257 - She Got To Do Her Monologue

Photo by Devlin Mann of The Backlight Theatre Group

On the first night of the Shakespeare workshop, I met a young woman and her mother.  Her mother had seen the article about the workshops on Jacksonville.com and knew her daughter would love it, so they came.  She sat up on the stage the first 2 nights and watched, not having an opportunity to do her monologue.  I told friends of mine that I really, really hoped she was able to do it on the last night, almost to the point that I wanted to mention it to Devlin.  Fortunately, I didn't and she was the first one Rob asked up.  (That's her in the pic above.)

She was ready.  She knew her piece, and more than anything, she listened to what Rob said, trying to incorporate it.  It was evident that she had a love for Shakespeare.  I think she received the highest compliment from Rob in that he laughed at one point.  I even leaned over to SC to make sure he had actually laughed.  (I couldn't see him.)

I have no tangible reason why I was so glad to see her work, just an energy I felt.  Maybe it was what her mother said that first night, or maybe it was seeing the absolute joy in her eyes before the first session.  I don't know, but it was great to watch.

Had a wonderful dinner with a couple theatre friends who I don't see all that often.  It was great to soak up the conversation.  And even more friends were there that last night.  Was even re-introduced to John, whom I'd met on a number of occasions before I started doing theatre.

A couple other of Devlin's photos - top: Stacy is in complete concentration, and bottom, so am I!  All credit goes to Devlin for these photos.

Other photos from Day 3 are here on The Backlight Theatre Group's website:

http://www.thebacklighttheatregroup.org/The_BackLight_Theatre_Group/Rob_Clare_Workshop_Day_2_%26_3/Rob_Clare_Workshop_Day_2_%26_3.html

256 - More Workshopin'

It was back downtown again for another couple hours of watching Rob Clare work with local actors.  This night, though, a number of my friends were there.  It was SO wonderful to see them again. 

Some highlights from my notes:

"The person not talking is often the focal point of the scene."

"If possible, look for what the character does NOT say and why."

"Sometimes the repression of emotion is more powerful than the expression of emotion."

Looking forward to one more night of a master class atmosphere and watching a real master of the craft work.

LOVE this pic of my friend SC.  Either Devlin or Redgie took it. 

 

Other pics from this night are at:

http://www.thebacklighttheatregroup.org/The_BackLight_Theatre_Group/Rob_Clare_Workshop_Day_2_%26_3/Rob_Clare_Workshop_Day_2_%26_3.html

 Article from Metro Jacksonville

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-apr-robb-clare-leads-theatre-workshop-with-backlight-group

255 - Workshopin' Bill

Devlin Mann, of The Blacklight Theatre Group, brought Rob Clare into town (into the country) to do 3 evening workshops on acting Shakespeare.  The workshops were held downtown at the Florida Theatre. Local actors are participating in the workshops; me, I'm observing. I'm totally ignorant when it comes to the classics, especially Shakespeare. However, I learned a lot in just observing Rob work with the actors.

My fav quote of the night was, "Rehearsal is the exploration of what's possible."  So much was talked about finding specific words for emphasis, and exploring why one word was used over the other.  Good exercises that can be taken into any theatre experience.

Watching and soaking all that in really makes me want to learn to be a better actor. The big question is finding the energy to put into that while still working the type of job I have, keeping up with the house and my other hobbies.

Here's one of Devlin's pics from the workshop.  Others can be viewed at:
http://www.thebacklighttheatregroup.org/The_BackLight_Theatre_Group/Rob_Clare_workshop_pics_day_one.html