chatter from the Library Monkey

wrong time to be a director

Play will be good.

The following may sound like a letter, since it is.

I like — when I am directing to call actors over individually and talk to them (1 on 1). At that point I usually do the management sandwich– == I tell the person what I think they are doing right or well, then point out what I would like changed (and often why) and then I mention something else I like. I sort of did that with Casey, but it was in front of everyone. When you do it in front of everyone, they only remember the bad part, not the stuff you say good.

The worse thing about having to tell her stuff in front of everone is the fact that often everyone knows of which I speak. Casey has these nice little dance routines worked out, not what I wanted, but they work — and she put a lot of work into them. But she would end each of them by going up to a character and kind of humping their leg, not what she intended, but the end result. Because of the humping or just the ‘in your face’ aspect each time she did that the characters were uncomfortable and out of character. [In other words if some one did that in real life --- seemingly all the time --- there would be someone who would punch them out.] There is this weird thing about theatre, to work, is you have to have some parity. A simple example would be everyone has to talk loud, if any one doesn’t, they aren’t heard. Or if something is really funny, but detracts from the play, it has to be removed or it hurts the play.

It has to be in context. When I ask about North Country and the environment and if parents send their kids away to get rid of them, I want it to be in the context: “this is a perception have heard — that I may or may not believe, but I don’t buy into.” But I don’t want to polarize your answer, so you think I am being judgemental.

As I told Casey she created a really funny character with the dances, don’t lose that with some self-important bit of being in your face. Especially if that isn’t the root of the character.

I hope the characters want to impress the writer, but will do it in the bounds of what is acceptable.

I was trying to teach the director some, I mentioned to her that she was allowing committee direction. If someone couldn’t understand how to walk across the stage, about two other or more kids would make suggestions

When I told her she has to be the voice, she told me she wasn’t aware that it was happening. The reason to not let the inmates run the asylum is that after all is said and done, the actor doesn’t know what s/he is suppose to do.

For example, kids says she wants to look sexier. The director says, “I am not sure if you need to worry about that,” but two other kids say, “wear more mascara.” She is left with, should I wear mascara and look more sexy like I think I should, or should I not. She will wear mascara unless the director says, “no.”

hmmm enough rambling about that.

Decided to end the day with G&T, no exercise.

I made it past nap time, so maybe I can go to bed early and sleep some. The tigers are off tonight and it is like a godsend. I would love to listen, but I would also like the numbers to even out

I wish I wasn’t so boring of late. Sorry.