#2 Highlights

I have a new best friend.

Yes.  When an actor receives a part in a show, it is a very special moment...a punctuation moment...the first time a crispy fresh script is placed in their hands.  There is an unspoken claim to ownership of a role at this moment.  Variables become hard, tangible facts and there is no turning back.

Last night, I had my "receiving the script" moment.  Being an actor and a fan of Tennessee Williams, I naturally already had an old copy of the script that, as you already know, I have been rereading since landing Blanche just two days ago.  It was safe for me to read from that script.  I had used it in workshops or just leisure.  But, now I have MY script...the script for this play that I am going to be performing in under two months.  It will become quickly aged and worn like that favorite pair of jeans in a matter of weeks.

Like I said before, I find it worthwhile to read the script a few times as a whole prior to thinking about what your character may be feeling or how they may move or how they may speak.  This has always been an exercise of self control on my part because it is very, very easy for me to hear voices.  :) 

Having finished my prereads, this script now needs to be highlighted.  Most actors highlight what their characters say in the play to aid in memorization.  I do this.  I am a weirdo because I highlight different characters different colors.  I reserve my pink highlighting for the kinds of characters who have some sort of love interest, yellow for small parts...blue for...well, you get the picture.

Then there is orange.  I have always reserved orange for my special roles.  My extra big juicy characters.  I've only had a handful, actually, since I generally do the funny characters.  So, it is decided.  Blanche Dubois will be orange.