March 31

March 31, 2016 Everyone	At the beginning, everyone was moving at the same tempo and everyone was one level – straight. Don’t laugh when you are frozen – brooke and Sydney WE HAVE TO HAVE WIND ON narrow steep way. Someone pick up the camellia DICTION At the end, Everyone looks at Quixote – Shhh then look out at exit sign and freeze. Wind whispers die out. Villagers moving into Kilroy’s entrance are in a straight line and there are no levels. Must have hard freezes then move out naturally – do not move eyes. Ladder needs to be at an angle EACH time. During Kilroy’s chase scene at the beginning, try to grab him and miss. Kilroy, try to dodge some people. This one scene looks too staged. Really a great job – better than district. Keep making the lines fresh.  When you meet new people, treat them differently.  Don’t treat everyone the same. 5 min – Cognac 10 min – I gotta find something to cash in on 15 min – Where’s the grey hound depot 20 min – Anxious old hawk 25 min –Violets in the mountains can’t break these rocks. 30 min – Maky – the street cleaners are waiting for you 35 min – Block 14
Kilroy	Where was the wallet and the picture? When you first come in be a slow record…. Excited, then slower, then look then line. React to the streetcleaners. Be more vocal when you fall during end of play and with Esmeralda Fight after Guard takes you off the Fugitivo Lean in for a kiss after I am sincere Move head naturally when speaking to villagers and Casanova… talk as you are moving your head. Change your personality with each new person/group of people you meet. Do not stay the same – Shanghaied is an example of how you change. This is what one of the judges said – need to see your heart. Sleep under the stars – first time excited Sleep under the stars – second time resigned to fate. What happened to one true woman’s pic. Rose between teeth. This PLACE is confusing sounds like this play is confusing.
Gypsy	Keep coughing and stay in character until you are two feet out of curtain line.
Quixote	More energy – I know you are getting frustrated, but you are doing a sing song. A little faster on some of lines. Show blue ribbon prominently at the beginning and end. Choose one among shadows – look at these people – squint your eyes Seemed too memorized and slow.
Survivor	Come in desperate for water, see fountain,and try to rush to it. More disappointed when there is no water. Be more dead, head lolled to one side – legs and arms at unnatural poses.
Gutman	Did you say I sorry buddy?!?!?!!? Wear helmet as the airplane.
Carly lights	We need to see Gutman when he moves the ladder and touches his hips. Gutman, during one of the scenes, roll your chair around and with back to audienc, move your head and say block….
Prudence	Fight for  your suitcase
Prudence and Olympe	Exchange coats and hats
Stage lights	Light on Gutman block 12 Light on Madrecita during her curses Light on Kilroy’s entrance.
Streetcleaners	HISS and move bodies weirdly – only Payton and Evan are weird. Move hands crazily. Crouch.
Gypsy and Gutman	Exchange cigs as we talked about during class Don’t move during caged bird lines.
Olympe	As Prudence, age must match voice – see Ms. Keeler
Guard Riley	After you say Hey – scratch or something After chasing Kilroy off – escort him with a gun. After Fugitivo, take extra suitcases off USL, not across CS.
Casanova	Kuehler likes foot on back? Louder at times we could not hear or understand you – especially at Morris code.  See him blink then rush to him. Say honor like you say Jacque Casanova Say I am Jacque Casanova with a flourish of your cape. Pose beat lines The knees in each scene seemed staged. Do something different.
Marguerite	Legs are a problem, make a choice to hold them apart WIDE and pull your skirt up a little. Purse is gone – do not look up – look down and around.  Faster on discovery. Don’t anticipate Casanova on knees. When you can’t find a wrap after the cabana boy tears your dress. Look around and make the decision to stuff the dress in your bra so you don’t have to hold it.
Casanova and Gutman	You are not believable when you see the people.  Actually see and react to these poor souls.
Elijah	Cut the storm noise until we can figure out when to use it.  People need to whisper instead.
Soldiers	React to the scene – Evan look around – having Riley’s back.  Riley move among people and scare them. Hold a gun up to someone’s head, then click and laugh exiting.
Esmerlada	We need to see the decision to let him lift the veil.

March 31, 2016

Judges, Griffis, Couch

Shraeder’s and Adami’s notes with Griffis’s and Couch’s
Focus on the narrative.  There is a strong story here.  Actors, change vocal variety –explore the musicality of your voices.  Don’t just “play” on one or two notes. 
As directors, we need to find moments to slow the action down so we can allow moments to register.  Show cannot be one tempo.  ARTICULATION WAS A PROBLEM.
Take some time to establish relationships.  SLOW the show down during crucial moments. Need more variety of mood (lots of yelling)
There were some moments when listeners’ focus was right but did not give VISUAL PHYSICAL reactions.
The author’s intent of one of the main themes was coming to terms with the thought of growing older and possibly becoming irrelevant could have been clearer in Kilroy’s journey.  Jonah, we told you how to “see” your character and now we need to add more confusion and bittersweetness to it.
This week we cannot make a lot of changes.  However, after Saturday, we will be making changes to the play so be prepared.
REAGAN- We didn’t have lights on Gutman with each one of his lines.  We have to have that. Also, on the gypsy – know you cannot predict how the light will be when you can’t turn it on to test it on stage.   Let’s set that light during the official rehearsal – the exact placement of it and tighten the screw so that it cannot be manipulated or changed for performance.
STEP ON LINES - EVERYONE
Block 1: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks

- Tucker keep your diction, animation and projection, but instead of talking to the audience, share your story with them. Tell this story like you would in a small group making eye contact with people in each part of the group.

- Amy you must be old! React huge when Ashlynn hisses.  This would startle you and we must see it.

CUT – You’re not so young…. Gone dry!

Block 2: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks

Gutman = My guests – make sure the audience understands your place in the show. Stress this. A prop -an old fashioned hotel key – or a menu type prop that says – guest list.
- Mac be sure you show the audience how exhausted all of this ugliness makes you when you are asking about gunshots 
- Street people your actions are great! You must fall silent when Gutman talks. He is setting our story and the audience is missing it.
- Kadyn you must be quiet while dying when there is action in the hotel. We are looking at you too much here instead of hearing the action.
- We need to establish the power of Gutman here. There needs to be a dominant/submissive relationship built between Sam and Mac. We need to make sure audience knows Sam is in charge here. Mac, laugh uncomfortably as people do when they don’t know what else to do.  Your survival depends on Gutman.
- Crowd:-our entire focus must be On Mac and Sam until "hermano" is spoken. Do NOT do any motion or sound that could take away attention from those two.
- Sam we need you to project your voice from your diaphragm. Your abs should hurt after a performance. Your voice is naturally loud, now project it to the back row with precise diction.
- Gypsy, we meet you for the first time in the first announcement here. Vary the way you say this. Be dramatic. Look up when you say moon.  Watch yelling throughout the show. Stage whisper at times.
- crowd be quiet when Sam says clown line.
Block 3: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
- Jonah react bigger when officer says, "no hay western union." He just went back to Spanish after he spoke English to you in the line before.
- Jonah vary your voice as you tell us your past story. This needs to be the best story you've ever told. Sometimes this seems like lines in a play. RE READ THE CRITIQUE FROM ONE OF OUR JUDGES.  WE HAVE TO SEE THE TOLL OF LOSING YOUR VIRILITY AS WELL AS NOT BEING THE CHAMP YOU ONCE WERE. CHANGE OF MOOD –I’ve got a heart….baby. My real true woman…..kill me.

Kilroy	What is this country?  I was so glad to get off that rotten tub that I didn’t ask nothing of no one except my pay. (He jerks out his wallet.) Ha Ha!
Officer	Ha Ha!
Kilroy	Ha Ha!
Officer	(Making it sound like a death rattle)  Ha ha ha ha ha (He turns and starts into the cantina.  Kilroy grabs his arm)
Officer	What do you want?

Block 4: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
- Kylie focus on diction when you are the loan shark. Every word and syllable must be clear. It seemed like you were rushing.
Kilroy – Passionate – I never hit a low blow – fixers never got to me – not shouting, but stating with fervor that you were an upstanding fighter.
Baron – the name of the Camino is not unreal (you crazy guy, can’t you see you are stuck in a weird world)
Block 5: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
-Jonah you must make the audience love you here.
-Mac full drama. Emphasize the line "stiff".  You are frightened someone will over hear you giving advice to Kilroy about the unspeakable.
- M&J don't predict each other's lines here. Listen and react.
- Jonah we must hear your line,"How does he get off of it?"
Casanova – (Clandestine - Narrow steep way - WIND
Block 6: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
- Jonah pause after Sam says, "Are you jobless?" It should sink in before you say vagrancy line.
- Say "I've been shanghaied," with exhausted desperation, not anger.
Block 7: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
- Make us feel the relationship between cass and Kilroy more.
Evan do flip as script says between Mulligans leaving and Camillas line
Casanova- Yes I know the Morris Code – closer and more secretive. What will happen if Gutman or his guards see you speaking to Kilroy?
Marguerite, find the missing purse quicker.
Cassanova – be proud and tall – I am Jacques Casanova! With a flourish.
- Sydney at some point, try to take the letter from Mac's pocket. If he won't look at it, you will.
- Mac don't turn your back to audience when you kneel down. The judge on left stage side cannot see you.
Marguerite – look at lines you dropped in this block – Marguerite, you must take better care of yourself.  Rest. Peace.
Rest in peace is that final bit of advice they care on gravestones, and I’m not ready for it!  Are you?
More whispered – terra incognita.
Block 9: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
-Great Action, but let’s take down the volume a little if you don't have a scripted line.
Marguerite -He wants to keep me here.  He’s lying about it.  Frantically get someone to listen.
Block 11: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks –
Kadyn touch yourself more on the well.
Block 12: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
Jonah and Maky, you need to listen and react to each other's lines here. You predict the others line here almost every time. Say this differently so you are not stuck in a patterned rut.
- Jonah huge reaction when she says, "the street cleaners are waiting for you." Maky, watch sing song cadence.
Block 13: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
-Jonah look more sad when you read the letter. Your friend is now broke and homeless and you are about to tell him that.
Block 14: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
- Jonah start out stronger when you fight the street cleaners, then fade quickly when you make contact with them. We need more vocals.  Be like a vinyl record that is slowly changing speeds from high to slow.
Block 15: Light on Gutman & each time he speaks
-Ashlynn, la madrecita is old! You seemed too young! These are moving words that you are speaking. Put some heart and tears in this.
Block 16 – Use your blue ribbon in this final scene, Quixote.

 

Griffis' Notes and Suggestions

Block 1:

- Tucker keep your diction, animation and projection, but instead of talking to the audience, share your story with them. Tell this story like you would in a small group making eye contact with people in each part of the group.

- Amy you must be old! React huge when Ashlynn hisses. This would startle you and we must see it.

Block 2:

- Mac be sure you show the audience how exhausted all of this ugliness makes you when you are asking about gunshots 

- Street people your actions are great! You must fall silent when Gutman talks. He is setting our story and the audience is missing it.

- Kadyn you must be quiet while dying when there is action in the hotel. We are looking at you too much here instead of hearing the action.

- We need to establish the power of Gutman here. There needs to be a dominate/submissive relationship built between Sam and Mac. We need to make sure audience knows Sam is in charge here.

- Crowd: our entire focus must be On Mac and Sam until "hermano" is spoken. Do NOT do any motion or sound that could take away attention from those two.

- Sam we need you to project your voice from your diaphragm. Your abs should hurt after a performance. Your voice is naturally loud, now project it to the back row with precise diction.

- Gypsy, we meet you for the first time in the first announcement here. Vary the way you say this. Be dramatic. Look up when you say moon. 

- crowd be quiet when Sam says clown line.

Block 3:

- Jonah react bigger when officer says, "no hay western union." He just went back to Spanish after he spoke English to you in the line before.

- Jonah vary your voice as you tell us your past story. This needs to be the best story you've ever told. Sometimes this seems like lines in a play.

Block 4:

- Kylie focus on diction when you are the loan shark. Every word and syllable must be clear.

Block 5:

-Jonah you must make the audience love you here.

-Mac full drama. Emphasize the line "stiff"

- M&J don't predict each other's lines here. Listen and react.

- Jonah we must hear your line,"How does he get off of it?"

Block 6:

- Jonah pause after Sam says, "Are you jobless?" It should sink in before you say vagrancy line.

- Say "I've been shanghaied," with exhausted desperation, not anger.

Block 7:

- Make us feel the relationship between cass and Kilroy more.

- Could Evan do flip as script says between Mulligans leaving and Camillas line?

- Sydney at some point, try to take the letter from Mac's pocket. If he won't look at it, you will.

- Mac don't turn your back to audience when you kneel down.

Block 9:

-Great Action, but lets take down the volume a little if you don't have a scripted line.

Block 11:

- Kadyn touch yourself more on the well.

Block 12:

- Jonah and Maky, you need to listen and react to each other's lines here. You predict the others line here almost every time.

- Jonah huge reaction when she says, "the street cleaners are waiting for you."

Block 13:

-Jonah look more sad when you read the letter. Your friend is now broke and homeless and you are about to tell him that.

Block 14:

- Jonah start out stronger when you fight the street cleaners, then fade quickly when you make contact with them.

Block 15:

-Ashlynn, la madrecita is old! You seemed too young!

3/21 Video

You Tube Link

March 20 - blog comment needed today and March 19

Everyone	Move more at the beginning. Guard – light your cig; maky, check your face or hair, Elijah, let us see you move to play. Dream wasn’t whispered. Tacos, fritos, loteria at the beginning you have to be quieter when Sam is explaining the play at the beginning Wind whistling before block 2 Wind on “That’s the way out.” Freeze at dreamer Street light on the two fold with the ritz only. Fight dance looked rehearsed. Narrow steep way – whisper wind Villagers, Lady M will give you a water bottle to keep you distracted from bothering her.  Fight over it. Villagers, be careful not to be too loud and distracting when dialogue is happening on stage. When Quixote says – hush……rocks- look up at God. - more wind as margaurite exits
Abdullah	Laugh at Prudence   Laughed too loud and we could not hear Marguerite’s line – I think it was about betrayal
Marguerite	Frozen during Hermano scene See pages 60 and 61 in published script for more words than not without me.   Sydney first line as m was not in character Sydney say aging with despair & be crazy!!!- Sydney you were not desperate as m today. Not desperate, old or crazy. No mask
Stage lights	Left and right stage are blinking simultaneously – it needs to be varied.  Is the light under Gutman flashing as well? As soon as Lady M exits, lights start flashing.
Carly	Lights should be dim with MINIMAL lighting on Esmeralda and Gypsy when she says it’s dark, I’m scared.
Casanova	Hit cane on – Thanks brother Need papers at Fugitivo scene. Discontinued – see the way this has affected you - sigh
Gutman	Heartbeat sound block 16 – that’s my heart. What is this placed Cannot say words or sentences not in the script unless it is in a crowd. Cut it’s ridiculous and my heart is breaking.  great work Sam! But u can't add lines. Let us see the helmet during the Fugitivo takeoff.
Quixote & Kilroy	- Jonah and tucker do end lines further from gypsy house. It's too clumped
Baron Charllus	Used to be as in the past tense …. Needs to be louder
Kilroy	YOU NEED TO BE HOT React HUGE to baron being shot in front of you. Vacancy – you realize you have a dead man’s hat on. Blink nose just one or two times – too many is distracting. People noises when you are fainting and again – boxing the street cleaners. Where was the picture Why do you get up? At the end.  We need to look at that. Step on line after little veil New hat and coat - Jonah cheat out when sitting with kadyn. We can't see your face in the middle of auditorium - Jonah step on lines throughout the play.
Marguerite & Kilroy	- Jonah and Sydney scene is slow. Sydney once again you are not playing m old or crazy.
Prudence	Cannot see your face REACT TO THE VILLAGE PERSON!!!!!!!!!!  WE have said this a hundred times. What block is this - sooner
Sound	Gunshots were great
Guard	Light cig at the beginning.  Pour water on the survivor – don’t sprinkle Bigger laugh during dreaming about money – ask Justin.
Cooper	Great job as Madrecita Add lines for La Madrecita - after big as the head of a baby HE STIRS She says – Rise Ghost, Go, bird!
Evan, Riley	Evan and riley need to be doing something during the dance
Evan Madrecita	Don’t escort Madrecita out with the gun.  No one reacts to this.
Bum	Stay out with lonely until all three have said it.
Dreamer	Keep nuts going until Kilroy – Don’t…… Use the frog until Marguerite says Jacque
Esmeralda	Scream when Jonah is hit.  What happened to that scene? Be as close to the end of the stage (DS) as you can be when you are introduced.
Gypsy	maky open your eyes when you give lines, it seems like you are looking down. -maky don't anticipate Jonas heart line
Casanova and Kilroy	Be closer. Casanova can lean in to speak to Kilroy – too much space is between you.  Leaning in shows you don’t want guards to see. – mac and Jonah first scene is too slow! You have to do something so that this does not seem like two HS boys giving lines in a OAP
Lady Mulligan	Don’t talk upstage with Lord Mulligan at the Siete Mares. Hand water bottle to villagers to distract them. Brooke you are playing lady mulligan with realism, we need you in this dream with us- Brooke sounds to young as lady mulligan. You can be a shrill old lady, but you must not play it as realism. - Brooke you must wear your hat as lady m. And your hair must be pulled back. - Brooke play lady m the whole time the way you say, put lord m on dry ice." That is your character
Gypsy and Nursie	Anticipated big as the head of a baby. – glamour wig.
Quixote	Good job!  Be sure and use a handful of feathers/
	Wine Earrings Stop watch

March 20, 2016

Times

5 min Casanova says "cognac"

10 min Kilroy says, "I’ve been robbed."

15 min Kilroy says, " you were a witness."

-20 min Casanova says, " Wine list?."

25 min Marguerite says, "We have no Gautier listed.."

30 min Kilroy says," So long pal."

35 min Esmeralda says, "I promised mother I wouldn’t."

Cuts

Quixote  -My dream will be a masque and when I wake,

Prudence - You’re not so young as I thought when I saw you the terrace by candlelight. 

Casanova		Striking the terrace with his cane. I asked you what has happened in the plaza!
Gutman		Happenings in the plaza don’t concern us….
Casanova		I heard shots fired.
Kilroy	What is this country?  I was so glad to get off that rotten tub that I didn’t ask nothing of no one except my pay. (He jerks out his wallet.) Ha Ha!
Officer	Ha Ha!
Kilroy	Ha Ha!
Officer	(Making it sound like a death rattle)  Ha ha ha ha ha (He turns and starts into the cantina.  Kilroy grabs his arm)
Officer	What do you want?

Casanova : If I should start to whistle “La Golondrina” it means we’re being overheard by the guards.

La Madrecita

Recuerdos?   Recuerdos? (Memories)

Marguerite – I have my papers.  He wants to keep me here.  He’s lying then not without me.

Shorten dance – cornudo to two eight counts.

Gypsy	It’s going to break The streetcleaners are waiting for you
Gypsy	Frankly, your number is up! ….Esmeralda!

 

Cut Gypsy shooting

Esmeralda, sorrowfully		Mother has such an awful time on the street. (Esmeralda curls up on the divan.  Kilroy licks his lips – as though he is in an awkward situation)
Kilroy	Your sense of humor is wonderful, but how about my change, Mamacita?
Kilroy, panting	It don’t belong to no State, not even the USA. help me get out of here!  I don’t understand what’s…… happening, it’s like a …..dream…just like a….dream.
	A clear shaft of light falls on him.  He looks up into it crying.
	Esmeralda appears in a childish nightgown on the Gypsy’s roof.
Kilroy, softly	It’s just… like a …..dream
Quixote	DON’T …PITY…… YOURSELF!  (Quixote takes out a pocket mirror and combs and grooms his beard and mustache)