You are beginning to see things differently, and just generally see things at this point in the rehearsal process. Being in this play feels a little like a kaleidoscope or being a shape-shifter:  |
| Man or panther? MANIMAL |
(remember the 1980s programme ‘Manimal’, now that really is shape-shifting, imagine what kind of animal or your characters could be- get carried away. Fantasise: move across the floor like a panther: a predator a seductress a mistress.)
 |
| Your reflection appears to have come to life |
You have inhabited at least four different characters, you have been in a relationship with a married man, you have given advice to a mistress, you have been a married man. You and the ensemble have also created at least 6 different locations out of three abstract structures that are part of the set design. Look at your list of scenes, you still have twelve to make, and you overheard that all the props have been bought. Ponder to yourself as you walk around the rehearsal room, start to visualise ALL the potential uses of beige raincoats and shoes, they really do look like a row of people hanging up next to each other, 5 people queuing at a movie box office counter- one of them looks like they are flirting with another- his hand on her... Turn away and blink, all three other members of the ensemble look like they are staring at you, using their shoes as phones, they are judging you for what you did in that last scene, look at the director she also seems to be using her shoe as a phone, are they talking about you and your drunk acting in that last restaurant scene? Focus. They have all turned away now and it's time for you to go back to the office for the next scene. Two of the pieces of the set structure seem to be closing in on you, your fellow ensemble members are closing in fast, pushing them, you become claustrophobic, dizzy and in a… elevator. They are closing in a little too close it feels crowded, hot (ask the stage manager if the air conditioning is on or if she can open a window or something!) you are sweating into your expensive beige raincoat. Don’t panic, this is just a paranoid fantasy. The director seems… impressed? She is certainly applauding your performance, a slow clap though - not a good sign. You explain that you merely understand the language of the rehearsal room; you have been learning your intentions. Nothing paranoid about that…suddenly ‘did that hat just move across the room on it's own or are we doing puppetry now?’ you think to yourself: ‘Puppetry!’ hmmm not in your physical vocabulary yet, perhaps another pattern in the kaleidoscope.
