This week’s session was all about stepping into roles with confidence. After gathering and checking in, we moved quickly into auditions for the remaining parts in The Comedy of Errors. With most roles already filled, the focus was on giving participants the chance to explore characters and try bold choices in front of the ensemble.

One by one, participants stepped forward to audition. Some came in prepared and ready, while others battled nerves as they delivered their monologues. Still, each actor brought something unique to the room. One performance earned a roaring round of applause for the clear choices and energy behind it. Another participant joked “Good lord!” mid-monologue while navigating the complexity of Egeon’s speech, prompting laughter and supportive encouragement from the group.

Facilitator Liv Morris offered thoughtful feedback throughout, encouraging performers to stay grounded in their bodies and bring greater specificity to their choices. At one point, the group reflected on the length of a speech in the show, with a participant joking, “We need to cut that down. Even I got lost in that.” The conversation sparked a larger discussion about balancing Shakespeare’s storytelling with pacing that keeps an audience engaged.

Facilitators Sam Aupperlee, Liv Morris, and Sophia Esch also jumped into the audition round, offering readings alongside the ensemble to keep the momentum moving. The room was full of laughter when one participant delivered the Duke from behind the podium in a playful voice that completely transformed the moment.

After auditions, we checked in about how everyone felt. Some participants shared that nerves were their biggest challenge, especially when thinking about memorization. We reminded the group that while memorization is encouraged, the real goal is to deepen connection with the text and the character.

One ensemble member captured the spirit of the evening perfectly: “It was exciting the first time. This time you got to own your character.”

We closed the session with games — Gibberish Rap, Fairytale storytelling, and the Counting Game — before ending the night by raising the ring together.