REHEARSAL WITH CAST MEMBERS

The definition of digest is: to obtain information, ideas, or principles from; assimilate mentally; to arrange methodically in the mind; think over,to arrange in convenient or methodical order; to condense, abridge, or summarize.

I spent the evening of June 2 observing the cast of “Inherit The Wind” at their second rehearsal. I’m still digesting it.

As I observed the group of people coming together to rehearse I was taken with what a diverse group they were—young, middle-aged, older, a couple, a student, an entrepreneur, a pastor and his wife (the movie star, the professor and Mary Ann, here on Gilligans Isle).

The room became electric. As the size of the group grew the buzz grew, too. Each person arriving brought their own special something to the group. It was evident as each person arrived they were leaving behind whatever the day had held for them, stresses, exhaustion, busyness. Coming together, there was a comraderie evident among the group. This is local theater. These folks are doing this because it gives them joy, it fulfills a need for them, and it shows. Each actor works to get it right.

On this evening they are working on courtroom dialog. Joe, as Henry Drummond, is grilling Brady. The townspeople are assembled as spectators in the courtroom, and are referred to as the “Greek Chorus.” Director, Christopher Weaver, works with them to help get the level, volume, and rise and fall of their reactions to match, and enhance, the action on the witness stand. Each one makes notes in the margins of “the book” marking what and where their reactions are needed. Christopher directs them like a choir, encouraging, tempering, shushing. He’s excited and clearly communicates his vision.

Joe says that the director is in charge until the performances begin, then the stage manager takes over. In fact, he told about one play where the director went to Chicago on opening night (yikes!). Tonight the part of the judge is being read by stage manager, Terri Foley. She is a woman of many talents, organized, and anticipating the needs of the group. This cast will be in good hands when the performances begin. Terri is also responsible for communicating pertinent information to all of the cast members. I think she must LOVE having email to do this!

I have no way to measure, or compare, but this seems like a successful evening to me. They are not required to be “off book” until July. Seems like Joe is about where he should be for that to be doable. Because at the moment, dialog is sometimes being paraphrased, the cues are hard to catch occassionally, and blocking work is being put off until there is a designer to build the set, but in all, this cast seems well on their way.

Our differences are what make us interesting to one another. The vocation we choose combined with our avocation(s), our relationships, our faith (or lack of), and our history meld each of us into the unique person we become. Even superficially, one can see that this is a cast of interesting, unique and fun people, all doing something they love.