Dream sequence

Today we developed the dream sequence in the play. This was based on the idea of using movement from our feet, elbows and hips. Then we developed onto the idea of our hand waking us up - or trying to. This was a good experience as an actor because apart from that brief movement description and some stimulus words we were given the freedom to explore this terrifying dream alone, through physical movement. This helped me to develop my character background and allowed me to understand her day to day frustration more. This was because the dream sequence leads directly into my beginning scene with Ruby, it also is what happens after the scene which I kill Ruby.

The dream is a significant part of the play which draws the 12 together. Without it the play was beginning to feel limp, and like it had no tangible theatricality to lift the words off the page. Having created this dream it now feels like our play had become a story. It has more depth to it and the characters are starting to make sense to me. The basis of the dream was simple but it allows us as actors to go with our instincts and work organically from whatever nightmeare our character has in its head. 

Discussions with my peers within the show after rehearsals lead me to feel like we are at a turning point within rehearsals. The skeleton of the play is there, with the dream sequence being the heart if that and it's now up to us to bring it alive. Now we need to realise how important it is to just know what we need to do and when, do it and do it well. Some of actors, including myself need to work on the projection and articulation of their speech. If we don't we will be lost when we enter the big theatre. I also feel that I have some more work to do on my character. There is still something missing and I think it's about the amount of pressure and unbalance in her mind that we can't see, that I need to portray through her voice and body. I also feel like this about some of the strong characters within the play that aren't been given enough energy or strength to the roles. Now we have the basic play in order and the dream it might be easier for people to go back over and re discover a character again.