Definitely back in the saddle!

DTC Jr:

- had fun with some of our initial exercises

- got a little rockier when attempting to review script story

- had a rougher time when we attempted to review the rules to improv so we could add meat to the story of our script

- in the end, we survived

DTC Sr:

- group felt like we missed one another

- good to see the motivation come back

- had a good conversation on dependability and "being busy"

- also initiated a wonderful "brainstorming session" around our next project

I wasn't sure how to prepare our rehearsal space for what's probably been the coldest day this winter. Unfortunately, only one of the AC units in the space was providing warm air so I left it running for about half an hour while I went to catch dinner down the road. I was thankful when the group showed up and they didn't seem to mind. I made sure we got straight to work so the temperature would not be an issue.

We began with a "partners exercise" to begin working with one another and following directions. It required one of the partners to have their eyes closed and included navigation instructions. I was somewhat worried about an accident occurring. Thankfully, the group was small enough I was able to keep my eyes on them as I kept track of the time. (I'll be honest: the last minute of "partners work" seemed to last forever and we ended up having at least one crash, but it was very minor!)

Next was an exercise to work on focus, concentration, and working together as a group. It was amazing to see the dynamic as they navigated their way through the rules of the game in order to achieve the next level. It seemed they were enjoying it as much as I was, watching them. I'm excited to see how far they'll advance the next time we attempt it!

I need to spend more time with them on the rules of Improv and let them know what we're looking for when playing Improv games, so we'll be able to utilize it as we flesh out the story of our script. I was hoping we could quick review what we had gone over about two weeks ago, but that wasn't very successful this evening. Perhaps I'll have more luck next week.

We were at least able to review and mark out the skeleton of the script we had been working on. Now we just need to find a way of digging into it and coming up with some dialogue.

DTC Sr:

It was great seeing the group again. We went at it as if we had never skipped a rehearsal. We were able to check in, see where we had been, and decided on where we would like to go, and even begin brainstorming toward our next project.

DTC will begin organizing toward our next, original short play to be created and produced for the Tampa Theatre Festival next year, which gives us about three months (12 rehearsals) to come up with an idea, write out a script, and revise it until we are all happy with the outcome. Our hope will be to create a solid scene for the short play competition and if we are feeling ambitious and the story snowballs our way, perhaps we could even submit it into the long play competition. Only time will tell.

I was excited at all of the enthusiasm I was hearing with regards to the potential themes we could use for our next project. The conversation and ideas that were coming out was exactly the kind of conversation I have been wanting to have in the theatre, for a long time. I can't wait to see what comes of it!