Studio Report: Monday, March 15, 2010
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Present: Tif & Dex
12:30 - 2:00
Measure Drapes
Mark Measurements of Drapes on Fabric
Cut Fabric for Drapes
2:00 - 3:30
Work & Run CW - CD
Introspection
Measuring & cutting drapes too far longer than we expected (about 30 minutes more), but Dex and I were both very low energy from the time change, staying up too late finishing up some things, and last night's intense rehearsal. However, I think our carefulness while doing the measuring will pay off and we won't have to re-do anything in regards to the drapes.
Worked Continuous Winter to Clock Dance and drilled & blocked 3am.
Talked to Erica after rehearsal regarding the talk-back/feedback session and lost my battle of going on Sunday. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was cancelled due to Links believing there will be a turnout problem due to another event happening on the same day. I feel that our event is equally compelling and should get the people there on Saturday that choose to be with us on Saturday; I find their feedback as valuable as any - and if not more fo choosing us over the other event, perhaps! Turns out Ginger's team prefers Friday, I prefer Sunday. They are many. I am one. I gave in. I was kindly offered to receive no feedback on Friday and have a special session on Sunday, but I find that silly - (generous), but silly. It would be awkward for me to say, "I don't want you to comment on my work." It just feels wrong, and distasteful. There are several reasons why I think Friday's feedback will be ineffective. 1.) I will have just had a very, long intense week and want to celebrate getting the show opened. I'd like to relax and enjoy the party afterwards alongside casual comments from audience members. 2.) It's my birthday. I would have wished to be home by 11pm that evening to have some cake and celebrate privately with all of the family that will be in town for my birthday & my show. This creates a conflict and I foresee me not being able to do this and since it's celebrating my last birthday in my 20's, I find it very momentous. Birthdays are very important to me. 3.) Not having more than 1 show under my belt, I won't be able to confidently reflect & respond to the feedback/questions/comments. It would be much more beneficial to have a contrast/comparison between the evenings to see if my observation is true. No real observations about the show as a whole can be made after just one performance. It will grow on Saturday & Sunday. 4.) If someone takes the conversation south for Ginger, Me (or Both of us), I guarantee it will make the refreshment/party sense of it awkward. 5.) People may not stay for the refreshments because they may not be interested in staying that much longer to wait for the feedback session (should they wish not to participate). 6.) If I get the same comment on an aspect of the show, it will be more difficult for me to concentrate when getting to that part in the show later in the run because I'll be self-conscious of it due to the concentrated feedback. 7.) Having a feedback session on Sunday would allow me to reflect on the entirety of the show. Since, in this setting, we are expected to evaluate our progress & process, Friday's feedback session will be far from my mind once the show is over on Sunday.
I'm never big on post-show discussions after a performance I consider complete because there isn't much I can/will/want to change at this point. I figure, I've been in studio for 6 months, whatever decisions I've made at this point I'm pretty confident about, I'm pretty happy with, and have had ample time to consider. You can't please everyone, and sometimes I think this reflection needs to be done at home, at the breakfast table over a bowl of oatmeal. I believe I as a performer can feel if the audience is with me, and when they're not, I go home and think about this. And it's not always me - sometimes it's just the room, the energy, the day - and it collectively builds to something the performer can't control. With this show I am asking a lot of audience - their concentration & extended belief. If they're willing to ride with me, I'll be able to feel it. I don't need someone to tell me this or confirm this after the show. It's like coming out of a trance while on the dancefloor. You don't want a video of you dancing like crazy to remember it or to prove if you were really dancing, you just want to take away what you felt and leave it there.
To Do 3.15.2010:
Chemise!
While I've got at least 7 valuable reasons as to why I don't prefer Friday, but I'll go along and will have to come in with a bit of a filter.
White Ghost the harpsichord is home! Living in our living room. No complaints and resting in its own wirelike wooden fashion. What fun it will to bring him to Links Hall and hear Truman play it. I cannot wait! It's going to be outrageous. White ghost is so simply beautiful. What a treasure. What a treat.
