Anne Bogart says that the "constant state of any company of actors
is one of continual crisis". Just the act of performing an objective
upon another being is an act of crisis. A third party "judging" the
action, is a crisis.
On a first run though we have two
choices: 1) To ignore any sense of action or crisis, retreat to
"reinforcing the blocking" and having little in teh way of progress
occur in terms of the acting, or 2) we can face the crisis-- the
questions, the insecurities, the lapses of memory with bravery, with
clear-sightedness, and was can see what happens in the process. WE can
retreat or we can discover. I ask you to choose the latter tonight.
Stay focused, show curiosity and generosity, and infuse as much as you
are capable of at this early stage of the process.
Do not
judge-- just act and take action. Let's begin to meet this play and
really get to know it better. Have a conversation with Shakespeare and
each other and see what comes to the surface. Teh crisis is
worthwhile. This is not about getting it right. Tonight is about
beginning to get it alive.
Read to the cast of Richard III, July 14, 2009
