We have been through some severe cold weather of late, and today finally begins some thawing. I am hoping to possibly see earth reveal her muddy self as all this snow melts off this week. I miss seeing the ground, but maybe it will help me as Blanche. Perhaps, by Friday, I can get the heels outside the house for Blanche-Walking practice.
Many things have happened in Blancheland this week. I am sorry to have not made it to My Blanche Dublog until now because so much has happened, but that's how it goes. Among other things, I have been measured for costumes, have run out of fancy bubble bath, have had my hair colored blonde, and have just finished up our forth rehearsal.
Costume Measuring:
When you are...over twenty...at times, this can be a somewhat unnerving process if you let it be one. I have given birth, so I always have to keep this in mind as I get measured and remember my former measurements prior to such an assault on the body (but with lovely souls as results!). Luckily, I am blessed with a costumer who has the exact same idea/eye/concept/landscape for Blanche. The colors will be wonderful! She and I both see flowing, clear fabrics or the "soft colors like a butterfly's wings." I am hoping to adjust the size a smidge within the next 6 weeks. I AM working on it! Oh, and she found this absolutely fabulous long flowing satin peach robe for me. I am thrilled! I seriously can't wait to twirl around in it. It has Blanche written all over it. That's the thing, sometimes the costume can really pull a character together for an actor. In my experience, and I have had a great deal of all sorts, I find that sometimes I can search and search for a character and never find it until I wear their clothes...walk in their shoes--if you will. This is not the case with Blanche, though. We knew immediately when the outfits "fit" her once they were on. Again, I am blessed with a very smart lady who knows her costumes!
Running out of fancy bubble bath:
I have run out of fancy bubble bath. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I hope my reserves will be replenished because it is a very perfect time to be in need for fancy chemical free bath suds. I will probably head out on my own to get that.
Chemicals added:
Yes, YES! I have done THE deed. Indeed I have become a blonde by going to a salon (that uses plant based color). I will post before and after photos soon, very soon. I will likely have to dedicate an entire blog entry to it. From the reactions I am getting from others, it works with my skin tone...which is fantastic! Some have even said that I should keep it through the summer just to have some fun. It has been 48 hours...we'll see.
Rehearsal:
The blocking for the entire (three act) show is nearly complete.
If you are not a theatre type, you should know that actors are indeed physically athletic...as well as mentally, and emotionally athletic. When regarding the physical, blocking is our overall game plan. Our coach, the director, gives us a play by play outline of our movements for every part of the game, our play. The technical definition of blocking: to plan out or work out the movements of performers in a play. I and many believe, also, that we also need to come at our characters with specific physicality. For instance, this week I am working on Blanche's center of gravity. Where does this woman come from in a physical stance? I see her feet barely touching the ground...so it's not the feet...therefore I am playing with where she is coming from, physically, as well. Is it the chin? The stomach, etc. This is what an actor asks herself. I am currently working with the chin, elbows, chest, nose, and neck...right now. I think a lot of her is all at the top. Of course, like everything in this process, I may very well change my mind.
Other Things:
I continue to constantly read through the play and am plowing through memorization. When I say plow, I mean that. Memorization for the actor is much like farming. We read the play, we look at our part, we consider the gist of what we are saying in any given section, then we get in there and plant the seeds of the words/emotions/physicality/blocking-movements into our minds and souls...one letter, one word, one feeling at a time. We then constantly revisit these seeds so that they grow in familiarity until we know them by heart and they are ripe and ready to be harvested and distributed to the audience.
I am doing this one word, one phrase, one sentence at a time. I think I will be in very good shape in about two weeks. I hope it is sooner because the sooner an actor learns their lines, the sooner they can play in the world of the character. It is very much like the imaginative world of Toby in The Velveteen Rabbit. Toby really knows how to create an environment and play within it. I like Toby. What a story.
Okay, so there it is. The week for Blanche Dubois in a nutshell. I have exactly 39 days prior to...the harvest.
I have been thinking about my most recent blog (#10) a lot as well. I have spoken to some folks (some high school English teachers, some actors, and some directors who know Tennessee Williams) on my concept...thus, I will say that I am considering looking at this monologue as possibly a polished story of Blanche's which has been performed prior to sharing it with Mitch...but....I'm still not sure. I think there is something more there.
Opinions?!
Thank you so very much for following!
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