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The ensemble gathered for its final performance of The Comedy of Errors with an unmistakable sense of excitement. From the moment everyone arrived, the room buzzed with energy. Costumes were adjusted, props were set, and conversations flowed as the cast prepared to share the show one last time.

We came together for our traditional check-in and ring. Participants shared their joy and gratitude for the process and the ensemble. One member thanked the entire group for their work. The audience settled in, the ensemble warmed up, and the performance began.

Performance day had finally arrived.

After months of rehearsals, line work, blocking, script discussions, and countless hours spent building The Comedy of Errors together, the ensemble gathered to share the show with an audience. There was excitement in the room from the moment people arrived. Cast members prepared costumes and props, greeted audience members as they entered, and worked through those familiar pre-show nerves that come with any opening night.

The excitement surrounding our upcoming performances was impossible to miss this week. As the ensemble gathered for our final dress rehearsal, conversations buzzed with anticipation about opening night, the sign up sheets being up, and the opportunity to finally share months of work with others.

We began the evening with check-ins and the ring. Several ensemble members offered powerful reflections about resilience, growth, and the importance of continuing forward despite challenges. One participant shared that she has recently begun speaking openly about parts of her past as part of what she described as her healing journey. Another reflected on the significance of the program itself, expressing gratitude for the creative space the ensemble has built together over the course of the season.

With the instruments cleared away, set-up was surprisingly smooth, allowing us to focus almost immediately on what mattered most: the show. After gathering together, checking in, and raising the ring, the ensemble prepared for another full run of The Comedy of Errors.

The evening began with exciting news as the group celebrated the approval of funding that will support future creative opportunities. The conversation quickly turned toward the upcoming performances and the growing momentum behind the production. There is a palpable sense that the ensemble knows opening night is near.

We started the session by clearing the room and setting up all of the set pieces and props for the show. Before long, the room shifted fully into performance mode as the ensemble gathered, checked in, and raised the ring together.

Tonight marked the first of our three official dress rehearsals for The Comedy of Errors. With props in place and the full environment beginning to come together, the show suddenly felt very real. Fisher-Grant stepped in as the Duke while I filled in as the Courtesan so we could keep the run moving smoothly.

We arrived with props in hand and jumped almost immediately into rehearsal mode. Before we began, an ensemble member and I organized art supplies and unlocked the back room so prop and costume work could continue alongside the performance process. Even with several people absent, the room quickly filled with energy, laughter, and focus as we checked in and raised the ring together.

The evening began with preparations for props and art supplies as the ensemble continued building the visual world of The Comedy of Errors. Santillan and I worked on gathering materials while the ensemble checked in and prepared for another rehearsal focused on transitions, movement, and pacing.

As the group worked through scene changes, members collaborated on entrances, exits, and backstage responsibilities. Conversations drifted between props, paper mâché techniques, and life beyond the rehearsal room. One participant reflected, “Sometimes I’m like… I can’t believe I’m in prison, only up from here. This is as low as I want to go.” Another participant shared that she is becoming certified as a recovery coach and hopes to teach recovery work in the future, highlighting the ways growth and transformation continue alongside the artistic process.

The ensemble entered rehearsal with high energy and lots of conversation, ranging from Mother’s Day reflections to music, rap, and performance ideas for the future summer project. One participant shared a rap with the group, encouraged by another ensemble member, sparking a conversation about how every future summer show should include a rap battle. “You gotta have a hook,” one ensemble member joked as the room filled with laughter and creativity.

After check-ins and the ring, the group jumped quickly into a full run of The Comedy of Errors. Facilitators and ensemble members filled in missing roles to keep the pace moving. The energy throughout the room stayed high, with several participants bringing strong comedic instincts and playful experimentation into the work. One participant especially embraced trying different accents throughout the rehearsal, bringing spontaneity and joy into the room.

This session focused on imagining the future of the summer writing project and exploring what it means to create original work together. The ensemble reflected on last year’s performances and discussed how writing can create opportunities for voices, stories, and experiences to be shared in new ways.

The ensemble jumped into rehearsal almost immediately after arriving, energized by the arrival of props and new creative possibilities. The session focused heavily on pacing, scene work, and refining the growing world of The Comedy of Errors. Ensemble members filled in for missing roles throughout the evening, creating a collaborative rehearsal room where everyone supported one another and kept the show moving forward.

As the run progressed, the ensemble continued strengthening blocking, entrances, exits, and physical comedy. One participant brought huge energy and variety to Dromio (S), while others explored stronger vocal choices, clearer pacing, and more dynamic movement. The group also experimented with staging details, including placement of the fountain prop and new approaches to slapstick moments. A particularly funny moment came when one participant hid behind a tree during the jailer scene, bringing laughter to the room.