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Monday, August 03, 2009

A Visit to Freedom


I drove up to Freedom, Wisconsin this weekend at the invitation of Lindsay Cummings, co-founder and President of FACT Players of the Freedom Area Community Theater.
What was unique about this trip is that I was invited to the rehearsals not the actual production of the play "Murder Me Always". Which was a nice change of pace.
I was able watch the show in progress and as well as offer the "story" behind the script - why and how I wrote the play - who the characters may or may not have been based on. You know, the information that actors hardly ever get to learn.
I also had the opportunity to lead the actors through a few "improvisational" games which helps "bond" the group and also prepares them for the "improv" portion of the play - in which the audience is invited to ask the characters questions.
Hopefully, it was good experience for the actors and crew and perhaps I imparted a little insight. I tried not to be too terribly boring. (I promise)
I know it was a good experience for me as I was able to see my play come to life and hear how the lines I wrote were interpreted by actors. For a playwright, it's nice to be able to learn how your work translates: if you have written dialogue that is clear enough and/or scene descriptions that are concise enough for anyone to pick up and understand your intention. No to mention actually 'get' your jokes and references.
I can say that the FACT Players have done an outstanding job of picking up my work, understanding my intention, (and jokes) and running with it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an excellent learning experience for the community theater group! Best of luck to all involved.

Anonymous said...

You have left your mark in Freedom.