I've included some individual notes at the bottom of this post. Take a look! (⌐■_■)

Acting is 

behaving truthfully 

under imaginary circumstances.

Why 

is the most important word 

in an actor's vocabulary.

These two quotes are from the famous acting teacher Sanford Meisner who's teachings I find very useful. Consider these thoughts everyone. Why are you saying this line, singing this lyric, making this cross? And the answer is never, "Because the director told me to". Figure out a reason that makes sense for your character, or as actors say - justify it. 


Notes
All - Better this week in terms of self-control during rehearsal, keep moving in that direction.
        And remember to USE SELF-CONTROL DURING BREAK TIME!!  RIGHT?

All - Memorize lines, lyrics and blocking. Make sure you've got them word-for-word!

Ensemble - Many of you were doing a GREAT job following direction; making lovely stage pictures (be aware of levels and sight lines), creating some great "business" and showing terrific reactions. KEEP IT UP! 👏

All actors entering during Arabian Nights part 1 - Very nice. Keep up the idea that you are appearing out of nowhere, mysterious. Your main goal is to draw the audience into this story. (You're story tellers, you don't exist without an audience to listen.)

Anni - Wonderful line readings!! Great emotion and intent. Make sure to enunciate and keep the energy going to the very end of every phrase. Don't "swallow" your lines. We really want to hear everything. Vizier sounds like "vizz-ear" emphasis on the second syllable.

Maya - Also, wonderful line readings. Great energy! Try talking to actors (or audience members) that are downstage of you so that you do'nt turn upstage as much.

Max - I love the energy and sense of fun that you're giving your character. And I LOVE that you've been working on your lines! Keep striving for word-for-word memorization. caravan sounds like "care-uh-van"

Malvina, Ruby & Hailey - Really good start girls! Keep in mind that during this opening, we're trying to draw the audience in and then get them excited about what's happening. And there's a lot happening! All the characters are being introduced, the set is slowly being revealed, the town's beginning to fill with people, the princess will finally choose a prince today! Be part of that excitement.  Thank all three of you for your great rehearsal etiquette, you're always ready 👍

Gards - Nice entrance! I really like how serious and important y'all are.

Jafar - Great start on your character development; so self-important and over confident and slightly slimy. Make sure to get your lines out, even when using a mic you're going to have to project. He believes that everything he has to say is of the utmost importance.

Shop owners & Shopoholics - Stay open, be interesting, be involved with "business", but don't loose track of what's going on in the scene and don't steal focus. Whew! You guys are doing great with a very difficult job!

Royal Groupies - Enter with lots of energy focused on the royals. They rarely come out in the streets where you can see them. This is a BIG DEAL.

Sultan - Good, good start. Your people love you - enjoy that love, bask in it. At the beginning of the play, what does the Sultan think is the priority in his life??

Iago - You really understand the humor of this character, so fun!! Share that with the audience, make friends with them. You get to constantly break the 4th wall and include the audience like they're your BFFs. See if you find any opportunities to share a moment with them even when it's not indicated in the script.

Jasmine - Such great enunciation and awareness of yourself in terms of what the audience will see - staying open and considering the stage picture. Good job! You seem to really be thinking about what Jasmine feels - great! Two things to keep in mind - 1. Don't whine. She's very unhappy about the situation, and I'd think angry and hurt. But she's a solution finder, not a whiner. 2. Find some moments where she's able to let go of the negative thoughts and enjoy her dad or the city (which she rarely gets to visit) or the odd princes or Iago, etc, etc. The audience needs a chance to see her as a whole person who they want to root for.

 Emma The Thief - You Rock! Following direction, but then going above and beyond, taking creative risks! And excellent rehearsal etiquette to boot! 💖 💖 💖