New Perspectives
The Richard II experience thus far has been one of conflict, confusion, and growth. I came on board expecting to fill the role of Assistant Director. However, due to circumstances, I was thrown the role of Northumberland, which I was eager to try out. So now I am in the situation of being directed, while being delegated some of the directing authority. It has been difficult to draw the line between actor and assistant director. I don’t want to appear that I am the actor trying to make everyone act like I think they should, but I don’t want to abandon the role of assistant director. Fortunately, Natasha has been very open about my input. When I think something should be done, I can always run it by her. All in all, I am glad that I didn’t give up the Assistant Director role, because it is in that position that I have had the most growth.
Assistant Directing is a new experience for me. I have never been on this side of the table, I have always been onstage. However, doing this has not only helped me grow as an AD but also as an actor. I see habits in other actors that I know exist in me, and watching it as an AD gives me a different perspective in approaching these habits. The most growth has happened in my desire to help an actor improve on an idea that he/she wants to play with. I am developing an eye, or trying to, for certain impulses in an actor that I can draw from. Today was especially eye opening however. A certain actress was playing a piece of text and I was trying to figure out how to help her improve and move to a more active place. After a few suggestions we had progressed, but the REAL progress came out of her. She went up on a line and was searching for the line with her breath. I realized from that spot that the key is to connect with breath. I am eager to work more with her and the rest of the actors to find more discoveries like that. Discoveries that come from the actor while trying to work more specifically.
As an actor in the show, I am eager to try lots of new ideas. The great thing about working with Natasha in the Empty Chair summer season, is that she is really dedicating herself letting the actors find the show while she serves as the final sifter. I have never worked in a a show where so many exercises were used (successfully) to create a shape for the show. I have learned a lot about how to experiment in an effective way so there is more TRIAL than ERROR.
That is all.
Shu-nan
