Last night the cast gathered for one last read through at the table before getting to our feet. Â This rarely happens in a rehearsal process. There’s simply never enough time. Â And yet these were hours wisely planned for by our director Bryan Close. Â After a week spent excavating Fry’s rich language and complex imagery, we were able to hear the story of the play revealed more clearly than ever before, and to get a deeper sense of how our characters’ journeys fit along the spine of this play.
It was exciting to watch each other breathe sense — and real, human life — into Fry’s words. Â Several of us remarked that we were inspired by each other’s work, which to my mind is the foundation for building a great ensemble. Â Like watching someone scale a cliff face by finding footholds where none were evident to you, it inspires you to reach beyond your perceived limitations. Â To see if you can’t surprise yourself by finding your own unexpected hold.
I’ve never gone rock-climbing, but I imagine it’s a good analogy for working in an ensemble. Â The trust you must have with your partners. Â The communication required to tackle a task in concert. Â The willingness to collaborate. Â The support you must lend as well as accept. Â And when all those things are working well, the enjoyment of the experience is unparalleled.
That’s why I’m in theater — to get a little piece of that high every time. Â And with only a week of rehearsals under our belt, I’m already getting that taste. Â Can’t wait to discover what the next weeks will bring. Â Can’t wait to find some of those unexpected holds.
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