Never Give Up, Never Surrender

[Lady Celerity]

@MadamMeow & @Anek

Last night's rehearsal was interesting. The director added sound effects and let's just say some of them should be trashed! During one of my scenes there's supposed to be the sound of an executive using a buzzer to call his assistant (circa 1940's). The buzzer sound kept going off repeatedly during my lines and I almost thought a trap door was going to open in the stage and send me plummeting! There were several others that were very distracting and probably unnecessary and kept throwing all the actors off. It made for a very looooooonnnnng, frustrating and funny rehearsal.

26 Nov Workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ day 17
Iron Core Challenge day 3

Miso soup for dinner! The food emojis have disappeared! argh..!

 

[NancyTree]

You can always turn it into a 'behind the scenes' comedy version

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Last night's rehearsal was interesting. The director added sound effects and let's just say some of them should be trashed! During one of my scenes there's supposed to be the sound of an executive using a buzzer to call his assistant (circa 1940's). The buzzer sound kept going off repeatedly during my lines and I almost thought a trap door was going to open in the stage and send me plummeting! There were several others that were very distracting and probably unnecessary and kept throwing all the actors off. It made for a very looooooonnnnng, frustrating and funny rehearsal.

I have four words for your director: Dry cue-to-cue.
Seriously. Always rehearse your sound effects with technical staff only and get them nailed down as best you can before introducing them to the actors. Lighting cues too.
Sometimes you need mock sound effects during rehearsals if the fx is a cue for the actors. In which case you should be rehearsing with them all along. But the full sound design? That gets introduced to the actors at the Technical Rehearsal (full cue-to-cue). (Before which the stage manager is meant to give a speech to the actors reminding them that it's a technical rehearsal, and they're just there as props and shouldn't get frustrated about their timing being thrown off or not being able to emote properly because the SM keeps yelling "cut!" mid-scene, or whatever. The tech rehearsal is the one rehearsal that isn't about them. In my experience it helps to also bring cookies. Actors hate technical rehearsals!)

 

[Lady Celerity]

I have four words for your director: Dry cue-to-cue.
Seriously. Always rehearse your sound effects with technical staff only and get them nailed down as best you can before introducing them to the actors. Lighting cues too.
Sometimes you need mock sound effects during rehearsals if the fx is a cue for the actors. In which case you should be rehearsing with them all along. But the full sound design? That gets introduced to the actors at the Technical Rehearsal (full cue-to-cue). (Before which the stage manager is meant to give a speech to the actors reminding them that it's a technical rehearsal, and they're just there as props and shouldn't get frustrated about their timing being thrown off or not being able to emote properly because the SM keeps yelling "cut!" mid-scene, or whatever. The tech rehearsal is the one rehearsal that isn't about them. In my experience it helps to also bring cookies. Actors hate technical rehearsals!)

I agree @Laura Rainbow Dragon. The only hitch in dry cue-to-cue is that many of us are not just actors, we also help with set changes and props. We are a small community theatre group everyone pitches in with everything. Our official tech rehearsal is on Sunday and we've been warned that it will be start-stop-start and long. It's a bit nerve-wracking as they just installed new lighting and only one person knows how to use it so far. We actors haven't seen any of it yet. It's all bass-ackwards. But this is my third play with this group and somehow it all comes together when it matters. And yes, there will be plenty of cookies and snacks backstage! (And maybe a shot of something stronger when it's over!!)

 

[Lady Celerity]

Lovin' this time off! I get lots done around the house but in a leisurely way. Today I picked up an old watch that I had repaired. It belonged to my grandmother and I wanted to wear in the play as it fits the time period and my character. I like the idea of having a bit of Grandma Doris on stage with me. Other than that I've been busting out some chores and doing some Christmas shopping. It's still too soggy out to rake all the leaves (so I tell myself) but hopefully by the end of the week I can get it done.

27 Nov workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ day 18
Iron Core day 4

Making minestrone soup for dinner. Have a nice evening bees!

 

[Lady Celerity]

It's Thanksgiving Day in the US today and I chose to break with family tradition. I went to see Wicked and thoroughly enjoyed it! I spent 2 hours total driving + 3 hours movie. After sitting so long I really needed a workout!

28 Nov workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ day 19
Iron Core Challenge day 5

I am very thankful for all of you, bees! Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Lady Celerity]

This morning I did some Christmas shopping in our little downtown district. I really like to support our small businesses. Anywho, I ended up buying some very nice hiking boots for myself which I justified by:
#1. My old ones are worn out
#2. I'm going to Iceland in February and needed waterproof boots
#3. I'm helping a small business owner
#4. They were on sale!!!!

Certain family members are not playing nice today, having tried and failed to guilt me into conforming to their expectations. I refuse to play the game anymore. It feels freeing in an exciting/conflicting sort of way. Hard to explain. Sometimes I just wanna interact with my cat and forget all the humans.

29 Nov workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ day 20
Iron Core Challenge day 6

Have a great evening bees!
PS Pixie says hi!

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Ooh! Hiking in Iceland sounds wonderful! Enjoy!

Certain family members are not playing nice today, having tried and failed to guilt me into conforming to their expectations. I refuse to play the game anymore. It feels freeing in an exciting/conflicting sort of way.

Well done!

Sometimes I just wanna interact with my cat and forget all the humans.

I get this. I like people. I love sharing a feast with my friends. But I'm thankful I get to spend the big, high-pressure, unreasonable-expectations holidays with just my dog Shelby now.

PS Pixie says hi!

Hi Pixie! You are beautiful!

 

[TopNotch]

Hi, Pixie!

 

[Lady Celerity]

Today I have been very busy. It's my last day of freedom until after our show ends Dec. 7. So I have been getting ready for a week of rehearsals/performances, a busy season at work, houseguests arriving next weekend, putting up Christmas decor, meal prep for the week, chores, etc. etc. In between all this I still managed to have a nice lunch with my daughter and catch up with her.

Can you believe it's the last day of November already????!!!!!

30 Nov workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ day 21
Iron Core Challenge day 7

Have a great evening bees!

 

[Syrius]

Hi Pixie!!

 

[Lady Celerity]

Briefly checking in to log a couple of days. It's been work-rehearsal-sleep-repeat. Ditto for the rest of the week. There is stomach flu going around and a couple of actors have been sick. I'm really hoping that those affected recover quickly and that no one else gets it. We've been sending home sick kids at the school too. I'm keeping up with exercises and trying to get sleep. It's been challenging to get a healthy dinner in since we basically go from work to the theatre. Last night we had smoothies!

2 Dec workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ day 22
Iron Core Challenge day 8

3 Dec workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ day 23
Iron Core Challenge day 9

Now to make some bean burritos for dinner and then our last rehearsal before a soft (dress rehearsal with limited audience) tomorrow night. Have a great evening!