Looking Back on Dino

Learning outcome 1. Perhaps my greatest sign of growth was in my improv skills, which one year ago I couldn't do to save my life. Twice in the performances there was an incident that required me in particular to Improv my way through until the scene could go back on track. My directors commented that in both instances the Improv was fluid enough that the mood of the scene was not broken and no one broke character, which are great assets to have as an actor.

Learning outcome 4. Evan and I had great chemistry on stage, which was largely do to our close friendship off-stage. The mutual trust and collaboration that we had in developing our characters greatly effected our relationship with the other character, but also added an interesting friendship dynamic to the show which was only seen in one other pair of characters, Pat and Sylvia, but their characters were shyer which lead to a more interpretive friendship while ours was more explicit. Thanks to my real life friendship with Evan as well as my high comfort level in the other Actors on stage I was able to work very well with others with no actual incident. This has helped my teamwork skills tremendously since I have struggled in the past with collaboration due to my stubborn desire to be independent. With any other group I would have most likely been uncooperative due to the aforementioned reason.

STAGE - Off book, getting more in depth

For the last few weeks we have been working without our scripts. Because of this it has freed up our hands and heads allowing for better blocking and character development. Mrs. Botsford has been working with us on our characters so that we have back stories in order to make the characters more believable. This worked well since Evan and I were confused as to who our characters were on a deeper level, but with some prompting of Mrs. Botsford we created two different, but still similar, characters with different traits and mannerisms. Through these exercises I was able to see how I create a character, but also how I need a little motivation to creating them, which I will need to work on in the future.

After we all created our characters our "relationships" took on new meanings which has both tested us and strengthened us as a cast.

Stage - Character Development and Blocking

Over the past few weeks in STAGE we have been working on our character's backstories, interactions, and blocking. As of right now Evan and I have been working very well as a team, and our interactions with the other characters have been great so far. Our flirtatious yet obnoxious character development has been clashing nicely with the sassy and nosey Jackie, while making the character Pat and Sylvia cringe at what our "next move" will be. We have also been playing up the cockiness factor too, making our mutual dislike for Dino feel truly believable. With this great effort along with our mutual support for each character has made the Danny and Steve duo two of the more dynamic characters in the show. Mrs. Botsford has also been impressed by my work. I have received no "negative" notes, only constructive notes. I also have been getting notes praising how well the character is coming along and how natural the movements and blocking seem.

Stage - First Rehearsals

At STAGE we started rehearsals off with a total read through of the script. At first glance my character is little more than a joker, and while he is very flat it is a different role for me which is good. In the play I work very close with another character named Danny, who was originally played by Daniel Verbank. Unfortunately Daniel left the school and his character was replaced with Evan Griffin. Evan and I are friends which makes our chemistry on stage make our characters seem that much more believable. I also have begun to get somewhat close to the two freshman girls who play Pat and Sylvia, who are two girls that Danny and Steve flirt with throughout the play. All of the cast that my character interacts with are people who I know which makes working with them much easier. I have been noticing my strengths as an actor in this role as well as several weaknesses. Hopefully by next rehearsal I will be able to pinpoint them by next week.