November 28, 2014
Recently the American International School of Lusaka put on a performance called the Seussical. I was casted as a 'Who' from Whoville. When we tried out, we didn't know at all which parts we were going to get, so we were basically auditioning for any role in the play. I knew I wasn't going to get a lead role since my singing capabilities are not on par, to say the least. I had never been in a play or musical before, but I had some acting experiences in the past, so I knew I wanted to be on stage rather than backstage. To be quite honest, I like getting praise and approval for what I've done, and people backstage are much more humble than I. I enjoy being onstage for as much time as I can. I learned many new things over the course of this production from both others and myself. I learned about the technical aspect of theatre, about the commitment and rehearsal time you have to put in, and I learned how to be much more confident when I walk on stage whether I am holding up a fish or I'm singing a solo.
The rehearsal process was very fun and rewarding. I'm glad I had my friends with me at every rehearsal as well! We had vocal and physical warm-ups every time, which helped a lot, even though we couldn't directly feel it. As I said earlier, this play taught me a lot about commitment, because I had never been in a group of people as committed as the ones in the Seussical. I was surprised by the maturity and discipline of some of the younger kids, and I tried my best to make a good impression on them, so that they could look up on the older kids, like myself. In my opinion, I usually had a very good attitude that I hoped could bring up the spirits of people in the theatre. It was especially important to be cheery on the last few rehearsals before the performance, because that's when everybody's the most stressed, and they need a little humor. There are many things I wish I could have done better in the rehearsal process. I definitely know next time that I need to inform the director ahead of time if I'm going to miss a practice, so that they can plan accordingly to an absence. I do also wish I had been more serious with the show, although I was having fun, I think my fellow actors could have benefitted more from my help or support, rather than my jokes. But when it came down to it, I could be serious if I needed to be. There is where I found my balance during this rehearsal process.
The week leading up to the performance was, yes, quite stressful, but it also showed us the reality of a proper production. There is no time for silliness or people not paying attention, because if you don't get it right in rehearsal, you will not get it right on stage. I'm definitely more of a mellow person and I knew all of my lines, so I wasn't very stressed, but I could see others were. By the end of the show, some of the younger children really got on my nerves, but it wasn't that hard to handle my anger. Before opening night, Johanna and I both went to a friends house and ate as much food as possible without having to throw up on stage and then we came to get our makeup and costumes ready. The makeup part of the rehearsal was probably the most fun part. We all got to look as tacky as possible, and still be socially accepted for it. Some of the mothers did an amazing job, so props to them! I think we could have planned and met up with the mothers before the actual performance, because it caused some confusion about what the makeup was meant to look like. I think the makeup for the bird-girls was absolutely fabulous though! In this performance, I didn't learn any rituals, at least none that I can think of. But I did learn many things about the actors and stage crew around me, and about theatre itself. Many people see theatre as very difficult and boring, but with this production of the Seussical, I think it brought more life to the PAC than we've seen in a long time.
Overall, I think it was an amazing experience to be able to work with such great people and produce a show that was off the wall! I got so many compliments to the show, and I think we pulled it off wonderfully. I can't wait to do it again next year!
Recently the American International School of Lusaka put on a performance called the Seussical. I was casted as a 'Who' from Whoville. When we tried out, we didn't know at all which parts we were going to get, so we were basically auditioning for any role in the play. I knew I wasn't going to get a lead role since my singing capabilities are not on par, to say the least. I had never been in a play or musical before, but I had some acting experiences in the past, so I knew I wanted to be on stage rather than backstage. To be quite honest, I like getting praise and approval for what I've done, and people backstage are much more humble than I. I enjoy being onstage for as much time as I can. I learned many new things over the course of this production from both others and myself. I learned about the technical aspect of theatre, about the commitment and rehearsal time you have to put in, and I learned how to be much more confident when I walk on stage whether I am holding up a fish or I'm singing a solo.
The rehearsal process was very fun and rewarding. I'm glad I had my friends with me at every rehearsal as well! We had vocal and physical warm-ups every time, which helped a lot, even though we couldn't directly feel it. As I said earlier, this play taught me a lot about commitment, because I had never been in a group of people as committed as the ones in the Seussical. I was surprised by the maturity and discipline of some of the younger kids, and I tried my best to make a good impression on them, so that they could look up on the older kids, like myself. In my opinion, I usually had a very good attitude that I hoped could bring up the spirits of people in the theatre. It was especially important to be cheery on the last few rehearsals before the performance, because that's when everybody's the most stressed, and they need a little humor. There are many things I wish I could have done better in the rehearsal process. I definitely know next time that I need to inform the director ahead of time if I'm going to miss a practice, so that they can plan accordingly to an absence. I do also wish I had been more serious with the show, although I was having fun, I think my fellow actors could have benefitted more from my help or support, rather than my jokes. But when it came down to it, I could be serious if I needed to be. There is where I found my balance during this rehearsal process.
The week leading up to the performance was, yes, quite stressful, but it also showed us the reality of a proper production. There is no time for silliness or people not paying attention, because if you don't get it right in rehearsal, you will not get it right on stage. I'm definitely more of a mellow person and I knew all of my lines, so I wasn't very stressed, but I could see others were. By the end of the show, some of the younger children really got on my nerves, but it wasn't that hard to handle my anger. Before opening night, Johanna and I both went to a friends house and ate as much food as possible without having to throw up on stage and then we came to get our makeup and costumes ready. The makeup part of the rehearsal was probably the most fun part. We all got to look as tacky as possible, and still be socially accepted for it. Some of the mothers did an amazing job, so props to them! I think we could have planned and met up with the mothers before the actual performance, because it caused some confusion about what the makeup was meant to look like. I think the makeup for the bird-girls was absolutely fabulous though! In this performance, I didn't learn any rituals, at least none that I can think of. But I did learn many things about the actors and stage crew around me, and about theatre itself. Many people see theatre as very difficult and boring, but with this production of the Seussical, I think it brought more life to the PAC than we've seen in a long time.
Overall, I think it was an amazing experience to be able to work with such great people and produce a show that was off the wall! I got so many compliments to the show, and I think we pulled it off wonderfully. I can't wait to do it again next year!