Rehearsal Notes: 4-20-11

Act One

costume crew- starting friday, DC, LB, Prism(slight) and Lane have aging.

Don't let us know that you're finishing a line- speak as if you don't expect people to respond when they do all the time.

As Jim said at the beginning of the practice, remember to warm up your mouths before practice! It makes a big difference! TONGUE TWISTERS!!!!!!

Make sure we all know what it is we're doing before we start.

Walk more quietly, Ross- your entrance was announced by the thud of your feet.

Adam- your first few lines came out garbled. Articulate a bit more. They were loud, but not quite clear enough

cucumber sandwiches need to be cut into squares, not triangles- we can't turn triangles into cows.

Worthing, Ross. Worthing. You said "wroothing"

Who is responsible for your shoes? No one is wearing them yet.

Algy, don't talk with your mouth full

Algy, your jacket on the mantel is going through the wall….

Algy, are you supposed to be wearing your hat and jacket? You have no reason for the hat in this act.

Jack, don't talk with your mouth full, either. It garbles your words something dreadful.

Algy, articulate! Adam, your words are becoming one. "bring me the cigarette case" is an example- it sounded like one word

Remember to ring for Lane, Adam. Go over the blocking.

ARTICULATE, both you! Mr. P couldn't understand you in the back- articulate and project!

Articulation, articulation, articulation!

Algy, you can't cross out of the light. That means you cannot go behind the couch- the blue light is strictly out of bounds.

"forduce"?? JACK.

Take care, Kevin, that when you sit down that you are sitting as Jack. You seemed too modern- you would more likely sit with your legs closer together

Everyone, go over your lines a few times. You didn't mess up noticeably, but you certainly look as if you are searching for the lines.

Jack, the teacup has a handle for a reason. Use it.

Smaller bites, Jack- don't take the whole thing off at once.

Adam, SLOW DOWN. You cannot possibly articulate enough at that speed to be understood, and you've got the best set of comedic lines in the play.

Bunbury should be bunbree, Kevin.

Sound?

Vahgnerian not Wagnerian- yeah, I know, but the German's don't have much sense when it comes to pronouncing things.

SLOW IT DOWN even more, Adam.

Colleen- practice sitting down. I think you could make it even more LB.

Make sure you don't wear hairbands on your wrist during the actual show

Smaller bites, Gwen. You are flirting.  You should't talk with your mouth full.

Didn't we switch so you didn't bring the plate of sandwiches over? It shouldn't just be sitting out.

LB, more towards the middle of the couch

Gwen-Chew less noticeably as well. You should probably not eat at all- after all, you are a young lady trying to gain the attentions of the man sitting across from you.

Is LB's sash on backwards?

Replace the card in Algernon's pocket (it's so gaudy and modern)- or get rid of it entirely.

Jack, we're losing the ends of your words. Gwen, you are speaking far too softly. I was sitting below the stage and I strained to hear your lines at times. Project.

good job on your lines, everyone!

"only fair to tell you" you slipped up a bit here, Gwen. Go over the lines once or twice more.

Jack, good job on the awkwardness of getting down on one knee. Colleen, excellent entrance!!!!

Gwen, try to drop the register.

Jack, you got up before you are supposed to- you can't get up until LB tells you to

LB, good job! Your dialect is perfect!

No hands in pockets Jack!!!!! Find something else to do with them.

You watch LB quite a bit in this scene- so you end up upstanding yourself. You might want to think about moving closer to Bracknell.

LB's pen still seems a bit off- it's quite a bit better, though.

Is there anything in Jack's pockets? If so, get rid of it. The only thing that should be there is the pocket watch (on its way) and possibly the cigarette case.

good dynamic, Jack and LB. You both change during the scene!

"give you the handbag at any moment" was one long and consonant-less word, Jack.

"how ?" what is algy, Jack. ENUNCIATE

I know Jack's having a minor tantrum, but you've got to make sure we can understand it. EVERY CONSONANT MUST BE CRISP

Adam, you sit somewhat too casually at the end of the act. Why did you show the audience the sole of your shoe?

Jack's hair ended up quite mussed by the end of the scene- hair, is there a way to stop his hair from standing on end?

Staring a the ceiling Jack- make sure you don't do it too often. Once or twice works, but as soon as you use it all the time it becomes a problem.

Lane, your entrance is much nicer, although a bit fast on the last entrance of Gwen.

Gwen PROJECT! and ARTICULATE!

Also, your energy seems low- this may be the last time you are allowed to talk to Jack- so what are you feeling?

Write down the address in your journal, Gwen.

Get the hat fitted.

Good timing Jack, on your re-entry.

Good touch without he cigarette, Jack, and excellent silhouettes with both of you.

Gentlemen typically don't wear hats inside- only a lady would wear a hat inside.  

Act Two

make sure, Ceci, that you are going to clip a rose from somewhere.

TECH NOTE: is there any reason we can't have a speaker off stage for the piano music.

DC- do we have costume glasses that are period for you?

Music???

Articulate, Prism, juts a mite more.

Also, slow down- you are running through your lines, and making them seem one long word.

What are you doing with the book you are holding Prism? You were just holding it tightly to your chest…

Go over your lines, Ceci.

Hair- the gibson's are looking rather untidy. Can we make them look more calm?

More role playing between Ceci and Prism- you need to have a reason to do everything you do. AND NO , because you were blocked that way is NOT an acceptable reason. Your character needs a purpose.

Chasuble- fussing a bit much with the jacket- all your gestures are low, down by your hips. Move them up!

Prism, we couldn't understand a word you said as you were leaving.

Hold the salver steady, Merrimen.

Where is the charm? Algy, you're a charming fellow. You may lose some of your hutzpah as you get to know Ceci, but you'd certainly start in ladies man mode.

We need more articulation, Ceci! CRISP. Algy, this applies to you as well.

Move the box to the front of the set! She cannot reach behind to find it. and when something falls. LEAVE IT WHERE IT LAYS if you cannot possibly get it without acting in a way that does not suit the period and character

Posture, Ceci- when you left with alga, you were sagging.

play up "young women are green" a bit more, Prism

tighten up crossovers- enter on the tails of Algi and Ceci, P and DC.

DC, you upstaged yourself during the "charity" line

Look at him, not out into the wings, DC. The wings are off limits for staring into space.

Also, your gestures are low- move them up so that they don't become a distraction.

Prism, what are you reading while Jack and DC talk? Is it happy, humorous, suspenseful?

"jildish" Jack, ARTICULATE.

COVER for your mistakes people- no looks that say "oh s***"

Cecily, exit upstage rather than downstage

ARTICULATE ADAM

When you mess up, pretend it was part of the line. THIS IS FOR EVERYONE.

Why is Algy wearing his hat? He was just inside!

"ree- con" needs to be "reh- con", DC

Ross, BRAVO. Merriman and Lane are two very different men.

Jack- good job physically showing your aggravation- nice, bold choices- we see Jack, not Kevin.

Do NOT say "s@$%" when you forget the line COVER FOR IT. Let no one know you have blanked. POKER FACE, man, POKER FACE. (ADAM)

slow down the speech, Ceci. I cannot understand you. ARTICULATE, PROJECT, and Speak with PURPOSE.

Algy, you need to start crossing down right before Ceci comes in- otherwise there is no possible way you could have seen her enter.

Jack- take your hat with you- you left it on the table.

Algy- the way you stand- the foot crossed lazily behind is to casual.

Merrimen- if you are late, you've got to have something to say. Adam's going to have to ad-lib until you get there, so make what you say suit what he's been making up.

Tone down your expressions a bit- you come off creepy when you're talking about the broken off engagement, Adam

Hand on her knee, Adam -DON'T DO IT. It would not have been at all acceptable in the time period.

Merri, watch out for Worthing- you keep skirting around the pronunciation. "Were- thing"

Project, girls, project.

books need to be taken off right away, otherwise you'll be caught trying to take them off at the last minute.

ARTICULATION!!!!!!!!

Cover for mess ups- Ceci, you need to be able to ad-lib the lines if you get them out of order.

Ceci, What are you thinking while Gwen talks of Earnest's character? It looks like you are trying to look interested in what she is saying without actually knowing what she is saying.

CECI-should be more of a secret with you, Ceci- you need to be bursting a the thought of sharing the secret of your proposal.

Gwen- just open the journal and show her the entry.

Where is the proper three tiered plate stand? The two tiered one is for the first act.

napkins- the tea set needs napkins for the ladies.

You skipped some of the tea scene- go over your lines!!!! That scene is important!

Your anger needs to be much more seething, Gwen!

Physicalization, Ceci- walk like a lady

Gwen- we liked your " this young….lady"

Algernon what, Ceci? ARTICULATE!

Guys, you should be watching your girls during the scene of the exploding of Earnest.

Everyone needs to work on articulating.

I liked Jack's "I love her"- Algy, would you be open to doing the same thing so you mirror each other for a second?

Where are the muffins?

Review your lines!!!

Tomorrow,  as soon as school gets out Both Jacks and both Algernon's need to be in the auditorium right after school to run over the end of ACT TWO.

Careful with the teacup, Algy- you don't want to get in the habit of moving it and spill some.

Algy, you are sitting far too casually a the end. RThe silhouette isn't strong enough- try the muffin in the air rather than the teacup.

Jack, the crumpling  was good- just do it so that we get a good silhouette when the lights go out.   

Act Three

Everyone, be out in a timely manner so we can get out of here sooner.

PROJECT and ARTICULATE!!!!

Ladies, when you come in, you are still fuming and storming about after the last scene.

Credelity? Ceci, go over your lines.

Jack, you upstaged yourself at "I am"

Algy- you missed "we are"

Gwen's hair is falling odwn- maybe w should fix it during the intermission?

Colleen, you are talking to the characters on stage with you, not the sky or the audience.

Hand in the pocket, Algy- find something else to do with the hand

Ceci, you believe Bunbury was a real person- what does news of his death mean to you? Do you believe Algy? Show what you are thinking on your face.

Articulate, Ceci- "Algernonandiarenegagedtobemarried"

Wait for her to be able to write down what you are sang, Jack- it makes no sense to list it all without her being able to wirte it down

Jack, you said  your lines to Bracknell entirely upstage- but you need to be more upset that she is insulting you, so say them to the audience.. don't deign to grace her with your glance.

Jack, you walked to far into the wings when you attempted to lose Bracknell

More of a shift in Bracknell when she learns of the fortune is advisable.

Gwen, you may want to sit back down when the action moves to Algy and Ceci.

Colleen, nice cover for Ceci's premature "Aunt Augusta"

Ceci, keep things clipping along- you may say thankyou before you kiss LB

Jack, you've got the power- let us see you reveling in the idea that you've got the keys to your happiness in your hands, at the expense of LB.

Jack, you're monologue on the vices of Algy turned into an earlier line- review your script.

Jack, articulate! Colleen, good job on that! Everyone needs to say every single consonant quite crisply.

the run to alga was awkward- only one of you can come forward if you both want a total change of place

LB careful, you sound like Sean Connery on the ned of the "thirty-five" monologue

Jack, do not touch Lady Bracknell. It's like touching the Queen.

DC, know your entrances!

CUES!!!!!!

DC, you are leaning awkwardly back. Also, use your hands more freely, do not be afraid to go wild with the gestures.

Everyone- find a way to react to the story LB is telling about the baby- you aren't cold, unfeeling statues

Prism, articulate!! You may speak fast, but only if every word is clear and precise.

Jack, learn from the other jack how to make the sounds. And we need more from you- we need to sense that something momentous has just occured!

Everyone needs to look up while the sounds are being made so that we know that they are coming from above

WHERE IS THE HANDBAG?? It's the black one.

Bolder reactions from people- something completely unexplainable has just happened, so you've got to be thinking of something! React to it all!

Colleen- good cover- also, we need a reaction from you over Jack's calling you "Aunt Augusta". we need to get a sense of indignation and disgust that he's related to you.

Louder on the lines about "Earnest John" they are the most important, and we lost them. There needs to be more space between the people at that point as well.

Should you look at Gwen when you finish the last line? she's the reason it's important after all. 

Curtain Call

Crew, Remember to give Ceci the journal for the curtain call.  

Jim's After Notes:
Good job on "german"