Overview
Here we have it! After many months of preparation, it all comes down to the three performances to a public audience in my character. We performed two shows on the Tuesday (Matinee and Evening), and one show on the Thursday (Evening only.) From here, I will be detailing the schedule, as well as any prevalent errors and how we dealt with them; the majority of my reflection on these performances will arise in my Final Evaluation blog.
Tuesday Itinerary Pre-Matinee
8:00 - Come into school for help with hair and make-up
8:30 - Must be in with hair and make-up done
8:50 - Sat in the hall/auditorium for register
9:00-9:30 - Vocal warm-up, notes, and mics on & tested
9:30 - 10:40 Snag:
-Harvard Variations into Blood in The Water - scene change
-Chip on My Shoulder, including all scene changes
-Take it Like A Man - quick change into Kyle Gets Bandaged (I was not involved in this snag, so I spent the time in rest before the shows ahead, as well as making sure I had everything ready backstage in terms of costume/props)
-Act 2 scene 7 into the bows, with all scene changes
10:50 - Break
11:10 - All in the hall for final notes etc.
12:30 - Cast can get food from the lunch (please do this before 12:50), into full costume, hair, etc.
1:15 - Mic check on stage
Additional Comments
This show ran rather smoothly; the snags covered beforehand were crucial as these were the weakest areas or the ones that would previously have caused minor stalls. Moreover, it was the first time I would test the logistics of my show plan (as well as being able to make any changes or adjustments to it), because this would be the first time there would be no cast members sat in the auditorium when waiting for their entrance cue. This was a prime opportunity to experience a proper performance environment, as well as making use of my leadership responsibilities to keep everything and everyone organised backstage. This is something that became easier with each show, as each cast member grew in familiarity with the setup and running of the show during an actual public performance.
Post-Matinee Itinerary
This was more subject to flexibility, as there were a few hours in which there was no scheduled activity. Aside from a cast meal at around 5:00 to fuel us for the upcoming show, there was a lot of spare time in which we needed to organise ourselves. Personally, I spent a portion of this time unwinding with my closer cast members; we would sit in a quiet space together and just be as we would normally (they are my friends, after all!) Then, when the time for 'curtain up' drew nearer (although we didn't have curtains...), there would be a Mic Check onstage (usually 6:00), followed by a cast warmup (both physical and vocal; usually 6:30). After this, I would spend time thoroughly ensuring all props and costume - not just for myself, but for others, too - were in the correct place for the opening.
Tuesday Commentary
''Hi all!! What a way to open a show!! You should all be so proud! There is so much I could say, but I want to go to bed and so do you so I have one little nag then I will leave you alone.''
''Please please please, can no one stand around my TV and desk backstage. I have so much stuff going on physically and mentally, I don't have the headspace to push you out of the way/ask you to stop crowding. There are a few members of the cast who can be there, and they know who they are. If you are not sure, do not stay there. If I need you I will get you!''
''That is all I have to say about that, so to finish on a high, I hope you are all so happy with what you achieved tonight! Rest, eat and drink, ready for another long day tomorrow!!''
-Stage Manager, message titled: ''Wow wow wow''
''Well you really did bring down the house yesterday. You were all so amazing. Please bring lots of food and water today and be calm and rest. You will be tired and so it is essential to eat and drink well.''
''VERY PROUD!!!''
-Director; message titled: ''JUST INCREDIBLE!!!!''
Thursday Itinerary
This was a different format in terms of the day; because we had no matinee performance, all students were required to be attending lessons until 12:50 (Sessions 1-4). After the school's timetabled break period that followed this, we were all to be sat in the auditorium to repeat similar processes to the previous two days:
1:30 - All to the hall for register and chat, and any amendments needed for ill cast members, feedback
2:00 - Mic Check
2:15 - Snags:
-Scene of the Crime (all the way to the end of the show, with all set changes)
-Take it Like a Man (again, I was not involved in this)
Overcoming Challenges
As hinted at in my Saturday Tech blog, there was another major challenge yet to come that we had to face. Being the winter season, illness is always a concern surrounding our shows; this year it was particularly detrimental, with both flu and norovirus spreading through the cast very quickly.
For the Thursday show, the actors playing Elle and Margot were unable to return to their roles due to this debilitating sickness (it really was bad...) As a result, their counterparts from the Wednesday/Friday cast were at first on standby, and then had to step in for the performance. Consequently, certain scenes would be altered in terms of their energy and atmosphere; the actors would play these characters differently due to individual interpretation, and it was a team effort to ensure that these alterations still ran smoothly, and our reactions to the members of the other cast were contextually consistent.
Not only this, but a significant number of ensemble began to be sent home due to illnesses. Several members of the cast (particularly older off-night principals) were being called in on many occasions to fill these spaces; in fact, I stepped into the role of the Saleswoman in Oh My God on Friday night, once again making an alteration to my plan. This replacement process was particularly prevalent in Take It Like A Man. Those filling in the roles of the 'rails' rehearsed the number twice before the show, and performed it expertly!
It was a very smoothly run performance overall, and we are incredibly grateful for those who stepped in, it just goes to show the sheer professionalism of our cast - no complaints occurred whatsoever!
Thursday Commentary
''We’ve had a lot of proud and happy tears both in cast and staff this evening, and well deserved. Another amazing performance and particularly well done given every single scene was impacted by absence, you are the ultimate professionals.''
''We wish all those unwell the best, and remind you that even though you might not perform, being part of the experience has impacted on the end result, your creativity, support and commitment through the rehearsal process make everyone’s performances what they are on the night.''
''A few things for tomorrow:
Warm layers. So many of you were freezing tonight, which makes you vulnerable to illness and miserable. Your costumes are not suitable clothing for the gym, bring a zipped sweater, cardi, blanket, etc that is easy to pop on and off, or at least wear your coat.
Moisturise!! Lots of dry lips, chapped hands etc and all the santizer/soap won’t help. My hands are sore today!
Good quality lip balm, like Carmex, Burts Bees or Blistex will get you healed up. Vaseline, once your lips crack, isn’t that effective.
Tissues, lozenges, paracetamol well worth being prepared to fend off illness!''
''Tomorrow will be amazing, hard, emotional, long and wonderful. It will be a later finish, and there is a lot of putting away required after the show. Please plan to leave later, be super organised with your belongings and costumes and be ready to lend a hand. Further instructions will come during the day, but I will also put on here so you can refer back to it.''
''One more time, break a leg and do yourselves proud.
''
-Wardrobe and Wellbeing Lead; message titled: ''another amazing show!''
''OMG you guys!!!! That was epic! Teamwork makes the dream work!!!! Proud is an understatement, how can I put it in to words?! I had goose pimples, I welled up, I beamed from ear to ear. Every single one of you were just amazing! You have made two young little bears aspire to want to be in a production. 😊 Sleep well rest up and see you tomorrow!''
-Choreographer
Special Mention
This show was also a very emotional one for a lot of us in the cast, particularly the staff and older students. We have a large Year 13 student body in the performing arts department; some of these were in each cast, and a good selection of them made up our live pit band. Saying goodbye to close friends you've made over a long period of time is never easy, and I will admit tears were shed from a lot of people, but they are all onto great things in the future! Although they won't read this, this is my little way of showing to everyone how valued those people are, how their talent knows no bounds, and how much we will all miss their presence in this company...
Link To Future Projects
This mention isn't entirely sentimental, and in fact acts as an effective plenary for future shows and the remainder of this course. When you have worked with the same people for a prolonged tenure (which I have been lucky enough to do, and I know many others in set companies will), you grow accustomed to a specified way of working, developing a familiarity with the strengths and tendencies of your associates. Consequently, alterations of this balance - especially ones on such a scale - will require a lot of disciplinary and emotional accommodations. As a cohort, we will need to conduct a broad assessment on the skillsets we have lost, as well as taking not of those we will be gaining (as we would do every year), with certain projects needing extra consideration before they can be attempted.
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