There is an old saying in theatre: A bad dress rehearsal means a great opening night and a good run. It's thought that the adrenalin produced on opening night after a disasterous dress rehearsal will solve all problems and even allow the show to transcend artistic expectations and really fly. Some people secretly hope for a bad dress rehearsal. After all, it makes for a great theatre story, right?
Not me. No way.
I want a dress rehearsal that is almost boring, we know what we're doing so well. I want a dress rehearsal in which the cast can start to move well through the space, listen to each other one last time, and make a few more discoveries before having to integrate the audience into what they are doing. I want a dress rehearsal during which it becomes painfully clear that we need an audience. And, I also want a black and white pony.
What I mean is that we can't always get that fantastic dress rehearsal. We sometimes (as we did with Wrong For Each Other produced by Encore Productions here in Toronto) get a little behind in our scheduling goals. This time we had a vacation half way through the rehearsal process, preceeded by a night of sickness (losing one rehearsal), and followed by Easter (losing two more rehearsals). All in all, we lost about two and a half weeks from about a seven week rehearsal process. This period (in the way I approach rehearsing), unfortunately, is the chunk of time normally allotted work the heck out of the scenes, doing them over and over and over again and practically learning the lines on our feet. But we lost all that time. Ooooookay.
What happened to us? Well, fear not, gentle reader. Enter my fabulous, glorious, hard-working cast. Mario D'Alimonte and Kelly Ann Woods spent the rest of what was left of our rehearsal period hammering out their lines, working very hard, solving problems, and gracefully adjusting as we understood how scenes transitions needed to flow (because we hadn't even had a chance to rehearse them either). We all had our eye fixed clearly on our goals and we worked hard.
And the process became about the lines. Remembering the lines. Not getting lost in the lines. See, they didn't get that awesome chance to learn those lines as they moved through the space over, and over, and over again. They literally had to learn them by rote. Ptui. As we moved into the theatre, there was very little forward momentum in terms of progress in performing the piece. After we moved in, we leapt ahead every night but, still, I had no idea what the dress rehearsal would bring.
It was a magical night. It's so amazing to see two actors relax into their roles and really listen. Turn off the part of the brain that worries about lines and turn on the part of the brain that understands timing and delivery. Turn off the part of the brain that tells them where to move and turn on the part of the brain that just allows you to be present. It's a kind of flowering of performance that usually happens a few runs in for most shows, sometimes later, and, sadly, sometimes never. And such a gift for a director. Notes were swift that night -- just remarking on this or that little problem and clearing up one interpretive issue. They did a fabulous job.
And are still doing it, by the way. We are getting excellent audience response. I am not necessarily saying that a bad dress rehearsal means a bad opening. Far from it. I am just saying that one can, even in the extreme circumstances as we had here, have an excellent dress rehearsal and an excellent run.
Jacqui Burke is
a freelance director, writer, and theatrical teacher living in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. She is currently directing Wrong for Each Other
for Encore Productions opening
in April, Kidsplay 2012: The Mayan Prediction
opening in June, and The Last Five Years
for TOKL Productions opening in July. She is, also,
serializing The
Pretender, her first novel,
online at http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/.
She is preparing for two Shakespeare is Boffo! summer camp
sessions for 2012.
Want to contact me?
Jacqui
Burke
Artistic
Director
Jaybird
Productions
talk/text: 647-292-0210
twitter: @jaybird01
skype: Jacquiburkecell, jacqui.burke
www.wordsnimages.com
www.jaybirdproductions.ca
www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
http://jacquiburke.blogspot.ca
http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/
http://jaybirdproductions.blogspot.ca/
Ask me about Shakespeare is Boffo!
Premium Summer Camps for Kids. Two installments in
2012: The Homeschoolers` Version: 11:00 am
– 3:30 pm, August 13-17, 2012 for only $125.
Premium Full Day Summer Camp: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm,
July 16-20, 2012 for only $155. Both prices hold until May
15th, 2012. Spots are going fast. Register, now at www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
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Warbles in the dark.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
A standing ovation just can't beat a walk across the lobby...
Just about every community theatre show I see gets some kind of standing ovation. Which is super duper and really supportive of the audience. And most folks I talk to after seeing these shows think they are just great. Which, again, is super duper and really supportive. Reviews of every community show tend to be neutral or glowing. Which, again, is super duper and really supportive. And, finally, a few days ago, I went to the ACTCO (Association of Community Theatres of Central Ontario) Gala, a party at which awards for community theatre are given out -- best actor, best show, etc. This gala is the final event in a process designed to teach community theatre folk how to present shows better. The awards were, for the most part, fairly and evenly spaced amongst the groups. Every group got a nod in terms of a nomination. Which, again, is super duper and really supportive.
What it isn't is discerning, which is too bad. Because healthy crticism can make us better performers or designers or directors or whatever.
Our impulse -- and don't forget, mine too! -- is to support our friends and fellows busting their butts out there for no money and little recognition. Ask me what I thought of the show in the lobby after and I am honestly going to tell you the positive bits because I, personally, honour all the effort and work put into every community theatre show.
But, wait. What if what *I* am doing as a director actually isn't that good? What if I'm not getting any better or floundering a little? If I (and let me tell you, I have lots of opinions) won't give negative feedback after a show, how would I expect anyone else to so do? And the corollory, if I am blind to something I am doing which is weak, how will I know without constructive criticism?
How does a director or actor or designer or whatever really know that what they are doing is entertaining or as entertaining and clear as it should be?
One would immediately say, what about that person's friends? A good friend will be honest, no? Well, not if one surrounds oneself with folks who idolize or who are politically silent.
Me? I rely on perfect strangers. And not even the kindness of perfect strangers but, really, their feet.
Firstly, audiences vote with their feet and I don't mean getting on their feet during the applause. The average theatre goer might not know all the whys of what they love about a show but it, usually, makes them want to come back for more. So, a solid indication of quality is a growing audience or growing subscription base. The group should be able to monitor by watching the figures over time what directors or actors or show choices their audiences love. There should be a direct correlation between whether the public likes a show and the sales of the NEXT one or subscriptions to the NEXT year - allowing, of course, for solid show choices that should appeal to your audience.
Secondly (this happens but rarely and it is so sweet when it does), you are standing in the lobby after a show and a complete stranger walks over to you, seeking you out, and tells you that this show was one of the best they have seen in the space in a number of years. Or they honestly tell you that you gave a great performance. Or that that nifty design thing you did was cool. Complete strangers. Crossing the lobby.
As long as I am impressing people I don't know enough for them to make that effort to cross the lobby and talk to me, I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track.
Jacqui Burke is a freelance director, writer, and theatrical teacher living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is currently directing Wrong for Each Other for Encore Productions opening in April, Kidsplay 2012: The Mayan Prediction opening in June, and The Last Five Years for TOKL Productions opening in July. She is, also, serializing The Pretender, her first novel, online at http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/. She is preparing for two Shakespeare is Boffo! summer camp sessions for 2012.
Want to contact me?
Jacqui Burke
Artistic Director
Jaybird Productions
talk/text: 647-292-0210
twitter: @jaybird01
skype: Jacquiburkecell, jacqui.burke
www.wordsnimages.com
www.jaybirdproductions.ca
www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
http://jacquiburke.blogspot.ca
http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/
http://jaybirdproductions.blogspot.ca/
Ask me about Shakespeare is Boffo! Premium Summer Camps for Kids. Two installments in 2012: The Homeschoolers` Version: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm, August 13-17, 2012 for only $125. Premium Full Day Summer Camp: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, July 16-20, 2012 for only $155. Both prices hold until May 15th, 2012. Spots are going fast. Register, now at www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
Like what you read?
Encourage me by clicking on one of these ads in this blog.
What it isn't is discerning, which is too bad. Because healthy crticism can make us better performers or designers or directors or whatever.
Our impulse -- and don't forget, mine too! -- is to support our friends and fellows busting their butts out there for no money and little recognition. Ask me what I thought of the show in the lobby after and I am honestly going to tell you the positive bits because I, personally, honour all the effort and work put into every community theatre show.
But, wait. What if what *I* am doing as a director actually isn't that good? What if I'm not getting any better or floundering a little? If I (and let me tell you, I have lots of opinions) won't give negative feedback after a show, how would I expect anyone else to so do? And the corollory, if I am blind to something I am doing which is weak, how will I know without constructive criticism?
How does a director or actor or designer or whatever really know that what they are doing is entertaining or as entertaining and clear as it should be?
One would immediately say, what about that person's friends? A good friend will be honest, no? Well, not if one surrounds oneself with folks who idolize or who are politically silent.
Me? I rely on perfect strangers. And not even the kindness of perfect strangers but, really, their feet.
Firstly, audiences vote with their feet and I don't mean getting on their feet during the applause. The average theatre goer might not know all the whys of what they love about a show but it, usually, makes them want to come back for more. So, a solid indication of quality is a growing audience or growing subscription base. The group should be able to monitor by watching the figures over time what directors or actors or show choices their audiences love. There should be a direct correlation between whether the public likes a show and the sales of the NEXT one or subscriptions to the NEXT year - allowing, of course, for solid show choices that should appeal to your audience.
Secondly (this happens but rarely and it is so sweet when it does), you are standing in the lobby after a show and a complete stranger walks over to you, seeking you out, and tells you that this show was one of the best they have seen in the space in a number of years. Or they honestly tell you that you gave a great performance. Or that that nifty design thing you did was cool. Complete strangers. Crossing the lobby.
As long as I am impressing people I don't know enough for them to make that effort to cross the lobby and talk to me, I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track.
Jacqui Burke is a freelance director, writer, and theatrical teacher living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is currently directing Wrong for Each Other for Encore Productions opening in April, Kidsplay 2012: The Mayan Prediction opening in June, and The Last Five Years for TOKL Productions opening in July. She is, also, serializing The Pretender, her first novel, online at http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/. She is preparing for two Shakespeare is Boffo! summer camp sessions for 2012.
Want to contact me?
Jacqui Burke
Artistic Director
Jaybird Productions
talk/text: 647-292-0210
twitter: @jaybird01
skype: Jacquiburkecell, jacqui.burke
www.wordsnimages.com
www.jaybirdproductions.ca
www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
http://jacquiburke.blogspot.ca
http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/
http://jaybirdproductions.blogspot.ca/
Ask me about Shakespeare is Boffo! Premium Summer Camps for Kids. Two installments in 2012: The Homeschoolers` Version: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm, August 13-17, 2012 for only $125. Premium Full Day Summer Camp: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, July 16-20, 2012 for only $155. Both prices hold until May 15th, 2012. Spots are going fast. Register, now at www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
Like what you read?
Encourage me by clicking on one of these ads in this blog.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Welcome to my boutique....summer camp.
About a week before I was slated to start teaching the March Break
Camp this year, I saw the signs. The ROM was advertising all over town
for its summer camps - early in March. Of course, my heart sank. I
simply do not have the advertising clout that can be marshaled by a
major institution like that. And they were full on, probably expecting
to get a ton of registrations during March Break or these weeks following
as harried parents scurry to get their kids into quality programs. Half
of those slots will be filled in the next few weeks. So what the heck
do I think I'm doing out here in this crazy competitive market?
The wail of the tiny -- smaller than small -- business person.
So, in order to keep the chin up, I believe a reiteration of core values is in order:
So, if you are looking for a freer, more fluid, and active experience for your child this summer, welcome to my tiny little boutique camp without the boutique price. How did I manage that? Not my fault. I thank my friend Trish O'Reilly at The Open Door for her tireless efforts to make use of empty space at St. David's Anglican Church. They have a great series of summer programs there -- all at great prices, all artist-driven with low teacher/camper ratios.
I am hoping to have the budget to compete in advertising, at least a little bit, with the more established camps and institutional camps. Well, maybe next year.... :)
Jacqui Burke is a freelance director, writer, and theatrical teacher living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is currently directing Wrong for Each Other for Encore Productions opening in April, Kidsplay 2012: The Mayan Prediction opening in June, and The Last Five Years for TOKL Productions opening in July. She is, also, serializing The Pretender, her first novel, online at http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/. She is preparing for two Shakespeare is Boffo! summer camp sessions for 2012.
Want to contact me?
Jacqui Burke
Artistic Director
Jaybird Productions
talk/text: 647-292-0210
twitter: @jaybird01
skype: Jacquiburkecell, jacqui.burke
www.wordsnimages.com
www.jaybirdproductions.ca
www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
http://jacquiburke.blogspot.ca
http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/
http://jaybirdproductions.blogspot.ca/
Ask me about Shakespeare is Boffo! Premium Summer Camps for Kids. Two installments in 2012: The Homeschoolers` Version: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm, August 13-17, 2012 for only $125. Premium Full Day Summer Camp: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, July 16-20, 2012 for only $155. Both prices hold until May 15th, 2012. Spots are going fast. Register, now at www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
The wail of the tiny -- smaller than small -- business person.
So, in order to keep the chin up, I believe a reiteration of core values is in order:
- I started these camps in the hope of attracting active kids to the study of theatre in general and Shakespeare in the specific. How? Give the kids boffer (soft) swords and let them bash each other about benignly (and then get them to do a bit of performing as well). It's active. It's fun. They love it. And kids who are active actually learn better. So, so...
- I started these camps with the goal of sending kids home tired. Course it tires me out, too, but what the heck?
- I started these camps to offer a premium artist-led experience
- I started these camps to get the kids outside for a significant portion of the day. Fresh air is good for you.
So, if you are looking for a freer, more fluid, and active experience for your child this summer, welcome to my tiny little boutique camp without the boutique price. How did I manage that? Not my fault. I thank my friend Trish O'Reilly at The Open Door for her tireless efforts to make use of empty space at St. David's Anglican Church. They have a great series of summer programs there -- all at great prices, all artist-driven with low teacher/camper ratios.
I am hoping to have the budget to compete in advertising, at least a little bit, with the more established camps and institutional camps. Well, maybe next year.... :)
Jacqui Burke is a freelance director, writer, and theatrical teacher living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is currently directing Wrong for Each Other for Encore Productions opening in April, Kidsplay 2012: The Mayan Prediction opening in June, and The Last Five Years for TOKL Productions opening in July. She is, also, serializing The Pretender, her first novel, online at http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/. She is preparing for two Shakespeare is Boffo! summer camp sessions for 2012.
Want to contact me?
Jacqui Burke
Artistic Director
Jaybird Productions
talk/text: 647-292-0210
twitter: @jaybird01
skype: Jacquiburkecell, jacqui.burke
www.wordsnimages.com
www.jaybirdproductions.ca
www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
http://jacquiburke.blogspot.ca
http://thepretender-amarcienoelnovel.blogspot.ca/
http://jaybirdproductions.blogspot.ca/
Ask me about Shakespeare is Boffo! Premium Summer Camps for Kids. Two installments in 2012: The Homeschoolers` Version: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm, August 13-17, 2012 for only $125. Premium Full Day Summer Camp: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, July 16-20, 2012 for only $155. Both prices hold until May 15th, 2012. Spots are going fast. Register, now at www.shakespeareisboffo.ca
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