Typically, when I’m directing a play, we will meet to do (hopefully) the whole play once a week. Then in the last month before the show, we ramp up the number of hours significantly and we’ll be ready.

This time was strange. In the past four weeks, there are certain scenes we haven’t practiced at all. At all! That’s not good!

What is the issue? Well, just the crazy school life we all live. We had Spring Break which took out a week. We had a photoshoot that took out another week. The other week we didn’t get through the whole thing. So today, I found my cast in the position of doing some scenes for the first time in 4 weeks! YIKES!

How’d we do? Not bad, considering. Lines are still memorized, except for an occasional needed prompt. The blocking needed work, but overall I’m pleased with the progress we had during out time of lack of progress.

Everything changes this Saturday as we’ll be having our first of three, all day Saturday practices leading up to the show.

The first Saturday must accomplish the following:

• Do the complete script, front to back, twice.
• Map out final blocking.
• Map out lighting map.
• Final list of props needed.
• Work and re-work the final scene which is challenging because everyone’s on stage and a lot is going on. So far, it’s been terrible. But we’ll get there.

If we can accomplish all of this on Saturday, we’ll  be in good shape.

Have I told you how excited I am about this script? “The Secrets of the Magic Pool.”

Three shows, May 13-14 @ the Penang Performing Arts Center.

Can’t wait!