I've always thought that matinee audiences were the worst. That was the only thing wrong with how today's performance went. For some reason, the Sunday afternoon crowd was very nonresponsive; so many things that the audiences on the other nights laughed, applauded or responded to fell to silent response from this afternoon's crowd. While this was a little discouraging, I feel confident enough in the job I did to know that I was giving it my best.
And thus ends our run of Baby. With this senior project of mine coming to an end, it's been a wake-up call for a lot of things. B.J. told me, Tabby and Steven how proud he was of the three of us, which made me realize how he's been there since I first came to this school and was on the running crew for his project. I realized that this will probably be the final show I do at this school with old friends like Steven and all the new freshmen I've been able to watch take their first steps towards growth. The biggest realization for me, though, was that, for once, I actually feel like I've grown as an artist. I've looked back on who I used to be and who I am now, and see that there's SO much difference. And yet I still feel that there's room to improve. The minute I stop admitting that, I stop growing, and Baby has made me see how much of that I can still do.
That wraps up my blog! Thanks so much to everyone who followed along and read about my progress. I plan to keep this up, and as soon as I get pics from the show I'll post them! Thanks to my friends and family for their support, Marcus for his amazing guidance, and of course, Jesus Christ, through whom all of this is possible!
Curtain
Monday, November 22, 2010
11/20/10 - 3rd Performance
This has been the best show we've had so far in the run!!! Everything felt great; acting, singing, technical aspects, everything! Not that it was perfect, but it was still an amazing run. Along with the afternoon I had had before the show, this was a great way to cap off a really awesome day.
11/19/10 - 2nd Performance
Second nights usually have a few problems, and Baby was no exception. Certain scenes with Mary Kate didn't feel as connected as they usually do, and my singing was a little pitchy at certain points. The biggest screw-up, though, was on my part. My prop cell phone for the band crossover in Act I, Scene 12 was missing; I eventually had to borrow Anna, a member of the costume crew's, iPhone for the scene. I was pretty upset, assuming that someone had taken it and not put it back. It wasn't until I looked through my stuff, though, that I found that that someone was me; I forgot to put it back the last time I used it. Aside from that embarrassment, everything else went well, just not as well as last night. These things happen, though; I'm not going to let it get to me.
11/18/10 - Opening Night
Opening nights are always so thrilling! While I said that having the audience last night was good, nothing compares to having a near-full house waiting to see this show's first official run. And they loved it! Tonight's run went great. There was one big technical issue, unfortunately: the auto-tuning didn't turn on for "Fatherhood Blues!" That was kind of disappointing, but the audience still loved the number. It's hard to believe that we only have three more times to do this. I can't wait to see how they turn out!
11/17/10 - Invited Dress
Having an audience there tonight, as small as it was, was so useful. I admit I had to fight a little bit of Jimmy Fallon. though. I didn't expect there to be laughter when there was, or at least for it to be as strong as it was. At the same time, when something really worked, they let us know. A few more notes here and there, but overall, I feel SO ready to open tomorrow night.
11/6-16/10 - 30th-40th Rehearsals
So I've fallen behind on my journaling for the past week and a half. Due to the fact that these rehearsals have been complete run-throughs and tech runs, a lot of the events have blurred together, so I figured I would just address the highlights all in this one entry.
On the night of our 31st rehearsal, I hit the lowest point I've had in this whole process...in terms of my self-confidence. Nothing went wrong, I was just being way to self-critical and thought I wasn't performing as good as I should be, and this led to me having a private emotional breakdown backstage. Marcus noticed my behavior afterwards, during our intermission break, and spoke to me for a bit. He raised my spirits back up, and helped me realize that while I'm working, that's all I need to focus on: the work. I could worry about the self-criticism at the end of the day. This really helped me out, and I'm now working on a new, more affirmative way to approach my rehearsal process.
On the same night, we finally added auto-tuning to "Fatherhood Blues." It sounds so cool! I've never done a show with anything like it before! The kinks have been getting worked out as we've kept working on it, and now it's gonna be great when we put it in front of an audience. Carl also came by one night and choreographed some new choreography. It took some getting used to; I tend to panic a little when something that new is added this late in the rehearsal process. Eventually, though, I got the hang of it. It looks good, and goes well with the auto-tuning.
On a vocal note, Laurie and Marcus told me to cut the rock singing. They're worried that it's taking too much of a toll on my voice. I'm okay with this; I know how to make the songs sound contemporary enough to still meet Marcus's vision while still singing safe.
The band was added to the show, and they sound amazing! It gives this old '80s show a totally new sound. I love the rock influence, and I know the audience is going to love it, too.
These are the simplest costumes I've ever worn for a show, since they're so close to what I wear everyday anyway. Two things have me stoked: a Thundercats T-shirt and pleather pants! I may sound like a real geek in saying this, but they make me feel so cool!
Finally, I have to mention the awesome crew that has been brought in for set transitions. They caught on quick to the flow of the show, and have worked as hard as the rest of us. I really hope their work helps them become successful in this department.
Tomorrow night is our invited dress rehearsal, our first night with an audience and with every element coming smoothly together. We're so ready to open! I'm excited!
On the night of our 31st rehearsal, I hit the lowest point I've had in this whole process...in terms of my self-confidence. Nothing went wrong, I was just being way to self-critical and thought I wasn't performing as good as I should be, and this led to me having a private emotional breakdown backstage. Marcus noticed my behavior afterwards, during our intermission break, and spoke to me for a bit. He raised my spirits back up, and helped me realize that while I'm working, that's all I need to focus on: the work. I could worry about the self-criticism at the end of the day. This really helped me out, and I'm now working on a new, more affirmative way to approach my rehearsal process.
On the same night, we finally added auto-tuning to "Fatherhood Blues." It sounds so cool! I've never done a show with anything like it before! The kinks have been getting worked out as we've kept working on it, and now it's gonna be great when we put it in front of an audience. Carl also came by one night and choreographed some new choreography. It took some getting used to; I tend to panic a little when something that new is added this late in the rehearsal process. Eventually, though, I got the hang of it. It looks good, and goes well with the auto-tuning.
On a vocal note, Laurie and Marcus told me to cut the rock singing. They're worried that it's taking too much of a toll on my voice. I'm okay with this; I know how to make the songs sound contemporary enough to still meet Marcus's vision while still singing safe.
The band was added to the show, and they sound amazing! It gives this old '80s show a totally new sound. I love the rock influence, and I know the audience is going to love it, too.
These are the simplest costumes I've ever worn for a show, since they're so close to what I wear everyday anyway. Two things have me stoked: a Thundercats T-shirt and pleather pants! I may sound like a real geek in saying this, but they make me feel so cool!
Finally, I have to mention the awesome crew that has been brought in for set transitions. They caught on quick to the flow of the show, and have worked as hard as the rest of us. I really hope their work helps them become successful in this department.
Tomorrow night is our invited dress rehearsal, our first night with an audience and with every element coming smoothly together. We're so ready to open! I'm excited!
Friday, November 5, 2010
11/5/10 - 29th Rehearsal
Tonight was a very smooth run of Act II. It went really well. The best part of the night, though was afterward, when Marcus held me and Mary Kate back to re-stage "Two People in Love." He said the choreography just wasn't working out for him, and, to be honest, we felt like it wasn't either. I didn't want to say anything, but it's the same reason that it wasn't for Marcus; it felt too unnatural for the two of us. The three of us went through and did a lot of things out of our own ideas. The number feels SO much better now! Mary Kate and I feel really good about it.
11/4/10 - 28th Rehearsal
Tonight we ran through Act II, with a lot of start-and-stop. One change that happened for me was an addition to the blocking for the scene before "Two People in Love." After I say the line which stops the fight and the pause that follows, I cross to the rocker that's downstage right and sit. It felt like it made the scene more physically active, and emotionally it gave me somewhere to go.
My voice feels better tonight. Luckily, all of my singing in Act II requires just my normal voice, so there was no strain from any rock singing. The only problem was that Mary Kate and I were flat on "Pre-Two People in Love." I'll ingrain the right sound into my head on my own.
My voice feels better tonight. Luckily, all of my singing in Act II requires just my normal voice, so there was no strain from any rock singing. The only problem was that Mary Kate and I were flat on "Pre-Two People in Love." I'll ingrain the right sound into my head on my own.
11/3/10 - 27th Rehearsal
Tonight's run of Act I got off to a bad start for me...mainly because I was bleeding! I cut my finger on one of the guitar strings during Scene 2 and didn't realize I was bleeding badly until after the song started. I tried and failed to get Marcus's attention, so I kept going. As soon as it was done, though, we got my hand cleaned and my finger bandaged. Hard to believe that much blood could come out of one small cut!
The run of the Act went well, with a few bumps here and there. Marcus "showed mercy" on me and Mary Kate and, rather than have us sit on the bus station bench in the dark during "Romance I" and Alan and Arlene's scene, let us exit once the lights go down on us and re-enter before they come back up. This is great; that's a long time to sit in the dark!
Marcus and Laurie came up to me again about my voice. They told me to give it a break tomorrow and not do any rock singing, just my normal voice. I'm sure that that will a good break for it.
The run of the Act went well, with a few bumps here and there. Marcus "showed mercy" on me and Mary Kate and, rather than have us sit on the bus station bench in the dark during "Romance I" and Alan and Arlene's scene, let us exit once the lights go down on us and re-enter before they come back up. This is great; that's a long time to sit in the dark!
Marcus and Laurie came up to me again about my voice. They told me to give it a break tomorrow and not do any rock singing, just my normal voice. I'm sure that that will a good break for it.
11/2/10 - 26th Rehearsal
Tonight was a very start-and-stop run of Act I. We worked out a lot of kinks here and there and even changed some scene order. B.J. and I now enter later for Scene 6 due to the Nurse-Pam scene getting placed in the beginning, and Pam's bad news dialogue interrupts "At Night She Comes Home To Me" before we finish. Some of my blocking for "I Chose Right" also changed so that I'm not blocking myself off from house right. There was an issue with the rest of the chorus guys not being there during the crossover of Danny's bad during Scene 12, which Marcus addressed.
One big thing, though, was that Marcus and Laurie talked to me about my voice. They notice that it's starting to sound strained and worn out. I'll admit, today was an off day for my singing. They suggested that I start doing a vocal "cool-down" after rehearsals and start gargling salt water in the mornings. I'll start on that tomorrow and see how things go.
One big thing, though, was that Marcus and Laurie talked to me about my voice. They notice that it's starting to sound strained and worn out. I'll admit, today was an off day for my singing. They suggested that I start doing a vocal "cool-down" after rehearsals and start gargling salt water in the mornings. I'll start on that tomorrow and see how things go.
11/1/10 - 25th Rehearsal
Tonight we finished where we left off on Friday with Act II, starting with Scene 7 and going until the end. Marcus gave me a new way to perform the final scene. Rather than just "playing the lines," I rush in, excited and amazed at the birth I've just witnessed. Once I kept doing it and getting into that frame of mind, I found myself actually close to being speechless!
Then we spent the rest of the night working on transitions. Not much new that affected me, except that I now help with the bed after "What Could Be Better." Marcus did make the announcement that, due to family issues, Carl would not be able to come back until the 10th. This is the first I've heard of this; I hope everything's okay.
Then we spent the rest of the night working on transitions. Not much new that affected me, except that I now help with the bed after "What Could Be Better." Marcus did make the announcement that, due to family issues, Carl would not be able to come back until the 10th. This is the first I've heard of this; I hope everything's okay.
10/30/10 - 24th Rehearsal
We attempted to have our first full run of the show tonight. We only got as far as Act II, Scene 6, but we almost made it! It went really well. Mary Kate and I are starting to click in terms of our chemistry; "What Could Be Better" really brightened my day. I'm also feeling more in touch with the character physically. Being off-book has allowed me to experiment more with my choices and movement. This has really renewed my confidence from the way it was last night.
10/29/10 - 23rd Rehearsal
Tonight was a dance review with Carl. I got a few tweaks here and there, such as some extra stuff in "We Start Today" and some changed positions in "Two People in Love." It went alright, except that I'm still having trouble giving Marcus the physicality he wants, particularly in "Fatherhood Blues." It's a little discouraging; I'm worried that I'm so far out of my league with certain aspects of this role that I'm going to turn in a terrible performance. This isn't because of Marcus or anyone else, but my own mentality. I'm sure if I just take a night and rest, things will feel better tomorrow.
10/27-28/10 - 21st & 22nd Rehearsals
The past couple of nights were very recent changes to the schedule. All we did was sing through all of the numbers we were having problems with, most of the issues concerning the chorus's transitions. Mary Kate and I did have some issues in terms of our mid-song dialogue for "What Could Be Better" and "Two People in Love." We fixed the first one out with Laurie, and the second one we eventually realized would sync up fine when we did it with the staging. We've always been firm in our knowledge of the music, though, so with the exception of the problems mentioned above, it's been a pretty stress-free couple of nights.
10/25/10 - 20th Rehearsal
Tonight we blocked everything else involvng Lizzie and Danny, so there's plenty to talk about.
First we blocked a new crossover in Act I, Scene 12, where we get to see me with my band. Lizzie tries to call me to let me know that the baby has started kicking, and when I answer the phone, the rest of the guys take my phone and run off with it. It's cool to have that addition to my story.
Next was Act I, Scene 2 and "What Could Better." This is such a fun scene to do, because while the first scene served as an introduction, this is where we really get to see how these two function as a couple, especially upon finding out that Lizzie's pregnant. My nature at this point in the story is very caught off-guard; I remain loyal and supportive, but at the same time I'm absolutely clueless on what to do. These dynamics will definitely help out when we return to later scenes that we've already blocked.
We moved on to Act I, Scene 7, where I tell Lizzie about the audition for the punk band and put my foot down on her attempts to persuade me not to. This is a big moment for Danny, because, while not at the same level as the one in Act II, this is the closest thing to a fight we see these two get into by this point. This is also probably the most I've stood up to Lizzie before, powered by my sense of responsibility, my urge to do what's right, and my need to fulfill my role as the man of the relationship and the father of my child.
Finally, we blocked Act I, Scene 11, our scene at the bus station leading into "I Chose Right." It's a nice scene for me to overcome my own goofiness in order to be romantic for Lizzie. There's a great comedic moment where I try to command her to sit, then back down when I see I'm about to cross a line. The look Mary Kate gives me makes it so hard to keep a straight face.
Overall, tonight felt great having everything come together to complete my story arc. I can't wait to start run-throughs.
First we blocked a new crossover in Act I, Scene 12, where we get to see me with my band. Lizzie tries to call me to let me know that the baby has started kicking, and when I answer the phone, the rest of the guys take my phone and run off with it. It's cool to have that addition to my story.
Next was Act I, Scene 2 and "What Could Better." This is such a fun scene to do, because while the first scene served as an introduction, this is where we really get to see how these two function as a couple, especially upon finding out that Lizzie's pregnant. My nature at this point in the story is very caught off-guard; I remain loyal and supportive, but at the same time I'm absolutely clueless on what to do. These dynamics will definitely help out when we return to later scenes that we've already blocked.
We moved on to Act I, Scene 7, where I tell Lizzie about the audition for the punk band and put my foot down on her attempts to persuade me not to. This is a big moment for Danny, because, while not at the same level as the one in Act II, this is the closest thing to a fight we see these two get into by this point. This is also probably the most I've stood up to Lizzie before, powered by my sense of responsibility, my urge to do what's right, and my need to fulfill my role as the man of the relationship and the father of my child.
Finally, we blocked Act I, Scene 11, our scene at the bus station leading into "I Chose Right." It's a nice scene for me to overcome my own goofiness in order to be romantic for Lizzie. There's a great comedic moment where I try to command her to sit, then back down when I see I'm about to cross a line. The look Mary Kate gives me makes it so hard to keep a straight face.
Overall, tonight felt great having everything come together to complete my story arc. I can't wait to start run-throughs.
10/21/10 - 18th Rehearsal
Tonight was cleaned up and reviewed everything. Marcus was back, feeling better than he did last night. Not much to update, except for wishing Tabby's broken finger a quick recovery!
10/20/10 - 17th Rehearsal
Tonight we finally staged the "Birth Sequence" and the finale. Marcus was unfortunately too sick to be there, so Carl had full command of the night. I like what he's developed for my part of this number. The main word I'd use is hesitance. There's this big panic to get Lizzie to the hospital when she starts having contractions, but as soon as she gets me to stop and take in the moment, there's the huge uncertainty of if I'm ready to be a father. I eventually decide that I am, making the moment I take her hand much bigger for me. It's a great way to finally get the character to the final stage of his journey.
And the finale...well, it's a FINALE! It's awesome!
And the finale...well, it's a FINALE! It's awesome!
10/18/10 - 16th Rehearsal
We blocked Act II, Scene 6 tonight, which is the scene leading into "Two People in Love." It goes from having this initial awkwardness into a serious fight into the resolution, which leads into the song about how much they love each other...so, pretty complicated! Marcus's direction really made something click, though. The underlying issue with Danny in this scene is that he wants to say one thing: "I love you." But there's a fear of saying it, and a loss for how to say it. In fact, fear seems to what be what dominates me throughout the majority of the scene, because that seems to be what drives me to say the things I say during the fight.
The scene works, and with more time and repetition, it will have a really smooth flow.
The scene works, and with more time and repetition, it will have a really smooth flow.
10/17/10 - 15th Rehearsal
The only part of the night that I was called for was reviewing "Baby, Baby, Baby." There were a few changes on my part, but not much to report.
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