Dear AOL Cast Members:
Congratulations on being a part of our Drama troupe for the classic play "Arsenic and Old Lace!"!
We had a first reading of Act One this last Wednesday night.. Thanks to all who participated. It was a good start, and we hope to improve every practice.
Everyone needs to get their own copy of the script, if you do not have one. They are available at the bank in Bancroft.
Make your copy of the script a new best friend! Do not put it somewhere and leave it until the next time we meet. Use this time to get ready for your great performance as your character!
Read through the entire play. Then read through in again, paying attention especially your character's lines and cues. Then read through it once more, focusing on stage directions.
Work on learning your lines. Do not put it off. Work on them each day, if possible. Day by day you will get them down. fi you put it off, it makes learning them a more difficult task for each day that you postpone the process.
We know those with more lines will take longer learning them. But that means you must use the time we have now to learn them. By the same token, those with fewer lines should learn their lines more quickly.
Job One is learning your lines -- this sets up everything else we will do. Job Two is learning your cues -- other character lines before and after yours, plus stage directions. Job Three is learning your stage movements, facial expressions, blocking, etc. Job Four is to become comfortable with your character so that you become that character when you are on stage.
As you read your lines, remember that your face and your expressions will help accentuate the lines. Think about appropriate facial expressions. Work on them with other actors or friends. Rehearse them in from on a mirror.
As a part of a performing theater troupe, we are all dependent on each other in the play, and we have responsibilities to each other. The old line "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link" comes to mind. You must learn your lines and deliver them with clarity in order to cue others for their lines. It all works together like making a quilt or a tapestry. Every stitch (every line) counts towards the whole.
We have time to perfect it, but each line must be delivered so the audience can hear it and the other cast members can react to it. We need to convey the meaning of the playwright, with appropriate timing and punch, in order to help people enjoy the play. It is a comedy, and we hope to help them laugh and smile.
If you do not learn your lines, you let the other cast members down, and more importantly, you let the audience down, and lastly, you let yourself down, because you are not being the best you can be,
We are blessed to have the resource of the fine old movie version of the play. Rent it, buy it for a few bucks on Amazon, watch it on Netflix, but use it as a help. You do not have to copy the movie performances, but let yourself be informed and inspired by them. There are some differences, but much of the movie is the same as the play. And if you feel you should copy the performances in the movie, because you enjoy it so much, that is fine, There are excellent performances in the movie version.
So please begin learning your lines! it is the foundation for all that comes after it in your creating the character that you will be in the play.
Our next reading session is next Wednesday, June 8 at 7 PM in Bancroft. We will read Act Two -- if you are not in Act 2, you may rest at home, but please study your lines! The next Tuesday, June 14 we will read Act 3 at 7 PM.
Please come to these rehearsals. If you cannot make it, please email me.
Check out the play blog for other information each week. Google backstagebancroft or click http://backstagebancroft.blogspot.com/
Count the days until the First Performance of Backstage in Bancroft AOL!
Sincerely,
Glenn Wilson
Director, AOL
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