DISTRICT CONTEST - CODY, BUSH, BUCHANNAN

Buchanan’s notes

Jack Cody gave us a 1

Bush a second and Buchanan a 3

Notes from Buchanan – These are from her oral critique.

1.       Actors must call each other by names to avoid confusion.

2.       All actors are playing the same age.

3.       Billy needs to look more tired.  We need to see the hard life.

4.       All actors – we need to see the wear and tear on bodies.

5.       Need to see the difference in each person.

6.       Plant feet

7.       Must see the relationships between characters – not just couples.

8.       Domestic violence scene seemed staged.

9.       Must see tension in all actors.

10.   Billy needs to feel the heat more.  She liked the first monologue, did not think he connected in the second.

11.   Nate and Rose’s scenes were too choreographed.

12.   Nate – need to see the decision to take Billy’s bag

13.   Louis shuffled feet. Need to see more of a relationship between Louis and Alice

14.   All girls need lower register in voices.

15.   Carson – Hilton – needed to punch UNION.  He needs to find different ways to show his emotion other than yelling. He needs to use different tactics with different people.  Watch being choppy.

16.   Rose – don’t anticipate violence.

17.   Paige – lower voice as welfare person.

18.   The tension in shoveling must be felt throughout the show.

19.   Nate – we need to see the tension in the body.

20.   Moment – Michelle and Carson – missed that –hilton and Kelly

21.   Alice – feel the emotion and try not to cry in the mortgage scene.

22.   Louis needs more texture in  his character

23.   Thought that Frank and Reg’s backing up seemed staged. Needed eye contact and a brotherly hug that lasts.

24.   Did not like music at the beginning –wanted to start with organic sounds.

These are from her notes:

1.       Beautiful staging – wow –such pretty stage pictures and it flowed so well from scene to scene.  Really tight ensemble from the entire company.  I can tell everyone is engaged.  Make sure all physical intentions are always clear and focused.  Some characters need age and maturity.  It’s a hard life and they read too youthful and naïve in places –especially let me see how they change at the end.  There were articulation problems.  Many characters are too youthful, not mature enough , not tired enough.  Keep working on relationships – relationships between partners and relationships within your circle of friends. The clarity of all relationships can help make this show shine. Motivation – Don’t play at scenes – live through them- you feel – don’t tell us how you feel. The audience will be more moved if you are trying not to cry instead of crying – trying not to be tired instead of being tired – trying not to be angry instead of yelling. Rising action and climax needs to be clarified.

These are from Dr. Bush – the shorter judge.

2.       Story was well told.  Loved costuming and props.  Work on accents and articulate.  Hit consonant sounds. Great visual – good use of full stage.  Keep soft moments soft and show the contrasts.

These are from Mr. Cody – the tallest judge.

Strengths –ensemble is strong.  Strong characterizations.  Pacing and tempo were great.  Lighting was amazing.  Good use of space.  Lots of energy.

Weaknesses –need help in identifying couples and establishing relationships. Sometimes the tempo is really too fast.  Slow down and wait for the audience to catch up.   The clarity of relationships need work. All the women looked alike.

From Couch -  We need more energy in Billy’s first speech – warm up to the audience.  Tell the story of a memory that you loved. SMILE and connect. Watch noodle arms – make gestures strong or do not do them.  Watch unnecessary pacing. Stand still while in dialogue. Think about the changes.

·         WOMEN – Three judges this contest said they cannot tell the women from each other.  Come up with a “leading gesture” that makes each actor an individual.

·         GESTURES – need to be big or don’t do them.  They must be strong.

·         Need levels vocally. 

·         We must see emotions on the faces and in the bodies.

·         We must see you thinking on stage.

NEW STUFF

·         HIT THE BRICKS –beat beat beat-Billy’s monologue beat beat beat Rose’s monologue beat beat beat –Marie’s monologue.

·         Kelly: Mr. Hilton.  You have to think about these men and their families. I’ve been down on the line, beat beat beat watching them march, beat beat beat hearing them cheer for the people who support them. Beat beat beat They deserve to be treated like humans, not machines.  I don’t think it will be the end of the company.

·         At the end – celebrate a long time. Make physical contact with each actor on stage except for Carson and Frank.  Michelle will walk into your scene and shake hands with Reg.  ----THIS IS THE CLIMAX. 

·         Go back to your original places from the beginning. Billy returns to his place at the edge of the stage.  He turns back and looks at his friends, says,”union. Immediately stepping on lines, we hear Louis and Marie look at each other, whisper union, Reg and Alice, then Rose and Nate. FREEZE   Reg takes his sign, smiles, looks at the audience and says union.  Lights go down slowly with Reg’s last line.

MORE NEW STUFF

• Hannah –First bar scene, be chatting with women, but let the audience know you are paying attention to Reg and Frank’s disagreement.
• For crew – When we go to Wayland and the next contests (knock on wood), ask if they have a white wall behind the back drape.  We can use that instead of a scrim.
• Billy, Reg, and Frank –after the welfare scene, Billy and Reg are talking about being kids. Frank crosses to right stage, and they gesture while kids are on the ladder.
• Rose & Hannah – Don’t get up too quickly when you are pregnant. Put one hand on the back of the chair to lift yourself up.
• Rose & Paige – Cover baby’s head.  When Rose hands Paige the baby, Paige – keep talking to the baby. Others can bend over to look at the baby.
• Billy – Be charming at the beginning, flirty. You are mischievous, unsettling, hard to reel in; the kid in class no teacher wants.  You are a rebel.  Same character at the end.
• Opening of show – WHISTLE, factory sounds, light and Billy speaks.
• Closing of show – Billy’s last line is to Frank. These whispers are stacked on each other. Rose & Nate whisper Union; Reg and Alice whisper union; Marie and Louis whisper union.  During this, we hear three staggered hits on metal with whistle.  Billy smiles at the audience, holds the sign and says Union.

·         Go back to your original places from the beginning. Billy returns to his place at the edge of the stage.  He turns back and looks at his friends, says,”union. Immediately stepping on lines, we hear Louis and Marie look at each other, whisper union, Reg and Alice, then Rose and Nate. FREEZE   Reg takes his sign, smiles, looks at the audience and says union.  Lights go down slowly with Reg’s last line. 


CANADIAN TRIVIA -Today, anyone who  wears a flannel lumberjack jacket, eats too many doughnuts and collects welfare cheques risks being labeled a hoser.