Hot hot heat in the rehearsal hall today. It prompted a spontaneous popsicle party (but not real popsicles…). Brad thought they would simultaneously cool us down and perhaps provide enough of a sugar high to get us through to the end of the day. I think it worked.

Today we started back at the beginning.

We worked our way through the first half of the first act, going through each scene three times:
- once just for lines, at double time – focusing on articulation*
- once for blocking, double time – ensuring the actors feel in control
- once with all of the above + acting (oh, that.)

I got to use my outside voice(!) to indicate where the beats were in the script when we came upon scenes in which the pace had become (is it possible?) a little too fast – or rather, had lost some of its original specificity. Keeping each moment, reaction and choice entirely in the present tense.

I think the actors really appreciated the work we did today. It gave them a chance to ask any outstanding character or technical questions, as well as the opportunity to explore new choices.

If nothing else, I had a great day. And really, isn’t that what’s important? How the assistant director feels?

-- Bri

* Brad has posted a giant letter “H” in the rehearsal hall as a reminder…