The Ensemble

ensemble: noun: a group constituting an organic whole or producing together a single effect.

A major part of the Ventoux Process (or at least from what I've noticed) is the cohesiveness of the Ensemble. We are all individual actors that come together and perform as a whole. Our tune-ups are done as a group, a lot of the focus work is done to make us aware of ourselves, our body is our instrument, and of those acting around us. This group is not about one actor or one performance. This group is about performing a 'single effect,' the show.

Schedules and time constraints have made the cohesive aspect of this group more difficult, but we are all dedicated to the single effect, we all have the same goal; and regardless of what we have going on in our personal lives, we have to perform to the best of our ability. We owe the audience that and more.

The show has taken on a new life and we now know what the first layer of the show looks like, but in these next 9 rehearsals we'll step up the intensity and see how deep we can make the layers. We are playing the same emotions as before, playing the same intent and need, but now it's time to see how intense we can make that need. How many steps and layers into the process can we delve? That's for each actor to decide, and I'd like to challenge myself and my fellow actors... find those 6 more changes and take it to a place you never thought you could get to. Step it up and start to play for the single effect.

Cheers.

So.... Here we are again...

This being my second experience with the Theatre Ventoux process I find myself taking more from the Tune-Ups than I had with "This Flattering Glass." I really love the Tune-Ups because it gives me a chance to let my world melt away and allow for my creative process to come forth. It doesn't matter what I come into the rehearsal space carrying or weighting on my mind, as soon as we focus on our breathing and start playing with the Space Ball, the world as I know it disappears for the next 3 hours and I am in the zone. It's a mini vacation from my life and playing in a life I am portraying.

"Childe Byron" is an intense, touching, and kick in the pants show that is so much fun to perform. I am loving this group of actors, most of which I've performed with before and some I've never worked with before. It really is a good range of talent.

Tonight we are to be off book. The dreaded time period (I'm sure you heard the do-do-dooooooooo music and a scream in the background) as the actors rush to make sure they know their lines better than they did last night. I spent the weekend camping and sitting by the fire memorizing my script, yes even when the drinks were getting passed around, I was memorizing my script. It's strange what we are willing to do for our art, isn't it?

I know that this week of rehearsal will be a little clunky, but that is to be expected. We are getting off book rather quickly, but I can't wait to get it out of my hands and really be able to act. I especially can't wait to further develop a particular character I am playing, knowing that it's going to be an amazing connection.

So for now, I'll be walking around my office, waltz stepping (I'll let another actor talk about the Waltz Rehearsal), memorizing and speaking in a British accent as much as I can. :-)

VLB!
AL

CHILDE BYRON: Let The Games Begin...

we begin formal rehearsals for cb tonight. more of the ventoux process, dialects, rough explorations of space and relationship, on our feet playing with what is, once again, a fantastically talented and dedicated group of interpretive artists. thanks to ebay we have our props and costumes (or most of them), thanks to steve sansebastian (fresno auction company) we have our set pieces.

i guess all that remains is to rush in where angels fear to tread...but then, we're no angels. or, perhaps we are, and angels were never what we thought they were.

at any rate: VLB!!!

etonne-moi
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