I arrived a bit late, waiting on materials for our Hamlet work, but the group was already gathered and ready to begin. After a quick check-in, we dove into Act 5, Scene 1 of Hamlet, with ensemble members stepping into the Gravedigger scene and immediately finding moments of humor and rhythm in the text.

We spent time discussing how to adapt the final scene for a smaller group, problem-solving together and identifying what could be trimmed while still honoring the story. From there, we shifted back into The Comedy of Errors, continuing our work through Act 1, Scene 2.

One of the most exciting moments of the night came when a participant asked, “How do I act that?” It opened up a rich conversation about playing actions instead of emotions – focusing on what a character is doing rather than how they feel. She immediately began applying the note, and the shift was clear.

Throughout the rehearsal, ideas were flying. Participants explored physical comedy, experimented with reactions, and even suggested adding sound elements like drum hits to heighten moments of impact. The room was full of creativity, even as we navigated moments of distraction and worked to stay focused.

We closed by revisiting Hamlet, where the group had already begun shaping casting ideas for the Volunteer Appreciation Event (VAE). Even in its early stages, there was a strong sense of ownership and excitement around the piece.