You have the power...

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It is a startling fact that as I write this, this time next week the dress rehearsals for the Christmas shows will be starting and this time in a fortnight the shows will be over.*   This moment in the Christmas term always takes my breath away…how has it gone from those playful days in September when sessions were full of conjecture and play and possibilities to the frantic rehearsals where we have a finite amount of hours to pull everything together…and why when my rational side knows that it’s been weeks and weeks since then does it seem like those heady happy days were two minutes ago?

So it’s my duty now to tell you that it’s now it’s over to you.  Gemma and I have done the majority of what we can do.  Obviously we’ll keep doing as much as we can – we’ll run the tech’s and advise you and coach you and problem solve and champion you until you take your final bows...however ultimately the success of the productions is all about you.  Here are some obvious but hardly thought about facts about actors: Everything you do in the rehearsal room has an impact on the show.  Everything you do outside the rehearsal room has an impact on the show.  Everything you do on stage has an impact on the show.  You have the power...

The reality behind those big sweeping sentences is this: If you spend some of this week learning your lines so you are secure with them the show will be better.  If as you are doing this you are walking yourself through your journey through the play it will be better still.  If you are also thinking about character and relationships as you do this, it will be even better.  Also if you are clear and sorted about rehearsal times and venues and dress rehearsals and you have gathered your props and costumes and sorted lifts out with parents or friends or bus timetables – the shows will be improved another degree.  And if you have organized and promoted how those you value can see the shows they will be enhanced once again with a host of lovely people with whom you can share the results of your endeavour…

I will spend this week scurrying and scrapping to get everything as ready as I can, stealing moments wherever they appear to do all the things needed for the shows to happen, as will Gemma…for all those that will be doing the same…I salute you…it’s lovely to have you on board… the results will be magic

 *Apart from Vampire Story



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