| |
|
|
Andrea Hodges
Having participated in numerous courses from Rainbow of Desire to Acting
techniques workshops I have learnt much about both myself and ways into
finding and exploring character. Recently I have worked with Jennifer on
her play ‘Til death do us part’ which she has both written and directed.
This has proved to be an interesting and enriching experience on many
different levels. The work has been challenging and invigorating and we
have had many laughs along the way. My knowledge of Boal’s Theatre of
the Oppressed has been developed beyond belief and I still feel that I
have only just dipped my toe in the water. More recently the work has
focused on body language which has been equally enlightening!
Simon Morgan-Thomas
Rehearsal process - Has been unlike any rehearsal process I've
experienced. More intense, more demanding and I repeatedly faced times
where I needed to "take a leap" or "step back." Of course I regretted
all those times I did not take the leap! I really appreciated that
Jennifer had such skill and invested the time to know us individually
and to know what she needed to do for us to grow in our performance.
Also the realisation that I was part of an on-going process that would
not cease with "the performance." The element of time was so important,
in that rehearsals conformed to the T.O. rehearsal process - long
sessions without breaks, enabling us to delve deeper into ourselves and
the work. The trust that developed between performer and director was
invaluable.
Performance- The performances I cannot compare to any other. The vital
connection with the audience, which I only truly realised as vital on
one evening in which the audience were shrouded in darkness. The loss of
this interaction making my character's need to be understood so
difficult without the eyes of an audience with which to connect. I found
the level to which the script had ingrained itself a new experience,
which I must attribute again to the rehearsal process and to the way in
which Jennifer had written her script. Also the freedom with which we
were able to explore the work on-stage, a comfort in a piece that was
un-comfortable, to be open to new thoughts, feelings or whatever may
arise during the performance. Honest and to-the-point feedback from
Jennifer was always constructive and appreciated following the
performance. Especially helpful as the type of performance that Jennifer
developed with us, made us as performers very 'present' and
'in-the-moment' thus without that outside eye a clear objective
reflection on the event would not have been possible.
Zoe Goodacre
The process of preparing Til Death Do Us Part has been so different from
any other I've been involved with and the rehearsals the unlike anything
I've experienced before. Rather than focusing on lines and blocking,
Jennifer's way of working takes you outside the play and into the lives
of characters and that really brings them to life. Although acting is
seen as a creative endeavour, I've never had the opportunity to be as
creative as I have working with Jennifer and my fellow cast members on
this play, nor have I felt so trusted. As a result, our characters have
real, honest histories and shared experiences that I think bring so much
depth to them and I believe this makes them completely believable for
people watching the play.
The performances have also been a departure
from plays I've been in previously. One of the things you learn early on
as an actor is that the world you create on the stage is self-contained.
Making a direct connection with your audience is seen as taboo for
'serious theatre'; something that's more the preserve of stand-up comedy
or pantomime. However, in Til Death Do Us Part we have been encouraged
to seek a direct connection with the audience from very early on and it
is amazing the difference it makes. Bringing the audience into your
world, making them a part of the action, is very powerful and it makes
each performance a completely different experience. At first it was
uncomfortable, but as I've gained confidence that feeling of connection
with the audience is the best feedback I could ever wish for.
|
|
|