Director Tiffany Golden had us warm up in the room behind the theater stage tonight by having us actors play a few games while she was doing some work with our wardrobe mistress. I was in cotton slacks and my doctor's clogs, to be ready to portray the doc in the correct footwear. My scarves for Sister Jackie had been approved, as had Amir's (Derric's) bright green shirt and his gray one, and some mens' ties, and everyone was in a good mood. I was high on the fact that Tiffany had just given me three new spots to appear in Acts 1 and 3. (Still thinking through my costume changes...). The games had to be explained to me, as I am new to the rehearsals, this being the first one where I'd be participating, as the doc, off book, in Act 3. It's actually possible that I haven't played a physical game in over 20 years. Not having kids, not being in that realm of kinetic hyper-activity. I swim. I ride horses. I walk long walks. I dance. Good thing!
So, I went for it: first it was Alphabet, then it was The Balls (they're invisible), then it was a vocal and physical version of Tag. Not to spend too long on this, but, let me tell ya - I got into it. I was running and slinking, and bouncing, and hiding, and tagging, with people half my age, Clarence Johnson, Derric Broc, LaToya Johns, and Tatiana Monet, and making interesting noises.
All of a sudden - WHOOMPH!, BANG! SPLAT! I found myself on the floor, my right arm having thrown itself out to protect my head as I landed forehead against the concrete wall! Whooosh, indeed. One clog had slid off, for the second time this night: do not wear clogs with knee highs if you're gonna play, Doc.
Got everyone's attention. Didn't mean to. Got up, slowly. Tatiana brought me a bottle of water. I massaged by knees, which felt totally bruised. I was afraid to look at them under my slacks. I exercised my right arm during the rehearsal between characters Amir and Niki. Director Tiffany came over to inspect a small red welt over my right eyebrow. She was very considerate. Ice was discussed. I sipped my water and wondered whether or not I had a concussion. Thought about all those football players and their sports injuries. And about the aging ballet dancers I know. No way was I going to spoil all that memorization time with a concussion on this Viking head! In about 10 minutes I was up, to do my first rehearsal with Eli (Clarence). Two people standing, a quiet but stressful scene. I did my lines in a less perfect way than I had hoped, but, that adrenaline rush from the exercise, the fall, and the "brush yourself off, get up, and do it" attitude got me through.
We had a valuable rehearsal. Tiffany has a method. She breaks up the scenes, as though with an editor's punctuation, and makes sure we all think about our character's inner world as we rehearse several times, from whichever moment or line she would like to review. It's a good style.
I got a wink along the way from Clarence (I'm returning it here) and a hearty acknowledgment of my work from Derric (you know I know how good you are, D).
Tomorrow is Sister Jackie's rehearsal. Should I wear those T-straps? I will tell Tiffany that I am out of commission for a few days when it comes to contact sports.
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