multiple pairs volunteered to read, and one member quipped, “They always focus on them two [Benedick and Beatrice].” This prompted a suggestion to try the scene “Freeze-style,” allowing multiple interpretations.

Afterwards, discussion turned toward Beatrice’s fierce monologue. “Sometimes we women feel like that,” one member said. “We’re basically second-class citizens.” Another joined her, adding in perfect unison, “And nothing has changed!”

We speculated about Shakespeare’s intentions. Was he ahead of his time? Did his own relationships influence his writing? One member suggested, “Maybe his momma was a boss, maybe it’s the type of woman he desired.” Another reflected on Beatrice: “Not too many women were like her. A pioneer.”