Performance Log #1

After meeting with my partner to go over the scene and our characters, I believe that we came to an understanding where we can now go more in depth of the blocking and characterization. My partner and I edited the lines of the first balcony scene between the two protagonists. After reading through the first edit aloud, we decided to cut it down and put certain lines in areas where they make more sense to both the character's motives and the audience's understanding. When we first looked at the lines, it seemed very daunting to memorize everything. I decided to cut the scene in four parts, so we could dissect each moment and understand how the character's should be feeling as well as what they should be doing. It was much easier to discuss each line and memorize them when they were cut up in sections for us to focus on.

I have many ideas for blocking the scene. My partner and I decided that we should portray the balcony scene in a modern time period, with simplistic costumes and mannerisms. One of my ideas for blocking the scene is to have Juliet downstage left facing forward, and Romeo upstage right facing Juliet. I want to highlight the idea of how far apart the two families are, as well as how intimate the moment is for the two romantics. This could be accomplished by having the characters move closer and further apart as Romeo and Juliet have conversation about family and other obstacles they are facing to be together. We have not tried the whole scene out with the blocking, but I believe as we get more into the scene, we will be able to tweak and perfect where Romeo and Juliet will be placed and how they will move and react.

As I have been reading through lines with my partner, I have been able to get more accustomed to how they react to certain lines, and how we work together as actors. After reading through the same lines a few times, I noticed that as my partner gets more comfortable and memorized, he is able to automatically add in his natural emotions to each line. He started to take pauses at certain places, and say his lines in a more precise and passionate way. Once my partner achieves that place of comfort with the lines, I am able to change how I react to mine as well. I can speak based on both of our manners, and change my emotional response based on how we are both interpreting each moment.

As we progress into more depth of blocking the scene, I believe that it will be easier to be efficient during practice, and have a better view of how the the scene will turn out overall. As we start to finish blocking the beginning, we will be able to change and come up with new ideas, as well as develop our presentation of the characters.

(This is information based on all of tuesday's class and the classes before it)