07-31-11
I’ve had the pleasure of rehearsing Much Ado About Nothing for the last 4 weeks. It’s been a pleasure for many reasons: I’m playing a villain, which is something I’ve never done before and may never get to do again; I’m vocal coaching the show, which is a new and challenging experience; and I’m working with a group of talented, dedicated, pleasant-spirited people.
As Portland’s Shakespeare in the Parks company, we play in a different park each weekend, but we’ve been rehearsing for the last week in the park where we opened this weekend. Our playing space is at the bottom of a large staircase, which means we get to haul our set, costumes, and tent down and back up the stairs each day. Although this is not an ideal situation, it’s actually not a big deal either, because everyone is so gracious about it. We don’t complain about what a pain it is; instead, we make jokes about getting in shape. We help each other out, everybody pitches in, and nobody leaves until everything is done. These are not rules that had to be either named or enforced – it’s just what has happened since the beginning of tech week, and I’m proud to be part of such a generous group of people.
Despite our laudable work ethic, there were a few wrinkles in the week. Monday was our first rehearsal in the park and our first time loading everything in, and we got started a little late. Although we had gotten to the park at 6pm, we didn’t finish our run until about 9:30, by which time it was pitch black, and the park has very little lighting. Our director decided it was unsafe for us to try to load out in the dark, so we waited for the producer to bring flashlights and lanterns. We were maybe halfway done with the tear-down when the park sprinklers came on about 50 feet away from us on both sides. This caused a bit of a panic, and we cleared the area with as much speed as is possible while carrying heavy equipment up stairs in the dark. The sprinklers in our area came on as if on cue just as we moved the last items out of the way.
Our final dress rehearsal was Thursday night, and we were entertained by an amorous couple on the hillside no more than 20 feet from stage and in direct view of the people waiting backstage. They were engaged in what can only be described as “heavy petting” lasting through most of Act I and Intermission. When I came offstage after my first scene in Act II, I rounded the corner of the viewing area just in time to see the girl TAKE OFF HER SHORTS and… well, perhaps I’ve said too much already. Their boldness made my jaw drop, and I wondered why they hadn’t chosen a more secluded area to consummate their evening. They were on a hillside surrounded by well-trimmed grass and no bushes, and at this particular moment they actually had a pretty good spotlight created by a well-aimed patch of light from the setting sun shining through the branches of a tree at the bottom of the hill. Surely they were aware that they were in the company of 16 thespians rehearsing a play, as well as various other park-dwellers in relative close proximity. Did they think the brilliance of our performance would overshadow their lovemaking, drawing all eyes past their show and onto our stage? That’s flattering, I suppose, but unrealistic. While Benedick and Beatrice confessed their love with words onstage, Amorous Park Exhibitionists 1 and 2 gave us a real live physical love demonstration.
Ah, the wonders of Nature.
I’ve had the pleasure of rehearsing Much Ado About Nothing for the last 4 weeks. It’s been a pleasure for many reasons: I’m playing a villain, which is something I’ve never done before and may never get to do again; I’m vocal coaching the show, which is a new and challenging experience; and I’m working with a group of talented, dedicated, pleasant-spirited people.
As Portland’s Shakespeare in the Parks company, we play in a different park each weekend, but we’ve been rehearsing for the last week in the park where we opened this weekend. Our playing space is at the bottom of a large staircase, which means we get to haul our set, costumes, and tent down and back up the stairs each day. Although this is not an ideal situation, it’s actually not a big deal either, because everyone is so gracious about it. We don’t complain about what a pain it is; instead, we make jokes about getting in shape. We help each other out, everybody pitches in, and nobody leaves until everything is done. These are not rules that had to be either named or enforced – it’s just what has happened since the beginning of tech week, and I’m proud to be part of such a generous group of people.
Despite our laudable work ethic, there were a few wrinkles in the week. Monday was our first rehearsal in the park and our first time loading everything in, and we got started a little late. Although we had gotten to the park at 6pm, we didn’t finish our run until about 9:30, by which time it was pitch black, and the park has very little lighting. Our director decided it was unsafe for us to try to load out in the dark, so we waited for the producer to bring flashlights and lanterns. We were maybe halfway done with the tear-down when the park sprinklers came on about 50 feet away from us on both sides. This caused a bit of a panic, and we cleared the area with as much speed as is possible while carrying heavy equipment up stairs in the dark. The sprinklers in our area came on as if on cue just as we moved the last items out of the way.
Our final dress rehearsal was Thursday night, and we were entertained by an amorous couple on the hillside no more than 20 feet from stage and in direct view of the people waiting backstage. They were engaged in what can only be described as “heavy petting” lasting through most of Act I and Intermission. When I came offstage after my first scene in Act II, I rounded the corner of the viewing area just in time to see the girl TAKE OFF HER SHORTS and… well, perhaps I’ve said too much already. Their boldness made my jaw drop, and I wondered why they hadn’t chosen a more secluded area to consummate their evening. They were on a hillside surrounded by well-trimmed grass and no bushes, and at this particular moment they actually had a pretty good spotlight created by a well-aimed patch of light from the setting sun shining through the branches of a tree at the bottom of the hill. Surely they were aware that they were in the company of 16 thespians rehearsing a play, as well as various other park-dwellers in relative close proximity. Did they think the brilliance of our performance would overshadow their lovemaking, drawing all eyes past their show and onto our stage? That’s flattering, I suppose, but unrealistic. While Benedick and Beatrice confessed their love with words onstage, Amorous Park Exhibitionists 1 and 2 gave us a real live physical love demonstration.
Ah, the wonders of Nature.
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