WORKSHOP WEEK ONE AND TWO: Summary

16Mar10

The last two weeks have been a mixed bag of great and mediocre. I have enjoyed the last week in particular, learning about the process of the production week from beginning to end.

The first week was mostly centred around managing performers and the rehearsal process. This week was mentally tiring as we were doing lots of things over a short period of time. I feel like I learned quite a few things, but they are not immediately obvious. We attended several classes based around the performers. We started by observing the first year actors doing vocal warm ups. As I said in my previous posts, it was interesting to just sit down nd concentrate on he process. However, I have been thinking about it a lot, and I am struggling to think how to convert what I learned into a real-life, rehearsal context – except to ensure that the actors are given enough quiet time and space onstage to do this extremely vital exercise.

We (the stage managers-in-training) also did our own performances with Ali De Souza, who helped us to understand the actor’s process from the very beginning of rehearsals. This has actually  been very useful for me whilst I have been working in Cumbernauld as a Stage Manager for an amdram company. Obviously the entire rehearsal period is a lot more fragmented and longer for a company who may not be as experienced or as well practiced as a company of professionals, but learning how it feels to go dry (especially often) and not feel completely confident acting has really helped me to understand them. I get a lift to Cumbernauld with the lead actress, who has lots of lines, and it’s very interesting to listen to her talk about her struggle to get her part down as we make our way to and from rehearsals. It certainly makes my job a lot easier when we’re in the rehearsal rooms as well, as I know when she will be finding it most difficult and so on. So, as you can see, Ali’s teaching has already had a great effect on me, and will continue to!

We also had chats with an inspiring array of stage managers, designers and so forth. I really enjoyed Helen’s class. She gave us a professional insight into Opera and made me consider how different our process for opera in comparison to the professional world. In that sense as well, I enjoyed chatting to John Duncan. He was approachable and honest, and reminded me of the great stuff about stage management. It was also good to know that we were welcome to watch the Stage and Pianos etc. at Scottish Opera, which I will definitely take up as soon as possible, as it will be great for learning how to compose myself in technical rehearsals.

Our second week was based around a ten minute show. We rehearsed it, had a production meeting, rigged, teched and dressed it. Although I enjoyed this and feel it was very useful, I have a feeling it could have been a lot more exhaustive. However, a week is not a lot of time to cram in a production, so my hat’s off to John for planning these classes so well. It made me realise how much I have yet to learn. It also made me realise some of the less obvious things I need to keep in mind when I take charge in production week for Sweet Sorrow eg., making sure i am standing in the lights, head up etc. Basically I will just need to be a lot more self conscious!

In summary, these classes have been helpful and educational. I feel pretty confident about the coming weeks and I think I will learn all my real lessons on the show. I feel grateful I have the chance to get taught all these things that a lot of stage managers have to learn on the job.

Laura

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