9/14/2011

A different kind of choreography is keeping the cast of Romeo and Juliet hopping. Shakespeare placed the first of several homicides in the play within a formal party, and that requires some dancing.

Because our staging takes place in Missouri in 1861, some “period” music is called for. Here’s a video of the song being used for the dance sequence. I’ll post a video of our choreography as soon as it gets a little tighter.

9/13/2011

It’s been interesting to watch the early rehearsals of Romeo and Juliet.  Most of the cast, not including myself, is involved in intensive training in stage combat.  It is essential that the stage fights in the play be carefully choreographed.

Director Tee Quillen’s concept for the play is to create an 1861 Missouri “museum piece,” set in Verona, Missouri during the Civil War.  Thus fencing rapiers will be replaced with Bowie knives and sabres.

 

 

9/12/2011

I have more than sixty plays under my belt as a stage actor. But, it’s been about six years since my last theater performance. I’ve played six Shakespeare roles, but it’s been 15 years since my last Shakespeare play. Missouri Western State University presents Romeo and Juliet October 6-9, and I’ve been cast as Friar Laurence.

Frankly, I’m a little scared. Shakespeare’s dialogue is beautiful but daunting. The constructions are in no way modern, and for that matter, they are in no way easy.

The character creates the plots that lead to the tragedy, in an effort to bring together the Capulets and the Montagues, two families involved in a deadly blood feud. Laurence eventually succeeds in bringing the families together, but not in a happy way.

Friar Laurence wins the war after losing every battle. Critics say Laurence represents “wisdom” and “politics.” I think that’s a stretch. We shall see.

Director Tee Quillien will present the play as an 1861 “museum piece” set in Verona, Missouri. Expect a lot of memorabilia, historic reenactments, and artwork from the period.

In this space, I’ll chronicle my experience during the month-long rehearsal schedule leading up to opening night

Pictured here is the cast of Romeo and Juliet during the first read-through of the play September 2nd. Since then the cast has been busy blocking the play. That’s what actors call the stage directions that determine where the characters stand when declaiming those famous monologues.

Next time: stage combat and dance.