Shifting Gear

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We’re at that time in the term where there is a shift of gear…up till now it’s all felt new, new term, new projects, new starters.  It all has a bit of an unreal feeling…there’s a frivolity and a freedom…it feels fresh and upbeat and lovely…

Now, however, there is a sense that the real work has begun…and with this comes a sense of responsibility…well nobody likes that do they? There’s also the frustration when rehearsals don’t quite progress in the way that was expected…an equally unwelcome feeling.  

What’s the solution?  The bottom line is that in order for rehearsals to go well there is a certain amount of onus on the actors to do some work in between rehearsals – a tough ask when our lives are so full of course work, family obligations, part time work and the day to day needs of an average human being…there’s also a requirement that actors come into rehearsal with the necessary attributes to get the job done…

So what can you do to redress this situation?  Well it depends really…firstly it requires a look inwards and an honest appraisal of your time management…it’s amazing how quickly time fritters away on pointless tasks and suddenly the evening has gone…we’re all a bit of a victim to that…whether it be Tumbr or Fruit Ninja.  It’s important to remember it’s all about choices…otherwise you can start to feel like a victim with no control over your life…so it’s about looking at what you have to do and making sure you leave enough time to get it done…if you can do this you will walk into rehearsals with your lines learnt and your scenes prepared and the security of having a familiarity with your character that means rehearsals can be a joy.  They can be about developing relationships and moments and discovering how the whole play hangs together.  The other thing that is required is a healthy amount of optimism and a willingness to drop the barriers to being able to immerse yourself in the creative process.  Insecurity, self criticism, petty grievances, all this negativity has to be left at the door …it’s tricky but it’s possible…do you want to know how I know this to be true?

At the moment I am directing 7 shows, and writing another 2, I’ve just finished a substantial block of work for the litfest and I’m delivering training and education projects for a number of high profile organisations…there are times when I feel like I’m drowning but ultimately I have a belief I can do it, an acceptance that in order to do it I have to make sacrifices and a clever way with lists of things to do…this I have found to be a pretty good recipe for success…

I wish you a happy week…full of prioritisation, achievement and fulfillment and look forward to seeing you at your next rehearsal with your lines learnt and willingness to jump into the creative process with abandon…

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