Reflections...

There were two parts to the deal with in terms of reflection... so I am going to split them apart.

How did it feel during rehearsal?  I enjoy that process.  We only read through the excerpt twice, but the questions from the actors before, during and after were very valuable to me.  I made some quick cuts to the dialogue and wrote myself from notes, but it is always wonderful to have an actor look at the script from the perspective of a character and ask me questions.  Those questions tell me where I need to go next when I go back to the script.  It is especially telling for the non-protagonist characters. I usually have the main character pretty locked down as to their journey, but the other characters are just as important.  If they are not real and fleshed out with purposes and objectives, they will not work.  One of the actors asked me at the beginning if I had been able to sleep the night before - nerves and all that.  I actually had no trouble sleeping - I saw the cast list and was thrilled so I was sure they were going to make it sound good!  I also liked having the director's voice there.  The last two shows I wrote I also directed and it is so nice to have an alternate voice guiding the piece so I can just be playwright.  I love that spirit of collaboration that makes the piece something more than what I just envision it to be.

How did I feel during the performance with an audience?  Nervous.  Always nervous, but very, very pleased.  I was surprised at how funny it was.  I don't of my writing as funny, but the laughs were there and they felt very good.  I loved the rhythm of the 3 scenes.  And I loved the commitment that the three actors gave to telling the story.  Nadien's face at the end of the second scene almost made me cry.  She really embraced the character.  My friend who came with me did get teary (yay!?).  It was so good.

Now what? Well, another draft and then I will send it off to Act One for further development.  I would love to get a workshop down the line to really hammer it into shape but it's not quite ready for that yet. Thanks so much, Conni and Tracy and my Circle Compadres, this was a wonderful writing experience!

And that's a wrap! For Edmonton anyway...

A big Congratulations to the Edmonton Playwrights' Circle!!
We had segments from 8 plays rehearsed and read on Monday- Phew!!!
All of you worked very hard to prepare for the reading, and it was a fun-filled, albeit busy day.

I look forward to seeing how your plays develop from here...

This will be the last 'official' posting for the Edmonton circle, but I do hope that you will all continue to keep in touch and talk shop when possible.

For those of you in Calgary- how is your circle going?
Tell us about the development of your plays, and what kinds of challenges you are coming across.

One last question:

You've now had a little bit of attention on your play- professional actors have read your words aloud to a public audience.
How did it feel to hear your words read A) in a rehearsal setting and B) in front of a live audience?
How will this experience help you in the further development of your play?

Throw in your comments, I'd love to hear how it went for YOU on Monday.

All the best,
Keep in touch-
Keep on writing!!

Tracy