Rapunzel has left the tower (gleamnglow) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-11-13 18:13:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !partner thread, marguerite blakeney, rapunzel |
Who: Marguerite and Rapunzel
What: First meetings and all
When: Recently
Where: Local theatre
Warnings: Low
Status: Partner Thread | Complete
No rest for the weary, that was apparently Marguerite’s life at the moment. Though that undoubtedly had to do with the fact that she had gone straight into rehearsals after returning from Paris. All things considered, she was thankful that not only was the cast mostly former cast members from other shows so they knew her, but they were also used to the fact that Equity members tended to start rehearsals closer to opening and so her quote unquote late start in rehearsing didn’t throw anyone.
Despite the fact that she was exhausted as she’d been going nonstop since landing at LAX, Marguerite didn’t complain, nor did she mind. Performing was in her blood, which meant that rehearsals were part of it and she would just power through. That and she was just excited for the fact that the show was a bit different, more immersive with the way the stage and seating was set up so that there wasn’t the clear stage separated from the audience.
Finishing up the (very intense) blocking for the end of the first act, Marguerite headed to one of the cabaret tables to wait until she was needed again.
Maybe Rapunzel had a lot on her plate, but she just really enjoyed being busy. Helping out with painting and set design at the local theater sounded like a lot of fun. She had been approached while at school by someone who had seen some of her work around and thought she would be a good fit to help out with designing the background and painting it. It wasn’t her first time in the tech aspect of theater, since she had occasionally helped in high school, but she had never done it on a scale like this before.
Things seemed more intense and very rigid because they had a strict deadline to get things finished by. She came in today in her usual painting clothes of things she wanted to throw away, but hadn’t yet, and made sure her hair was tightly done up as best as it could be. She settled into a rhythm of working and then noticed when Marguerite came to the back and she couldn’t help but let out a laugh, “Good job, I could feel the intensity from over here.”
There were so many ways that theatre could be draining. Intense scenes was one of those ways, so while the intensity of the seduction, going from ‘she loves Andrey with all her heart’ to ‘I will love you Anatole, I’ll do anything for you’ as a 19 year old and all the intense feelings that came from that age? Marguerite was definitely emotionally exhausted even just in rehearsal mode. But it was what she lived for.
Hearing someone laugh and comment on the intensity, Marguerite blinked and then smiled to the younger woman.
“Well that’s certainly a relief!”
Because really, it was a good feeling to have someone compliment her on the intensity, especially as it was rehearsal, without the costume and live music, the setting. Because there was always so much more once all of that was added. So for it to be noticeable even now in the blocking process?
And another thing she loved about live theatre? All the people you got to meet and talk with, onstage and offstage. “You’re working on sets, yes?” Because the ingenuity of the set design and backdrops for the immersion theatre? It was “It’s brilliant.”
Rapunzel had to admit that she didn’t think skills needed to be a convincing actor. The intensity of that scene was coming off in waves and Rapunzel had even stopped her painting briefly just to watch. It was amazing how easily some people could slip into someone else’s skin and convince you that what you’re watching is happening in real time. And then the ability to just walk away from it and be yourself again? It was fascinating.
“Don’t worry, I think you guys are going to rock it when it’s showtime. If these rehearsals are anything to go off of,” Rapunzel complimented with a smile, “And yeah, helping out with some of the painting. So far the vision for the set has turned out to be really cool. And it works well for my resume and gives me a break from school work.” That was the most important part. This was something to help save her sanity since finals were coming up sooner rather than later.
It could definitely be hard to switch from the role back to herself, and Marguerite did know actors who would stay in character until the end of rehearsal. It really did depend on the person. For Marguerite though, she never wanted to feel like she would lose herself. And the roles themselves could be exhausting depending. And as someone who was indeed super passionate for what she did both on stage and in volunteer work and wanting to help people, it was better to be able to separate.
“That’s very kind, thank you. I think you’re right though, the cast is brilliant even with me coming in so late.” Yes it was part of the routine, and Equity actors always coming in later, but it could still be seen as a disruption for people new to the process.
“Even better for you then! Resume building is important. But I do love the vision that’s been come up with for the set.”
“That’s super important to have a good cast. If you guys can’t get the chemistry going then you’re doomed to not do well. It’s gotta be hard though because I’m sure some people have bigger egos and bringing everyone together can be difficult. Does everyone get along?” that was something that always made Rapunzel wonder. She had heard stories of how difficult some people could be to interact with, so it had to make it a bit harder to act. Putting on the fake persona of someone else was a foreign concept.
“And I definitely agree with the vision for the set being cool. It was really neat to see what’s going on. I’m not involved in the actual building, just painting, but it’s come so far so quickly,” Rapunzel enjoyed coming in every time and seeing new things for the set.
“I find it differs from cast to cast. Since we are a regional theatre, it’s not uncommon for actors who are members of the Equity union like me to come in later, as well as for most people to know one another. Though yes, there are definitely some who have big egos and don’t collaborate as well. I’ve been lucky in not dealing with that much.” Even in Paris when she was more of an unknown as she had her dual citizenship. Or it was just Marguerite in general as she had a tendency to get along with most people.
Mostly. She was more used to the isolated feeling in the dreams, whereas here she had never truly found herself in that sort of situation.
“That’s something I’ve always loved about the theatre, how things come together. The vision and just everyone with their different skill sets coming together to create something magical for others to enjoy.”
Working on this set was definitely a learning experience for Rapunzel because she was learning more than just about the technical side of the theater but also about the acting. Watching rehearsals was so interesting because she could clearly see the improvements they made each time they met and it just got better and better. It would be a lot of fun for her to sit out in the audience and see the show with all the technical elements incorporated.
“I’m so excited to see how it looks in the end,” Rapunzel admitted, “I don’t think I’ll be around for tech rehearsals since I’m not part of the actual crew, so I’ll get to experience it when the shows actually start. I’m sure you all will definitely make it magical for the audience.” It was going to be something and she would most likely drag a few of her friends along with her because she was proud to point out that she had been a part of something like this.
“You never know.” Given the fact that it seemed everyone tended to be around for tech in some way or another. Usually if something went wrong and something needed to be fixed. But no, by tech it usually was the stage hands and those running the boards, heads of specific areas, stage manager and director and those types. “But I do hope we live up to your expectations.”
Not that Marguerite even doubted it. She had faith in both cast and crew. But it was still nice to have someone so excited for what was still coming together.
And speaking of coming together, there was her name being called.
“Well that’s my cue. It was nice speaking with you.” Getting up, the redhead stretched some before heading to the main stage to start another round of blocking.