well yes is meant to be an actor-blog but...

Kate and El have been doing so much else for the company that I can't in good conscience ask any more of them. There has been a lot of suspense this week, as El sprained her ankle Tuesday. Would she be able to walk for opening? Check. But what about doing all the fights, etc? It would be so sad to see all that beautiful choreography (really the most fun part of any "Shrew" anyway) go awol. As of tonight, final dress, the only thing missing is two carries of Kate. Im sure they'll be back for next weekend. Troopers, all of my lovely ladies. *sniff*

Why we love the Bay Area theater community

This is the most lovely hell week I've ever had. First of all, the show has absolutely blossomed in the past few days. Then, when we realized we couldn't fit our set into our rehearsal space, Cal Shakes graciously let us use their space (thanks Ava and Jean-Paul). Then, our designers were working their asses off, and actors chipped in to help finish details, and designed like pros themselves. (Gotta love how multi-talented all these women are!) As a result, the show really feels like an ensemble creation, like something that everyone involved feels is precious and is working together to nourish into being. That's just how the company started, and just how I could only have dreamed my final show with the company would be. Feeling profoundly grateful and proud tonight.

Why we call it hell week

Took the truck to the indoor rehearsal space, all ready to do a full dress/tech. Set? 3" too tall for the ceiling there. I need to say, this is not all that tall a set. Sigh... it's always something during tech. We really need to work with that thing. However, the run, once we finally got going, was lovely. I heart my actors.

Kate's diary: a history of injustice

When just a child, I found a gleaming stone.
A diamond, my wandering dreams it named.
My sister seeing it, cried and cried
she called it hers and quickly lied:
"oh father,father she has my stone!"
Plucked it was from my loving hands
and given as penance for her tears

My mother held my head to heart
and gave peace to anxious trials
Her arms softened my raging fears
and pulled from me a smile
but heaven stole her warmth from me
and lay her body cold
she left me aimless here to flow
and sink to muddy guile

When my body gave way to womanly form
the doors of liberty broke around me
trees no more could be my haven
and every weasling man bloomed quick
into wedding bands heavy and thick
my father dreamed of airing house
of the breath and weight I put there in
But then my heaving heart let fly
the anger breaking from my pores
and I raised to heaven a hellish din
I hoped my waning freedom to win

yet fate holds dear the trick
of giving the carrot with the stick
Fire found fire and burned white hot
it melted fear, revenge and thought
and though I could deep grievance bear
I'd rather flowers of loving peace wear

Crunch time... and awakenings

This weekend in Dimond Park rehearsing, we had an avid bunch of kids watching. They left a birthday party to come see a stop and go rehearsal! Less than a week from opening—the time we are all trying to cram in the last great ideas, realizing all the things I've done wrong (why on earth did I place everyone in front of Grumio in the second scene?) and making everything picture perfect. Luckily, inspiration is striking. Actors are realizing that they do really know those characters, and this cast seems to feel each other's timing very well. It was also our final day outdoors with the set, so luckily some things didn't work well—meaning we have identified the potential problems already and have time to fix them. As usual I wish we had another few days to rehearse, but it really was a fun show today even as a rehearsal. Nice women, nice play. Our unofficial motto is "kickass women, kickass plays", and we've got a few more days to make the transition from these lovely actors to those awesome characters, and it's looking good.