IN THE NEXT ROOM - post 5 - Angelica Howland (Catherine Givings)

Tonight while getting dressed for our first tech rehearsal in Stage West at the Herberger, I decided to use the bathroom before putting on my corset, butt pillow, petticoat and dress (always a wise thing to do) but could not find the dressing room bathroom light. Well, I went ahead and did it in the dark. As I was fumbling around for the toilet paper, a gecko (who had apparently found himself a cushy home atop the toilet paper roll) was rudely awakened. He jumped onto my hand, skittered across my bare thigh, then down the leg of my bloomers and onto my shoe. The toilet paper rolled out of reach as I jumped up and down, laughing and screaming bloody murder with my bottoms around my ankles. Lillie (my dressing roommate, YAY!) and Lois tried to help -- well, Lillie stayed safely in the dressing room calling for help while Lois came in and handed me the runaway toilet paper roll and looked for the overhead light. Now, I've got no problem with geckos. But I prefer to see them out of doors and definitely not down my pants, thanks.

For all you creature lovers out there, no, I did not inadvertently smash the little guy. The frightened little gecko scurried behind the toilet and is probably still there. I think both Lillie and I will be using the Ladies Room in the hall from now on.

And now -- new topic... My costumes are so gorgeous I can't stand it!

IN THE NEXT ROOM - post 4 - Francis Jue (Dr. Givings)

I’ve been naked on stage in many productions of M. BUTTERFLY. And so I thought I was prepared for today’s rehearsal of the final scene in THE VIBRATOR PLAY, in which my leading lady and I undress each other. But this morning I found myself shaking inside, so nervous that I couldn’t remember my lines. It wasn’t just undressing Angelica that intimidated me. It was much scarier being undressed by her. Much like my character Dr. Givings, I found myself terribly frightened of disappointing her, even of offending her. As Butterfly, taking off my clothes was meant to be a shocking act of aggression. In THE VIBRATOR PLAY, taking off our clothes becomes the most intimate form of emotional nakedness. After an hour of undressing, dressing and undressing again, I can’t say that my nerves subsided, but that shaky feeling felt more like the aching need to love and be loved.

IN THE NEXT ROOM - post 3 - Angelica Howland (Catherine Givings)

After having worn a corset on and off for the past 4 days I can say with complete and utter conviction that I am very thankful to be a woman firmly rooted in this century. My ribs are aching as they settle back into place after being firmly compressed for hours. And the tiny place where a bent piece of boning was poking me (April, our wonderful stage manager, removed it -- and today it was much better) is still feeling a little bruised. And while I quite enjoy the lovely boobage and hourglass shape the corset gives me -- I have realized that I am most definitely a creature of comfort. I shall now raise this lovely glass of wine and say 'CHEERS!' to tank tops with built in bras and to the freedoms I enjoy as a woman in the year of 2010!

And now -- new topic... I do enjoy great language. Now if I could just remember which language goes where...

IN THE NEXT ROOM - post 2 - Lillie Richardson (Elizabeth)

I love watching Matthew direct...his lips move with the scenes!
You can just see him immersed in the scene. And he finds every little nuance to bring the picture to life. What is so interesting is...even though he is mouthing the words, when he stops the scene to talk to the actors he says all your lines wrong...throwing in all kinds of crazy words...words I would actually have to look up!
He finally said, in rehearsal yesterday, "do not let me give you a line-read, I WILL mess you up."
It is only less than a week into rehearsal and he has already created some wonderfully funny moments.
Love it!

IN THE NEXT ROOM - post 1 - Angelica Howland (Catherine Givings)

The first couple of days of rehearsal are always a little hard for me. As excited as I am to start a new project, as fun as it is to sit around the table and finally fit all the other characters voices into the puzzle in my head -- I miss my family desperately. When I got home tonight I went into my little boy's room to take a peek. He sighed softly in his sleep as I ran my hand through his hair and kissed his cool forehead. 'Mommy...' My heart swelled with love *insert snore (he certainly is his father's son)* and I chuckled as I tiptoed out again. That tiny little moment just made everything totally worth it.

And now -- new topic... had a fitting today. My corset is tight.

Paroxysm!