Below are my journal entries from tech week, where we put the show on stage with all the set, props, costumes, lights, sound, and orchestra altogether for the first time.
October 23: Day One
I’m going to be 100% honest, I am very tired today, but I powered through. Putting any show in a new space is difficult, but today we had some difficulty with where offstage singers should stand. So, it was confusing trying to figure that out. Besides that, I think that it went as smoothly as a technical rehearsal can go. It was also the first time I’ve been micced for a show in Klein. My routine going into tech/a show is different than normal, so I need to get used to this change. Instead of coming in for half hour call a few minutes early and having plenty of time to spare before top of show, it felt hectic and I wasn’t sure what order I should do everything I needed to do in. Also, I was trying out my hair for the first time, so I learned more about how to do hair around the mic. I think it will become a routine, just like anything else, it’s just something I need to get used to.
I do love being able to be in the dressing room with my friends though. It’s extremely fun to be able to spend that time with everyone before we start everything for the day and it’s reenergizing. Especially after a long tiring day, it was just the thing I need to get ready for rehearsal.
October 24: Day Two
Day Two!! I am less tired today and ready to go! Something I’m focusing on during this tech process is being kind to myself and staying energized. Normally, around this time in a show, I’m running off of stress and fumes, but I really want to avoid that. I want to be kinder to myself and give myself respect. It makes the long days more enjoyable and easier.
Today, I worked with Marc on making the scream healthier and safer and how to safely run a scene with a scream in it multiple times. I think this was helpful for me as we head farther into tech because we may work the scene more than once in a night. Instead of screaming multiple times a night, I’m going to switch to saying “Ah!” or “scream!” Since they turn the mic off for the scream, it won’t affect the levels or mixing of sound and will protect my voice more.
October 25: Day Three, Makeup
I took off work for this week and next week in my journey to be kind to myself. So, I had the chance to relax and get everything together before my day started. I’ve also started to play around with the makeup I’m going to be wearing today. I took Stage Makeup last spring and it taught me how to apply base makeup for the stage quickly, which means I’m able to do the full look in a reasonable amount of time.
I really enjoy the effort and thought that can be put into makeup design. For Stage Makeup, I went through the design process for every look and I went through an abridged version for Mrs. Phelps. Normally, I’d start with a pinterest board based on the characters given circumstances and the vision I’m going for. From there, I’d design the makeup based on my interpretations. Instead of all of that, I took inspiration from my character work and from my costume. Mrs. Phelps wears a lot of bright colors and I think her makeup would match that. So, I went for a very pink, blush heavy look. She also has all these fun hair clips and pins, so I added glitter and sparkles into the eyeshadow. She’s a very excited, loud person generally, so I didn’t feel the need to tone her makeup down to make her seem mellow or quiet.
October 26: Day Four, Costume Jewelry
Today’s been a pretty great day, one of my classes got out early so I had the chance to get my bullet journal ready for November. Bullet journals are like a one stop shop for every planning/organization need I could have. I write everything in there, and it provides me a creative outlet. So, I really liked getting a headstart on November. When my bullet journal is pretty and well organized, I feel more put together.
I started off this rehearsal by getting to pick out some jewelry for Mrs. Phelps, which was super fun and exciting. She’s a kooky strange lady and she loves to accessorize, so she’s covered in some fun pieces. I really like big earrings and lots of jewelry myself, so it was really fun for me to look at everything we have in the costume shop and pick some things out for her. Outside of the earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, I also have lots of little toys in my hair. Mrs. Phelps loves a tchotchke. My favorite one is a little green seagull that I like to keep front and center because I think it’s so fun.
October 27: Day Five, Goals
A goal I have for today and tomorrow is to play more fully in the moments of the scenes. Mrs. Phelps is such a playful fun character and I think it’s okay to let go and play more than I am right now. Tech can get tedious and a little strenuous, but I think I can still find moments of play when we’re running the scenes. We moved through things fairly quickly today, and Mrs. Phelps added another accessory to her hair, this time it’s a pencil. It’s been really fun to see how my costume has progressed from my first fitting to now.
So many things have come from just playing around with who she is as a person. It’s a very collaborative process, which is different than most times I’ve been costumed. I picked many of the jewelry pieces and hair clips that I wear every night, which makes it even more special for me.
October 28: Day Six
It’s intermission right now of our evening run and I feel like I’m doing a really good job at playing more in the moment. I’m really happy with my commitment to exploring some new parts of Mrs. Phelps and her identity. This week has given me so much room to explore and play with the props and world. Our next step is to reintroduce the orchestra. I’m nervous for this, but I’m also really excited to see where the play will go next.
October 29: Wandelprobe
Today we did the wandelprobe, which is when we walk through the numbers with the orchestra for the first time. Since, I’m not onstage for any of the big numbers, I got to sit in the audience when I wasn’t singing offstage and watch the show for the first time. Normally, I never get to sit down and watch the rehearsal from the house because I’m in the wings for the whole run of the show. I really loved it so much.
Last time I was able to see the show at all was when we were in Wonderbread, since stage left doesn’t have a monitor. Since then, we’ve added the orchestra, lights, and sound. We’ve also added the final props for many of the scenes. So many of the set pieces have gone from cardboard boxes and lines on the floor to full, giant set pieces. Almost every aspect of this show is larger than life, which shows Matilda’s larger than life story and it’s so wonderful to see it all come back together. It’s crazy to see how far we’ve come so fast, but it’s just a testament to everyone’s hard work and dedication to the show.
October 30: Lost
Today has been pretty hard for me. I’ve been misplacing things left and right and it’s getting very stressful. Currently, my laptop charger and my Eagle One are missing. I need both of those things pretty much every day on campus, so I can’t just wait for them to hopefully turn up. I’ve looked everyone, and called the police department multiple times about my Eagle One. Today’s the third day it’s been missing, but I was hoping it would be in Dupont or somewhere else on campus. I’m pretty upset, I don’t know why I’ve been so scattered recently. I also have to submit my SETC audition before the first of November, so I’m stressed about completing everything in a timely manner. Even though I’m stressed, I’m going to focus on playing when I’m onstage. I can’t eliminate the feelings I’m having or change what I’m thinking, but I can acknowledge it and put that energy somewhere more productive.
I know that these feelings are valid and it doesn’t do me any good to ignore them or push them down. So, instead I’m trying to play with that nervous energy in different ways by implementing it in the scene.
October 31: Relief
Eagle One update! I am now the proud owner of an Eagle Two (they don’t actually call it an Eagle Two, sadly) and my SETC audition has been submitted. Also, it’s Halloween, so I can’t be too sad. I love Halloween so much, it’s one of my favorite holidays. I’ve loved seeing people in their costumes and people handing out candy to strangers. It’s so fun and wholesome, I love it.
This semester I’ve been really focused on being more honest in the moment and playing more. Rehearsal is the place to explore what I know about the character and give myself a chance to play with what I’ve been doing outside of the rehearsal hall to find life and joy in the scene. Every night is the first night Mrs. Phelps has heard the story of the acrobat and escapologist and she is so invested in finding out what’s happening.
As a reader and the granddaughter of a librarian myself, I completely understand her investment in the story. So, it’s something I can explore every time we do the Acrobat sequences. I just listen to the story and find new things that I haven’t noticed before.
