20 Questions
Posted by James Vincent Meredith on 10/09/2007What will the other ensemble members think?
Do they really look at me as a peer?
What if I go up? (Again)
Will I do justice to this play?
Will I do justice to Steppenwolf?
Will other members of the theatergoing community feel the energy that this play is putting out?
Will people see the story, or only the casting choices?
Did I bite off more than I could chew with this role?
Does the Black Duck serve food after 10:30pm?
A lot of questions (okay, not 20), all of which I had as recently as this past Sunday night, almost halfway through the run–as well as just before the read through at the first rehearsal (save for the Black Duck question, which was Sunday). The truth is, while I feel relatively confident every night, I have anxiety before every performance, and before every scene.
(I admire those actors who just get up and do it, without a hint of nerves–damn, I admire them. I think this city’s acting community needs a Nervous Actors Anonymous group, but that’s for another entry.)
That has been especially true for this show. It’s my first show as an ensemble member with Steppenwolf, and the people whose work i’ve admired and with whose names i’ve become familiar over the years are sharing the stage with me in one of the most powerful plays ever written–i’m sharing a dressing room with Tim Hopper, for C’s sakes.
That, by itself, is reason enough for anxiety. Add to that the experience of the play itself. The story is so familiar to almost everyone, and so everyone in their mind’s eye has an image of how the play looks and feels and moves. And i’m sure that many have gone to see this production of The Crucible, only to be surprised by the set, or the costumes, or, perhaps the color of John Proctor’s…hair.
What I hope every night for this play (and for any piece of theater, for that matter) is that the story comes through, and that the audience leaves the theater excited to discuss what they saw, what they learned or what they didn’t learn, whether it was great, or it sucked, but that they are excited nonetheless, to discuss the play.
Maybe even at the Black Duck, which I think, serves food until 11.
October 15th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I saw The Crucible at the matinee on Sunday, October 14. I’ve seen the play before, but not for many years. I found it invigorating to see it again in the context of present day political issues, and my attention was also held by the personal story of John and Elizabeth Proctor. I believe I saw Rebecca Spence in her first or second performance and I thought she was excellent, very moving, especially in the reunion scene in prison. I’m sure she was helped by your focus and professionalism, James!
Unfortunately the other replacement cast members were shaky at that performance. Lines were lost and I was often taken out of the moment, especially in the long stretch where Judge Danforth dominates the action.
I loved the set (including the trees), costumes, lighting, and many of the performances. In addition to those already mentioned I admired the work of Tim Hopper and Ora Jones, in particular.