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Who Will Carry the Word?
Posted Janary 27, 2008
I find it amazing and very telling that I just finished my first rehearsal for the Red Fern Theatre Company’s latest production called Who Will Carry the Word?, only to run home to write a blog (for those of you who know me or have been keeping up with my blog, you know that a moment like that doesn’t happen often).
The reason is quite simple: I just became involved with a company that is out to change our opinions (actors and audiences) and to raise awareness. While our rehearsal process is only beginning, that fact is very evident.
Our cast has 23 women! And our show is truly an ensemble effort. What a wonderful sisterhood we are already forming! Today, our director, Melanie Moyer Williams, took us back to Acting 101. We did a trust exercise where one stood in the middle of a circle, closed her eyes, and fell. When she felt comfortable, she’d tell the group to take a step back. Not only did she fall farther, but she then had not one set of hands to catch her, but three, just to make sure that she wouldn’t fall to the floor. The farther back the group stepped, the farther our hands would reach into the middle of the circle to catch the one in the center before she actually began to fall. Eventually, I was the one in the middle, and it took a few moments to know that their hands were ready to catch me. Letting go and trusting, as a human being and an actor, are scary things to do. It felt good to be able to trust so early in our process. And realize that if only one person stepped out of the circle, the girl in the middle would fall. It is symbolic to the way the women in our story kept each other alive. It took 23 to keep two alive. That’s a sisterhood effort at its very best.
Another exercise involved posing in groups of three where one or more or all were being held up by the others in the group. After discovering and observing our poses, one group would build onto another group and so on. The weight shifted, and individuals who were supporting were now being supported by someone else. Each woman was almost more concerned in the well-being of the woman next to her than herself. The effect left every single member of the group supporting and supported almost effortlessly. If only we could work that way in our everyday lives.
I know some of these exercises sound silly, but we went there with our 23 new friends. I know I sound extremely cheesy right now, but it is such a relief to join an ensemble cast knowing that there will be support, giving, and trust from the first rehearsal to the last performance. I am thrilled to go on this journey with these women and excited to see where telling this story will take us. I’m sure I will be updating my blog with details and stories as our rehearsal process continues. So keep checking back!
Until then…
Hello!
Posted May 8, 2007
It has been too long since I have updated my blog- my apologies! I'll do my best to catch you up with a brief synopsis:
The run of Honky Tonk Angels at Playhouse Merced in Merced, CA was a great success! I had a wonderful time with the cast, crew, and people of Merced (and my voice decided to come back for the run of the show- thank you, voice!). I am now back in New York City missing the lovely people I had the privilege of meeting there.
After many auditions in the cold winter months in NYC, I've landed another role. I'm currently playing Georgie in the Academy Theatre's Production of The Full Monty. We are in tech week this week, which is always a whirlwind, but we are in great shape. I can't speak for the rest of the cast (especially for the men who have to take off all of their clothes), but I am ready to put the show in front of an audience. I have to say that I have had more fun working with this character on this show than I have had in a while. It's rude, it's crude, sometimes it's just wrong- but it sure is funny! After playing sweet, innocent, naive, little ole Darlene for the past six months, it's nice to stretch my legs a bit with a brash and loud Georgie. The people of the Academy are great, and we've had a blast putting the show together!
If you are in the New York area, and want to have a fun evening, I encourage you to come out to Bordentown, NJ to see The Full Monty! Call the Academy Theatre at (609)291-9000 for tickets and show information.
Thanks for checking out my blog, and I promise I'll update it again soon!
Until then,
Paige
Honky Tonk Angels
Posted January 7, 2007
Ah, the joys of traveling. I am currently working on The Honky Tonk Angels at the Playhouse Merced in Merced, California. According to the locals, Merced is abundant in agriculture, feeding thousands of people just from this little valley. It also is abundant in allergies.
We are in the first week of rehearsals, and I have lost my voice. Being as how it is a three person show with tight harmonies and about 25 songs, having a voice would be fairly important right now. But no worries, y’all. The wonderful people of the company are working hard to get me well, and I feel confident that by next week, I’ll be 100%.
This is the first time that I’ve worked on the same show at different theatres, and it’s a little more difficult than I expected. I’m working against my muscle memory on a lot of songs, but we are in good shape for the first week. I’ve worked very hard to tame my Southern accent while auditioning in New York, so it feels good to let it run free while working on a country show like Honky Tonk Angels.
Before I go, I just have to note at how welcoming everyone at Playhouse Merced is. I’ve been here a total of 5 days, and already, I feel like one of the gang. And as the “new person” for a show, that’s a nice feeling.
I’ll keep posting on the progress of the show, so, “y’all come back now, ya hear!” Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.
Until then,
Paige
Welcome
Posted January 6, 2007
First and foremost, I have to say welcome to my new website! I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am that it is finally up and running. It has been a lot of work, but I hope you enjoy.
Since this is the first blog that I’ve written, I’m not actually sure what it should say. So, how about a little bit of background? Sound good? Ok, great!
I was born and raised in small, conservative town in Northern Alabama. I grew up as the second daughter to two wonderful, loving parents. I loved getting into trouble, and if you ever run into anyone in my family, I’m sure they’d love to volunteer a story to prove it.
I began singing and dancing at an early age, but to be honest, didn’t really become involved until late in high school when I began working for my first theatre. I was hooked from then on!
Since then, I’ve been traveling around the country, working in various theatres, and meeting all sorts of different people. That’s what I love about being an actor: you never know where you’ll go tomorrow or who you meet when you get there…or what kind of adventures you’ll have. And there’s been a million crazy adventures!!! Sometimes times get hard or frustrating, but I wouldn’t take back a single second of it.
Again, welcome to the site! Sign the guestbook, glance through the pictures, listen to some sound clips, and let me know what you think! I’ll be updating here and there, so keep checking back.
Until then,
Paige |
