It's starting to feel real

Sunday evening we all got together to share the 'Passing Strange' experience at Charles and Nikki's place. Nikki is such a great host and did a fantastic job of making us feel welcome and comfy and full :) Thanks Nikki!! A few of us hadn't seen the film in it's entirety and I know it helped connect scenes with music and lyrics. It was so cool watching the movie with everyone humming along. To feel the emotion stir up in the room. I was taking notes whenever I wasn't completely entranced. The one thing that lives throughout this entire show is ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY!!! Larger than life yet so believable. Every single person is so invested and that much more committed to the story they are living. I admire that. I want to spark that same energy within me. However, I don't think I'm going to watch the film anymore. I don't want to begin to sculpt my character around the way Rebecca Naomi Jones sculpted hers. I don't want to have the exact same inflections or accents or emotional responses. I don't want to copy and paste, I want to live the story through MY eyes. It's easy to imitate, it's harder to craft. Well, I made up my mind a long time ago....I'm a craftsman!! I've taken what I need from the film and now I'm ready to start making it my own.

I'm still holding back and I've gotta knock it off because time, as always, is not on my side. We only have weeks to get this together. The original cast had years of performing together by the time the film was produced. I am extremely intimidated, but more than that I'm capable!! I have been truly moved by this show and so I cannot let myself down and in turn let you down. Looks like it's about that time. Time to break it down to a science. I play an abundance of characters in various settings. I have to get to know them all, intimately. Characters have to be discovered, developed, cultivated. I couldn't play any part without knowing the person I'm playing. This is one of my favorite parts of the process. I love that this art form gives you the freedom to work your imagination. I get the basic structure of the character and then it's up to me how far I develop them. Well, I like to get all up in their business!! I like to ask questions that may not seem like they matter but that paint the picture, for me, as to who they are. Of course you want to ask the obvious questions...what's your name?, what's your age?, what relationships do you share? I like to ask even more questions like...What's your sign?, What's your favorite color?, Who's your favorite band? LOL I love it!! I want to be comfortable with the character I'm portraying so I'll ask some of the silliest questions ever! It helps me relax and not be so serious about it all. Acting is lot less fantasy than it is hard work!


Monday nights full read through/sing through was interesting. Nothing crashed and burned. We got through it. It is needless to say it will get smoother as time goes by. When I close my eyes and just groove to the music, I feel the emphasis is on the 1 and the 3. It's still very much so rock and roll but with more swagger. 'Rent' I felt was very 2 and 4 heavy. Rock and roll as well but that emphasis gives a different feel. It may just be me but if you listen you'll agree. I can't wait to drop my script and just groove. Which reminds me, it's time for the 'Passing Strange' play list. My 'Two Gents' play list was easy enough...I had lots of 70's music. But this one will be a bit challenging since it's all over the place style wise. I dig it though and the play list is a vital part of the process. I don't want to drown in the recording but I want to surround myself with the style and inspiration. I think I'm gonna make a collage as well, when I was googled Fillmore West, there were some bad-ass posters I'd love to see on a daily basis! I'm going for the opposite of out of sight out of mind.....LIVE IT. BREATH IT.


Blocking starts Tuesday. Yeeeeeaaaaahhh Miller-ography!! Excited! Out of the chairs and onto the floor. This is where it becomes a full body experience. There must be a clear purpose behind every word and every action. It's time to make way for the real. I'm extremely anxious to see what Scott has in store. I imagine the way I think some things will look. I wonder if any of my thoughts and ideas will match up...hmmmm...We shall see. While watching the film I noticed a lot of it was loosely choreographed. We don't have a choreographer. This will be interesting. I wonder how much freedom we will have. There is a great deal of pantomime, exaggerated movements, melting into place. I love it all. What I loved most while watching the film is that everyone is so comfortable with each other. I think that is key! This is a small cast with a very minimal set. It will be entirely up to us to deliver! No hiding behind lavish costumes and outrageous props and set. RAW. BLANK. The music and lyrics already do a wonderful job painting the picture. As a performer I want to paint an honest picture most of all, I don't care how pretty it's perceived to be. I want you to be moved the way I was moved when I saw this. It's time to put in WORK!