Father of the Bride and character troubles…

Pooh Update:
Okay, what a week! Morning shows for Pooh are still going on, two shows a day. Tomorrow we have two
morning shows (as usual) and our evening Public performance. But enough schedule stuff…

Character troubles:
I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this “Joe” character; it’s honestly not a large part, but it helps move things along and he has a pretty clear purpose. I’m trying lots of different things right now– it feels a little like throwing spaghetti on a wall, hoping something will stick. The most successful thing so far seems to be engaging the character’s need to explore the room. I’m coming off a more “outward in” experience with Pooh, and I don’t think that’s the way to go this time. This, of course, brings to mind ideas and opinions of “method”…

Some thoughts on “method”:
I’m of the opinion that an actor should learn -everything- and from as many different teachers as possible. This keeps an actor open and flexible. Actors should always be learning and challenging thier own concepts of “how it’s done.” Then…? I think an actor kind has to of forget everything. Okay, everything that doesn’t actually produce results. In the end, a process just isn’t worth it if it can’t produce real results within the pressure and time constraints of a rehearsal/performance. I believe in “lab time” to getter better at things and taking time to invest different techniques, but if they aren’t producing any work in rehearsal the don’t be afriad to drop it for what does work! You can always go back and try other techniques you may have forgotten about as you get older. Use what works (until it doesn’t– then be ready to try something new!). Just my two cents.

And Finally:
So, therein lies my challenge; my system is a little broken, so it’s time to dust off some ideas I haven’t tried for a while. Maybe go back to my favorite idea… keeping it simple.

-Jef

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Tags: actor, comedy, Father of the Bride, Jef Holbrook, springer opera house, Stage

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