Saturday, January 25, 2014

What?! No book work or table read...Hmm

I am once again in rehearsal for an amazing show. And something ocurred to me. The last few musicals I have been in, with the exception of new work, there has been no table read. Day 1 of rehersal begins with learning music and Day 2 is movement or dance, and Day 3 begins staging. The only problem is the characters are being developed on the fly. The words and lyrics are coming together, but at the start they are missing some depth because the actors did not bond through a table read.

For those who are not in the business, a table read is when the actors sit around with the creative team and read through the lines and lyrics without music or commentary. It allows for individuals to hear what is being said and begin to create cerebral relationships. This is imperative in a musical because actors are given the responsibility to tell a story through words, lyrics, and dance. Some light and funny scripts create 2-dimensional characters on the page. But, the table read and a conversation with the creative team before leaping in can provide some depth and meaning to the laughs.

Lately, this has been missing. And guess what?! We notice. The actors feel disconnected to the script and lyrics at the start. We feel disconnected from each other and the creative team. And this can lead to a disconnected process. Do not get me wrong. We are all professional and can make the magic happen despite the missing link. But, we owe it to ourselves and to the work to make sure that we are always singing, acting, and dancing from the soul. We miss out on making the characters an extension of ourselves and not simply a recreation of what was just done by the previous actor who played the same role. And then we are simply dialing it in, and missing out on the supernatural magic that occurs when a real connection is discovered and shared. This spark usually occurs during the table read so please bring them back. Actors are missing them.


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Workshop energy - Experiencing something new

The last 2 days have reminded me of the beauty of storytelling that can be found in the pages of scripts and lyrics. I have been surrounded by fresh stories that are not related to budget cuts, poor decisions at the School District of Philadelphia, or the creativity that is being ripped from our classrooms as a result of standardized testing. I have been reminded in a beautiful home filled with textile and visual art that creative energy is the best energy to be around.

I had almost forgot about emotional arcs and finding personal connections with spoken word. The ability to make sweet harmonies with a variety of amazing voices. And the inherent beauty in lyrics expressing the silence between scenes.

Yes! I have missed this for the past few months and I am excited to be back and I cannot wait until tomorrow.

As an aside, imagine if all of our children and more adults experienced more moments like this for the rest of their lives.

Friday, January 3, 2014

2014 is the year of greatness!

As artists, we are always improving and reinventing what we want our artistic life to look like. At times we are faced with obstacles that may appear overwhelming or we lose confidence that we are on the right path. The power of being an artist is that we are very accustomed to keeping it moving no matter what. This is what makes us working artists. There are those that claim to be artists but they are really dreamers who continue to be afraid to get up off of the coach or afraid to face any of their weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Or even worse, they sit there attempting to invite you to their personal pity party with insults and negative comments. This 2014 message is not for them. This is for those of us that are always working towards making each year better than the last. The select few who at times make $15,000 per year look and feel like $100,000.

I plan on attending even more auditions, creating more artistic opportunities locally and regionally, and living my dream to the fullest. I am building even more networks and creating more space in my life for me to find joy in the music, the lines, and my writing. This includes making sure that each new project is even more financially and artistically viable than the the last. Confessions of a Single Black Actress Parent continues to be a self-reflection and observation that I share in order to bring light to others and a little laughter. Because at times this shit can be so difficult you can only laugh once you are on the other side.  And I am taking it world wide! So naysayers sit down and pay attention. Or even better, shut up!

So embrace all the talents that make you amazing. Continue to stretch and grow through your weaknesses that have continually held you back or simply kept you from that next step. Fear makes for a great adrenaline rush but it should not be a constant companion. Struggle keeps you humble but it should not be the gift that keeps on giving. Prayer is not simply a convenience, it and faith are the life blood that flows in all of us always making sure that we reach the greater destination that God has for us all. And first of all, start each new year with a does of Honesty and Truth. Look in the mirror and ask the real questions because this is no time for us to bullshit ourselves about a reality that simply cannot exist. It is time for those who have put in the real work to reap the harvest.

I have some great things planned in 2014. Some have already begun and some are just beyond the horizon waiting to manifest. So stay tuned because I am in this to win it!  And hopefully, so are you.