Tech Week: Sun and Mon

          This week began tech week for Pippin. Sunday kicked us off with a full run-through, adding costumes and the orchestra. With all of the new additions, however, the run was accompanied with a number of problems, mostly things we had to work on now, with the additions of costumes and all of the props. We used that rehearsal to start to get a sense of how much time we have for costume changes, as well as prepping the props for each scene. Though it took a while (and because of that, we never got to finish the show), the major problem areas began to be addressed. In addition, we ran into some issues with the music; mostly just trying to work through it with a newly-assembled live orchestra. As it was fairly new material for them, they are exempt. The problem, I feel, comes from the fact that we cannot see the music director while on stage, so we cannot gauge how to find the tempo for a number of songs (especially some of the difficult ones). But this is a problem we have to accept, because the layout of the theatre does not allow us to see her as well as let her be seen by the orchestra.

          Monday was a day for working. Though it was very late in the process to do work like this, it needed to be done. We started off rehearsal taking some publicity photos for the local paper (adding costumes as well). Afterwards, we had a sitzprobe (for those who don't know, its a rehearsal where the cast sits and runs the show through, dialogue and music, with the orchestra - no staging necessary). This gave us one final chance to find our weak spots in the music, and fix them alongside the orchestra. It also helped us get a better sense of the tempo settings for each song, as we could see the music director conduct the band. I must say, after Monday's rehearsal, I am feeling much more confident in myself and in the show. I think all of the cast is now feeling more excited about the show than we have as of late. Opening night should go great!