On the pro side, taking a week off allowed me to breathe with the role for a moment -- as one of my former teachers used to call it, put the role in "no motion" - meaning just sort of live with it for a bit on a subconscious level. I came back feeling refreshed (if a wee bit jetlagged) and ready to aggressively go into the final week of rehearsal before tech.
On the con side, I came back and felt a week behind - really overwhelmed and disoriented and like I am perpetually trying to catch up - This is always the wonkiest week for me in rehearsal anyway - it is when I start to doubt my choices and feel like nothing that I am trying to do is really working - I get really frustrated and angry and in need of a constant hug - but having been away, all of that is really magnified.
I do believe that I will get there by the time we open, but it certainly feels precarious for me at the moment - I am waiting for the magical inspiration to kick in - so when you all have a moment, send a little bit of inspiration my way!
Jenny
3 comments:
I don't think I've ever really had a chance to take some significant time off on a show. I'm not sure how I would take it, but, based purely on speculation, I doubt it would do me any good. I base this on the fact that I always seem to struggle on Monday rehearsals, as I usually spend my weekend doing, well, nothing relating to the show. So Mondays are usually the time where my blocking gets screwed up, a line or two goes awry, etc. It's never bad enough to really halt a rehearsal, and I can recover relatively pain-free... but I would imagine that if I had spent a week off, I'd go crazy when I came back.
I never thought about taking a week away from a character and coming back to it. I feel like I would make new discoveries about the character and see it in a new light as well! As for bieng stressed in tech week, I know that feeling-just take a deep breath, realized you were cast for a reason-and know that you are spectacular! :)
I will be facing a similar situation soon with our production of MARAT/SADE. We will be tkaing a 10 day break for easter and spring break while already being in rehearsals for 1 1/2 months. I think the best strategy is to go through lines, blocking choices in your head while you're eating, in the shower etc...or do a little speed through for yourself while by yourself somewhere...
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