Written by Olivia
Tuesday, October 27
Tuesday, we were unable to hold session due to changes with WHV’s internal system. We missed everyone, and were glad to be reunited on Thursday!
Thursday, October 29
When we arrive on Thursday, it’s clear that it’s going to be a big reading night. As November creeps up and the ensemble is getting excited to cut and cast the show, the energy and drive to read as much as possible is high! The ensemble settles in, and opens up the evening with a conversation about memorization, commitment, and attendance. In my first season with SIP, it continues to strike me how much this ensemble cares about creating the best possible show, and how they push each other to do so. One member says “I think we should be holding each other more accountable to the attendance policy so that we can make the show really good.” Another discusses that when the big roles are memorized, the audience is more impressed and has more fun. We reflect on how memorization may improve the audience experience by allowing actors to connect with the audience. Of course – you can never overstate the importance of sword fighting on the audience experience! One member states that the audience will love the show no matter what because “This is a show with swordfighting. That will have the people on the edge of their seats.” Who can aruge with that? Regardless of the method of audience engagement, it’s overwhelmingly clear that the ensemble has been considering who they’ll perform for and tailoring their creative choices for those people from the very beginning.
Week to week, the ensemble has gotten more confident in their reading and acting skills, as well! An ensemble member states that they’re ready to run these scenes up on their feet as they read. She says “We’re not novices anymore. We’re advanced. We’re seasoned.” And it’s true – each week, more people volunteer to read, and stand tall while they do it. They take acting risks and make strong character choices. It’s so fun to see! Today was no exception. We fly through four scenes in order to finish Act Three. After a quick recap, we jump into Act 3 Scene 3.
After reading this scene, we discuss how the children of Lear and Gloucester are being truly deceitful. One member declares “This is basically treason!” and another says: “They’re making it clear – the new generation is coming.” Throughout the play, we’ve repeatedly seen themes of ageism, which the ensemble seems intrigued by.
When we jump into Act 3 Scene 4, the ensemble’s confidence and skill is really apparent. The member who reads Kent (typically a quieter member) is loud, bold, and commanding. The participant reading Lear is passionate and intense – the ensemble snaps, cheers, and compliments her as she reads. The member reading Edgar makes us all laugh and commits to her comedic choices. It makes me so excited to start staging these scenes when the time comes.
We make it to the last scene in Act Three with just 10 minutes left in the session. But these committed members are dedicated to finishing the act! We jump into the gruesome scene in which Gloucester is blinded by Cornwall. The ensemble, of course, has a big reaction to this! It felt like a good bookend to finish the session with a scene that includes a big sword fight. We were certainly on the edge of our seats!