Taking up the Torch, or perhaps, the Dagger

I'm Valerie. I'm playing Macbeth. We'll be starting rehearsals on Saturday, September 6th. Tune in here for notes on the process, fly on the wall rehearsal tidbits, and how the sausage gets made. Which will hopefully make you more interested in sampling ;)

First - the pre-rehearsal work. I've known I would be playing this role for about 6 weeks now, which has given me plenty of time for reading, viewing, thinking, and pushups. Different actors approach things differently, but for me, prior to the start of rehearsal is a great time to see how other folks have done it - to know what is possible.

Some of the indispensable books for me on any Shakespeare role include: a Folio edition for spelling and punctuation clues, the Oxford edition for notes, and the Players of Shakespeare series from the RSC - a 6 volume set in which actors write essays about the roles they've played. I usually grab a book of criticism too if I can - and end up skimming it, not finding too much that's useful and then throwing it back.

Also on this role - the pushups. A way to connect with upper body strength and get ready for the sword fighting. I'm following the regimen at hundredpushups.com

So, a salute to the ladies who've written before me on previous Woman's Will productions, and thanks for letting me take over.