Work in Progress

I am beginning to think that the classroom is simply not the setting for a conducive rehearsal. The time restraints, the school work, the impending tests--the stress of it all is taking our actors' attention way from the task at hand, the performance. As a result, we spend an inordinate amount of time rehearsing the same parts over and over because our actors have forgotten what we discussed just yesterday. Kim and I have implemented a new strategy for rehearsals. We have decided to split our two problem actors up so that we have more time to focus on each individual. I chose to work with our lead actress, Anna, who is portraying Alba from The House of Spirits. I have a special connection with this character because I wrote all of her monologues in the performance. I also sculpted the performance around this character's unborn child and her actions. As Alba, Anna holds up the entire performance. She is the one who leads the audience through the experience and idea of the powerful family line of women. At this point, Anna has definitely emerged from her typical reserved nature, but she has still yet to tap into the amazing amount of power and courage that is Alba. I cannot seem to figure out how I can connect with Anna in order to allow her to connect with Alba's character. It is definitely a work in progress.