Yes - we are winding down

It really does feel like we are starting to wind down. Partly this is because the energy level has been extremely high for weeks. The other reason is that we have reached the point where most of the basic vocabulary for both Suzuki and Viewpoints is in our bodies. So, what better way to disrupt that than change venues. Tom led Viewpoints today, which was largely built around a series of gestures associated with a chair and filtered through dialogue from Pinter’s The Lover. We broke into groups of two to stage seven movements around a chair. Groups were added together to create a new dynamic. Tom’s explanation for how to use the Viewpoints material in connection to these pieces was great.

On to Suzuki in the theatre led by Steve. I’m not sure I realized how safe and comfortable the studio was until we started stomping on the stage. Far too much space to fill, but we have to fill it. The dynamic of stomping, falling, rising, and walking forward changes dramatically with such an open space. We went through all the basics 1-6 – including a series of walks single file across the stage. Kind of terrifying when you find yourself mostly alone center stage.

Ellen’s speaking class was great – as it has been each week. She has such wonderful advice and such a clear way of teaching. We reviewed what we had done in the past few weeks, and then stated in on some new stuff. A twist on basic 6 (which I cannot get through without fucking up) – where at one point we need to go backwards. The other new thing was a set of movements that used to be connected to the “Oh splendor of sunburst” speech. You start in the deep plié, speak the text while rising. Basic 3 B right, forward, left, forward, arm up behind ear straight up, basic 3 A to the right, feet together, plié saying the text down and up, left foot, forward, right foot forward, stomp right, plié with text and slow up. I should have jumped up to do it in a smaller group, but did not – which I regret. You are suppose to do it facing another performer and compete against them and draw strength from them. After that we had supplemental training – which had basically the same vibe as yesterday. I get that they are trying to have us work the Viewpoints in a different situation, but it kind of feels like we are filling time.

Rehearsal this evening went well – tech and run in the theatre. We kept tech very simple – which seemed to be the wise plan. The equipment is so dicey that I would never rely on it for anything complicated. Our run was a bit rushed and a bit of a train wreck, especially the end. We sent some time working specific moments, which improved a great deal. It will be interesting to see how the performance is received. I really do feel worn out and keeping focus for these last few days is tough. We perform tomorrow, so we may be able to relax a bit after that, but who knows.