Royal Bangkok Academy

Another MAJOR scene blocked yesterday! The school room and procession of the monks involve large numbers of the cast on stage, moving around (yikes!) at once.Everyone is working very attentively and there are already some outstanding characters begining to develope. I see our Prince Chululongkorn already exhibiting the characteristics of a leader in his voice and especially his bearing. Princess Yin Yaow Lak has all the energy we would hope for from a "favorite" daughter. The children as a whole get into the classroom with the greatest attitude, they are all going to be wonderful. Ok, I know I'm gushing. There are two more scenes with everybody on stage and we will be blocking them soon.

I always like to start blocking the most complicated scenes first. As is the case with this show, they are usually the scenes with the most memorable ensemble numbers and it also gives the cast a chance to really get familiar right off. This familiarity amongst the cast individuals is what allows them, I think, to find ways to relate to each other in the scene. This makes for more genuine "acting" characterization. I have been in casts where most of the first month of rehearsals involved smaller groups or pairs of actors and the "huge" group scenes were almost like an after thought, being "just" chorus. NO SUCH THING! Quite often these scenes left to the end, ended up being mostly composed of manufactured energy. It would be interesting to notice how by closing night the actors in the large groups would have just really started having the kind of connection that makes a show "real" and alive. I generally find that the earlier this building starts the more impressive the genuine energy on stage. Every role is important. Think about an impressionist or pointilist painting. I often picture one of Monet's oils of a meadow. In it there are many shades of greens, yellows, and some reds, mostly each color is just a series of individual daubs to create the whole landscape. If you took out the yellow from the mid sections the look of the whole field changes. If you take out the red in the lower right corner, you lose the impact of the other shades of green. They are complimentary colors. The same thing happens in a cast. Sure, there need to be some larger daubs of "color" than others to set the framework of the story but, take out any of the other "colors" and the story has no complimentary "colors" and becomes much weaker in it's impact on the audience. And, that's the bottom line. We want to tell this story in a way that impacts and connects with the audience. And, WE ARE WELL ON THE WAY!

presentment of children to school teacher!

I am always so impressed with the force of creative energy and willingness apparent when you get a cast together and working toward the same goal. Last night, despite cramped quarters, we blocked the entire scene 2 of Act I. Children coming and going, wives, attendants, everybody pretty much. It is always a joy for me to see the collaboration of an entire group of actors of various ages. Last night children as well as adults were asking super questions, listening to one another and patiently, beautifully doing the MOST difficult thing--WAITING! It's very humbling and exhilarating at the same time. I always believe that the pure, positive, energy of the whole group is what makes these shows happen. The audience, subconciously connects with that force, they become part of the creative experience, each night each crowd is a new experience. It is the entirety of creating this unrepeatable moment in time which is theater. Regardless of the production "problems," when I see the outcome of the actors efforts I always get high! Onward!

first choreography night

Wow! I know I keep saying this but there is no other way to describe how wonderful the people working on this show are! I also want to say thankyou to all those who spent large periods of time waiting for their cue to come up. I know from experience how difficult it can be to wait quietly and attentively as blocking and choreography work their slow way along. It does get faster! In two weeks you'll be surprised how much things have progressed! Here are a few pictures of the begining of the ballet choreography. I'm sure this will get a standing ovation of it's own! Thankyou Paula for your creative work and research.

first readthrough/sleighride

Wow! What an enjoyable read through this was! everyone read with such understanding and good volume. I know from experience that a read through can be tough on people in the cast who don't have any or very many lines but it is so important for everyone to actually hear the show in it's entirety at the onset. It will be almost two months before scenes will be run in connection to each other so that the story line gets played chronologically. This at least starts with everyone knowing what happens next! Thankyou also to Justin and Amanda for all their hard organizational work so things can run smoothly. When I came out into the beautiful sunshine this afternoon I knew we were going to have a fabulous cast sleighride, too!

We are building our own "family" when we do a musical. This gave us a chance to really get to know each other and have Jodi's chocolate cake too! These are some pictures from the great day.

King and I first rehearsal

Well, the hard decisions of casting are over and we have begun! We began tonight with the musical finale songs and what a great sound! We got to introduce ourselves to each other in an easy night that was dismissed earlier than most rehearsals will go. the last bit of double casting was also finished tonight. I can't wait until Middlebury sees this ballet! Thank you to all the moms, dads, husbands, wives who are the supporters of these cast members. In community theater it's ALWAYS about more than the efforts of those on stage! We are all grateful for everything you do! After Sunday's read through the real work/fun begins. Along with learning to hone our acting craft we will also be learning many aspects of another culture. Theater is the ULTIMATE multi-disciplinary learning experience.

The music for this show is almost all unison so it is really a showpiece for soloists and duets. We are blessed with some excellent voices from smallest child to head wife! Scripts are now in so line study can begin, too. Now on to blocking, choreography, etc., etc,. etc.!