There's an elusive "it" that actors try to find with each performance. It's a centering of your character; a point where the emotions of your character aren't work any more but flow naturally with the lines. In my opinion, the most difficult thing is to find "it" because that's when the performace feels real.
Sunday's matinee ... "it" was found. It's funny because even while on stage, there was a part of my brain thinking, "Ah, finally." I knew that my solo was soaring and that the emotions in the scenes were real and felt. That's not bragging; it just is.
I'm also EXTREMELY fortunate to be working with SCW. Her presence on stage is always so centered ... it's even evident in this photo. <3
I wish all performances could feel like that.
TTFN!
Opening Night. Rarely is it the best performance, but there's definately something special about it. Tonight it was even more special because many of the family the show is about were in the audience. Teddy Trager Key (the main character) was there on the front row next to her sister Merle (who also married an American service man and came to America). At the reception after the show, they all had name tags on with their relationship to either Teddy or Frankie.
Wednesday night's rehearsal found us all crammed backstage for the first time. The kids have a long stretch where they are not on stage, basically in the middle of the show. Our young Teddy (who is unbelievably good) captured us with her philosophy on life. She says that adults and kids need to work as equals; that while adults know all the rules, the kids know how to have fun. She looked around and said that of course the adults were people over 30. Then she looked at me, and ultimately busted out laughing while trying to backpedal. It was so cute that I can't even remember how she tried to get out of that one. I told her she needed to write a book about this as it would probably sell well. (She's already working on a different book, so it will have to wait.)
