Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Dead People for Meisner

Today's Meisner class was very different; John spent the past few weeks stressing this day's importance.

As soon as class started, we set the chairs up in sort of a three-quarter circle in the middle of the room with John seated out to the side. He instructed us to begin preparing on the first Spoon River monologue of our choice. The idea was that we were all dead and were now with these strangers in a strange room. Each monologue was the most important thought that was taken to the grave with us. Once we were all preped up with emotion, he pointed to a person to start the exercise - me. Everyone in the circle stayed connected and focused on each other, listening "like an animal in the forrest." Once one person was over, someone else would respond using one of their monologues. We never stopped or hesitated. The lesson lasted an hour and a half. And talk about a roller coaster of emotions! One moment everyone was laughing and giggling at each other; the next moment, girls were crying and guys sat sunken into their seats. Everyone got something different from the exercise, and John was left very pleased.

For Voice, we received feedback on our Hamlet midterms we performed last week. Eileen gave me several excellent comments and claimed I have transformed from the quirky actor who's moved to New York into a "sexy, young leading-man"...! I think it's the hair.

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