February 26, 2014

Everyone	We will do a speed through Sunday. Rehearsal is at 1 on Sunday because we leave on Monday for Snyder. Thursday night’s rehearsal is at 6:30 as usual. DON”T DRAG CHAIRS! See who you are and what is your secret. Patients’ business is too much doing – not enough who you are. Choreograph with chairs or benches. Dance with loose hands,not stiff. Don’t touch the curtains. QUIET BACKSTAGE Who are you and where did you come from? Actors’ intent on entrances was not clear. Do not just go sit down.  DO the same thing you have done every day. Find an interesting way to get on stage.  Be unique. Actors need to be honest – not “acting.” To the patients and medical workers, this is another day like any other day. Cut –This place is a madhouse. I declare ...silence. Be upset if things change from ordinary. Do NOT CHEW pills – swallow them. Do not push the chaos too soon.  Patients are curious about Mac.  He is dressed differently – has the possibility of being anyone new and different. Be more comfortable with  him after the first therapy scene. When Mac begins talking about pecking chickens – all patients who have been taunting Billy and Harding are embarrassed. Everyone must have secrets. That’s how these meetings usually go?  FIRST POSSIBILITY THAT LIFE COULD CHANGE IN THE WARD. Clock dance – in ward room. Red costume scene – this should not happen to everyone at the same time. Can anyone put his color on in the first scene? Keep table until first therapy scene – then take it out. MISCHIEFS – according to Mr. Lindsey 1.       Box – patients are taking baby steps toward freedom. 2.       Run, you mother loving turkey – rebellion – must hear redhot line 3.       TV – chaos, then realize the gravity of Mac’s situation. Patients council meeting – how has everyone changed? Ratched and Spivey move among patients. 1st fight -  Patients must watch the electroshock. Use chairs as bars. Return from shock – Mac comes in USL in a diagonal toward patients. Keep the rain in party scene and after. Lou wants to play it SOFTLY during dance through end. Going away party –SHUSH each other.  Bring it DSC.  Only one boy couple dance.  Everyone else drinks. Party flattened out – tell the story Not everyone dances when music comes on – some are reluctant – some ready for fun. Quiet after Billy’s exit. “He cut his throat.”  Who is responsible?  We should see everyone ask him/herself who is at fault. Attack of nurse was great. Pantomime guys waiting  for news of Mac. All focus should be on Mac at end.  Boys are in front of the gurney. Quiet after – that’s how these meetings usually go? Before machine – get excited slowly, look around. Baseball scene is it for Mac against Ratched. Don’t party too soon. Try to stay quiet during the party. Following Mac’s lobotomy, patients need to look for Mac. We will think about the end.
Candy	Don’t sit with the guys – grin uncomfortably at them – awkward.
Harding	Walk more.  Figure things out.  Put forefinger and thumb on chin as you ruminate.
Mac	You were shouting too much today – more carefree – funny – figure out how to “fleece” the patients.  We must see every decision and strategy.. How do you affect change? Last night, you were more familiar with the guys – there was more of a relationship. How do you win them over? React to patients.  Let them react to you.  Be personal to you. You need secrets.  Size up the place.  Manipulate these people and let us see it.
Ratched	First line was too soft. Louder if you have to speak over music. Stand up straight. Do not lean on desk. Walk with space between feet. Hands in a different position at the beginning. Be stiffer with Billy You were much stronger today. I see. BEAT move. Lower pitch. Show change as Mac gets to you. Cut – on page 14 cut either –Do any of you feel, perhaps, that mr. McMurphy is imposing his personal desires on you?  OR I’ve been thinking you might be happier if he were moved to another ward. On page 18, Cut either – Boys,…..yesterday OR I realize it is difficult to enforce discipline in these surroundings.
Music	Too loud when Ratched was speaking about a new admission.
Spivey	Much better
Orderlies	Believable.
Bromden	Speak to your dad up in the light booth. Hook the audience.  Be focused. Be part of the day room scene. Play some of the monologues DCS.
Ruckly	Not in a strait jacket in the beginning.   When he leans against whatever he is propped against, he yells “Whack em all!”  He looks at a picture all the time when he has a little freedom
Billy	Take your “hysteria” step by step – bigger each time. Look up innocently at people. Who is your outburst for and why? Good job on honesty in –everyone laughing at you. Billy, the party is the first REAL moment in your life. You are slow.
Mac and Bromden	Let the chief open up to you and he moves toward Mac. Don’t sit – Lou said it was too comfortable. First gum scene – Mac lean against a pylon and watch Bromden pick gum underneath furniture. One flew east – step on lines. He approaches Mac.

 

February 24 News and Critiques

February 24, 2014

Everyone	41.04 – I know you will get it Wednesday.  We will do a speed through.  Be in my room by 7AM on Wednesday.  We go on 8:15-8:30.     We are shifting some parts around.  At the beginning of the season, I never know if actors will grow to fit their parts.  It is not a reflection on students’ talent; sometimes the play takes form in a different way than I had envisioned in the beginning.   ·         We will have public performances on March 9 and March 23 at 3PM. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students and children. We will have IMMEDIATE family passes for one Sunday of your choice.  These performances are fundraisers, so please tell friends and relatives. ·         This Wednesday, February 26, we will perform around 8:20-8:30.  Parents are welcome to attend. Students need to be in my room about 7AM. ·         On Monday, March 3, we will travel to Snyder.  We will probably leave around 6:30 AM – I will let you know for certain later this week. Students need to provide money for their own lunch. We will probably eat at the Shack.  http://www.urbanspoon.com/cities/301-texas/restaurants/1278063-shack/menu  The menu is available on this site.  Most of the entrees are $8 including hamburgers and chicken fried steak.  Drinks are extra. I wish we could provide the meal, but we cannot. We will return by the time school is out. ·         Spring break – we will rehearse the 21, 22rd (4-6 hour rehearsals)  and have  public performance on the 23rd.  I like to rehearse early during the day, but it will depend on baseball practices. Some of the seniors want to have a lock-in, but we will discuss this further.   CRITIQUES The party scene is still not working.  We will work on it tomorrow. Step on lines Go back to the insults to Harding, then look shamefaced when MC tells the chicken story Move chairs off after second dance in character Some are not doing slomo in Jared’s/Nolan’s fight. Some are just freezing..  Freeze at the same time. Don’t stomp at the beginning. Patients are not used to McM at the beginning.   Don’t warm up to him until he acts up in the first meeting. BET CIGARETTES! Second entrance should be smoother and faster.  Don’t waste too much time visiting. Still not happy with the party scene. Don’t cross in front of Savannah and Billy when they are saying their lines.
Ratched	When the dr comes in late with Mc – give him a bad look when he is in your left side. Vary pacing of lines – SLOWER – How could I not….. Get in McM’s face at the end. Provoke Jared at end. Loved the walking around.
Savannah	Good reaction to designing tramp.
Tucker	Your first lines were better the second time. Do not look so young when you come in with McM. Be happy, but reserved. Step on Sydney’s lines. Only look in the log book when you are talking about feigning….  The observations like not warranted except – are facts you should know by heart.
Tucker and Brodie	As a chronic, don’t put your arms around Brodie. Let Brodie slip his head in your arms.
Billy	Answer Ratched’s questions faster.
Austin	Great job – don’t know where, but during first patients meeting.
Aides	Meaner to Bromden at the beginning Loved your being mean to Chief after gum scene – it foreshadowed Nolan’s fight. Talk to each other between and during scenes.  We need to get the feeling that Williams is trying to keep Warren on the straight and narrow.
Graham	Good job being the peace keeper.
Scanlon	Loved you playing with the string. When someone notices it, slam it into the box.
McM	Come in quicker in the gum scene. Whisper to Candy again in dance scene to take Billy out.
Cheswick, Brodie, Scanlon	Step on lines at the end.  I loved the way Scanlon got in McM’s face the first time.

February 23

February 23, 2014

Everyone	It was a good rehearsal.  We are within 3 minutes of being where we want to be. Wednesday will be an important clinic for us. Quiet backstage React to the door slam Stay in character Don’t drag props and set Levels Come in on time Step on lines Not enough energy Straight lines Don't all stand the same way Quiet in light booth Don’t stomp feet Practice second dance Watch words that are not in the script Puppet spacing is wrong Do not stand in a straight line. Hit a level if the person next to you is doing the same thing. Do not wait on lines. Who’s this – line should be sooner BET WITH CIGARETTES !st group therapy meeting should be closer to Ratched. Listen to each other. If someone is talking – they are the focus of the scene. When Ratched says – Mr. Harding stated. … there should be a reaction of relief that it wasn’t you. Focus on who is talking Watch being in the same physical form – one point everyone’s head was down after TV scene. DO NOT WALK BEHIND THE SCRIM Don’t block Billy’s exit with Candy Do the Ratched scene the way we used to do it.
Paige	focus on what’s going on make sure we can’t see your arm during second dance work on facial during shocking scene/DICTION           Good facial expressions
Jared and Graham	Cut the Maxwell Jones Freud lines
Sydney	louder/talk over the music/louder/walk with attitude/happy feet/ don’t step back /slow down/louder/don’t move when supposed to be frozen/diction/come out sooner/walk out like you are hurt IF you don’t mind should be earlier. Enter LS during scene with bedtime line.
Music	Make sure music is soft when someone is talking Be prepared to fade music when Ty is starting to talk Sound effects are off. (geese) Electrode music was late
Lights	Go back to the way we used to do Ratched appearing.
Lights and Music	Lights and music must fade
Tucker	Too much swaying stand like a doctor/don't look awkward You have no previous history – look in folder “feigning…. “ is a quote so look at the folder Watch swaying You were late on an entrance
Austin and Nolan-	don’t say things that are not in the script/stay behind curtains when not on stage
Martini	Great characterization. Watch blocking Mac on here comes the champs.
Hayden	stay frozen Don’t pause before your lines. You can’t use words not in the script – running off – I hate her
Graham	good on focusing on what's going on I wanted a womanly woman -  Think about this line.  You wanted a woman with a figure to prove that a “sensitive” man could dispel thoughts of others that he was too feminine.
Jared	Slow down watch diction React when Ratched is describing you at the beginning. Did you say, “Cheese it.”?
Cody	Diction Good leg shake Great news line Cheat to the audience when you say “bringing up a vote” line Good shaking the box Where they got him – faster.
Graham	Wipe your clothes any time anyone touches you.
Cheswick	You forgot the fast walk
Brodie	Notice and reach for Paige any time she is in your proximity. Wink at her. Do the shuffle feet dance when you are excited.
Kayla	Sydney’s dress was uneven when she went out with both on.
Brooke	When Bromden is speaking – just a blue light on the window – I think I programmed it wrong.
Sydney and Jared	Breaking everyone of them – move upstage of Ty
Austin	Wait until “I bet $10.” To go tell the nurse – I told you wrong. Also, on why using red when Ratched’s slip is red.  She has tried all of her life not to be human – the red slip shows her humanity.
Aides	Stay busy Keep holding Mac until he is past the curtain.
Nolan	Good reaction to the television – you were smiling – do not let Ratched catch you.
To Do	Fix gurney fix big box Lock for cabinet Paint underside of desk Paint capitals Clean windows Fix record player White pants Make cue 10 shorter Tone down the geese Food company for gloves Lights burned out Put thunder in crazy Make sure sign(clip bored) is on the other side of gurney Fix the last song Thunder Puppet spacing is wrong Cut the music shorter on You jumped. Cut Candy music Rain no thunder

Viewing the Video February 16th

I was looking at the calendar.  We need to find another day or time to rehearse.  There are many golf and baseball tournaments on our rehearsal nights.  Very few things are on Wednesdays if we want to rehearse after school or after church. It is a great play, but not good enough for contest yet.
Please look over cut lines. These are on a few posts back.  Keep hitting older posts down at the bottom to find the post.

February 19, 2014 – Discussion on video

Everyone	1.       PEOPLE NOISES REACT STEP ON LINES 2.       STAY IN CHARACTER WITH EXITS 3.       Remember that first Group therapy, You are closer to Ratched, but farther apart from each other. Each ensuing meeting – farther from Ratched and closer together. 4.       Chicken scene – step on lines.  Ratched leaves with “..close it until discipline has improved.”  Speak to Williams as you exit. He watches the scene,then gets Ratched with “getcha money down.” She comes in with Williams behind her. 5.       With the second meeting, Warren takes the card table and exits with it. 6.       Remove chairs in front of card table in Betting chicken scene. 7.       Move Mac and Hardings lines to after Billy runs out. 8.       Spacing is not good in first dance or the second. 9.       Jake, the director from Brownfield, said that Billy was always in the scene – others drifted in and out.  To make this a great ensemble, everyone must be in the scenes, in character – all the time. 10.   Billy is outacting everyone during the box scene – cheering. 11.   There should be more tension before the attack on Ratched – also before the other fight with Warren. 12.   More reaction to “tramp” 13.   Jake said – I wanted to hurt when Billy died, but there was not enough time to do it. 14.   If you have a larger part or are one of the men – find a line or lines to cut.
Aides	Enter earlier at the beginning. On Sunday, the walking through with flashlight seemed rehearsed.
Bromden	Step on each piece of music
Spivey	Be more sure of yourself on stage.  Have confidence.
Scanlon	Look out there . Step on what choice we got (Cheswick) Look under your chair for ?
Mac	More like you don’t understand what defunct means, but you are amused by the sound of the word.
Warren	Put Ratched’s desk DSL before bell rings. Take card table out after Candy scene.
Williams	Move card table before the bell rings for Group therapy.  It will be funny if you do it while Mac is still dealing cards. Tell Ratched about the box.
Martini	Good moving chair
Mac	Sure thing – crazy face
Savannah	Stop at the pylons, walk DSC, take out compact and mirror.  You see the boys dying in the compact, see your decision to move US of the table. Sit and wait for MCMURPHY Flirt with Warren
Music	Music was too loud during  the baseball scene – announcer’s commentary MUSIC MUST FADE IN AND OUT – This has been noticed several time, so make sure to do it.
Ratched	Be Bigger with puppets BE cold, but conniving.  Smile when you get your way, chuckle (so only the audience hears or sees it.  We need to hate you. Take the time to react to what is being said or what is happening. Your voice must carry and be louder – commanding. Your voice needs to match the boys when you are reprimanding them.   Break the party up with your presence.
Billy	Jake, the director from Brownfied, said you were brilliant. You were always in the scene