History Boys is up and running. The first two shows were about as successful as we could have hoped and tickets are selling well for the remaining shows. Something I've been reminded the last two nights is the fact that you never know how an audience is going to react to anything. Something you want to be dramatic can be hysterical to them, and vice versa. This is different than when you want something to be funny and it is not (that has more to do with just trying too hard) but instead is all about the fact that the audience determines whether something is funny or dramatic.

This makes things difficult for me. I have worked hard and long to come to the conclusion that you can't worry about the audience, you have to more or less do things on stage for yourself (comedy, improv, anything), but truely the audience makes or breaks your show. And so I thought about it and this is what I think...

Firstly, the audience hates it when you pander to them. They know you are doing it and they hate it. Its like if someone shoved a painting in your face and yelled "YOU LIKE THIS". Even if you do, the presentation was just too abrasive. Secondly, all audiences are different, so you have an idea of what a particular audience will like, but there are no absolutes. But there seems to be something close to an absolute: audiences love honesty. If you can be completely focused and honest that is about the best you can do, and a bonus if you are having a killer time doing it. Audiences will feed off your energy and want to be up there with you. I think there is a big of fruedian actor-envy with most spectators.

So thats my theory and it looks pretty good to me right now anyway. Doesn't mean the next time I'm on stage I'm not going to be piss scared the audience will hate me, that doesn't really ever go away I don't think...

History Boys has been running along smoothly.  We had our first full run on Friday, which was good, and we are less than 2 weeks from opening (seemingly coming out of no where).  So, I thought I would give those who know nothing about History Boys a little background so that you will want to come to see it every night it plays.  

History Boys is mostly about that magically dramatic time of the last semester of pre-collegic schooling.  Friends are going to be saying long good-byes, doubt slowly overcasts visions of a bright future, and, as with anytime charged with so much energy, there is a bit of sexuality in the air.  Some teachers scramble to ensure that their long term investments on humanity have all the trimmings they need, while others do their best to craft honest loving young adults.  The question is, which is the true job of a teacher?  

History Boys is also a little bit about deceit.  How far can a person bend the truth before it is a lie? If a such an action benefits you greatly yet has (seemingly) no ill effects is there a moral fault?

All in all History Boys is a lot bit about heart.  These boys have more heart than they will ever again have in their lives.  They believe they will move on to a life of fulfillment.  Build cities, save lives, preach the words of God.  In reality so few, even of the most talented, near such feats.  But for this special time in their lives they do believe it.  "Never such innocence again".

We've started our second week on act 1 yesterday. People were not quite as off book as Brad would have liked, but it wouldn't be a rehearsal process if that sort of thing didn't come up. Brad did some pretty cool things yesterday that I want to toss in my future director idea hopper. He had everyone react to Adam's monologue (that he would be giving to the torrie group) which seemed to help him and was fun for everyone else. This won't be in the show, but gives Adam a better feel for what is going on. Brad also encouraged going back through a scene and just trying it another way, even if the scene went well, just so we don't get stuck in a creative rut. The big success, in my opinion, is what happened on Irwin's second class scene. Before the scene had been tame and frankly boring. Brad more or less forced the boys to react to what Irwin was saying and it was SO much more interesting, important, and thankfully entertaining. Now, normally I'm all about doing things "organicly" (that god awful word) but this REALLY worked, and I will keep that in mind in my directing in the future. It was a real conversation between the boys and Irwin, though the boys had no lines.

Those are the big things from yesterday, but today is Tuesday...so that can only mean absolute brilliance.

So Far

I guess I'll start out by catching up with what I have done so far.  As History Boys assistant director at Stage West in Des Moines I've been to all rehearsals and production meetings.  I meet with Brad (director) often outside of rehearsal and discuss blocking, objectives, and any other ideas Brad or I (much more so Brad) have.  We just finished blocking yesterday and things look very good at this point.  Working with Brad shows me how absolutely important it is to come VERY prepared for rehearsal.  He has very specific blocking ideas and isn't afraid of mapping things out in deep detail, and will let the actors break free of them later if necessary.  Mostly, I've learned that having a deep personal investment in  a script and casting passionate people will lead you to a very special rehearsal process.  Much more to come!