We're in the middle of opening night for Pride & Prejudice. It's been a fun and QUICK process. I got into town on April 2nd...had time to eat Subway...and then had rehearsal. Again...QUICK! 17 days from arrival to audience...can't believe it.
Many lessons to learn from this process though. First, a truncated rehearsal process makes coming in off-book even MORE important. We had only one true run before we had an audience, so I'm still worried about lines. Tonight that really showed. I don't like to run my lines before a show and trust that I know them. Plus I like how it puts a little fear in me > fear leads to focus > focus leads to listening > listening leads to staying in the moment. That wasn't the case tonight. Focus wasn't there because some weird thoughts popped into my head and I could not get them out. Oh well, maybe I need a few more times running my lines before they're solid.
However, I wasn't even cast until about three weeks out and I didn't get the script until two weeks out...so that pretty much screwed me. I did the best I could, but it's really important to come in more prepared. I don't like to learn lines until I've done the appropriate book work, otherwise the physical manifestation of the character gets set before you know who he is.
Second, that I HATE not having more rehearsals. The reasons for the short rehearsal process are monetary and business related, but it makes for lesser art. No read through. No table work. No full cast at the same time until the last few rehearsals. No time to run the show repeatedly. Too many good things happen during these times and I feel a bit robbed.
And thirdly, I need to be careful about how long I'm away from acting at a time. This was five months...11 if you don't count The Winter's Tale. But my atrophied muscles are back in shape...and real ones after some trips to the gym. I'm in the midst of finding new monologues and am slowly but surely finding new inspiration.
It's amazing, however, how much of a stasis I've been in because of the breakup with Sara. New York, so far, has felt like a haze...like I wasn't really there. I just haven't felt like being very active...still don't in a lot of ways. My motivation is gone, but I'm not forgiving myself enough and letting myself do what I NEED guilt free.
It's been good being down here away from her...plus I have a nice car, nice hotel, and a lot of free time. I'm not making a ton, but I'm also not on the hook for many expenses. I'm glad I was able to sublease my place otherwise I'd be in the red because of this show.
We have about 16 days left and I want to make the most of it, while also starting to turn my eye back to New York and ramp up my efforts there. Audition more. See more shows. Remember that I'm an actor, not a server.
