"You have to get out and promote your show". This the essence of "open access" performance art. The artist is responsible for the success of the show.
Today three of us take part in a photo shoot for The Advertiser Newspaper. We all put on our glitziest outfits and head for The Promethean theatre, where we are interviewed by Arts reporter Patrick Macdonald. Then photographer Naomi puts us through our paces. We are draped on couches, we pout, kick up our heels, sprawl on steps and almost stop the traffic by posing outside the theatre in sparkles at 11 in the morning.
While this is happening, it occurs to me that we make a strange group - a burlesque dancer, a professional comedienne and an escaped lawyer. Never mind the fact that I'm 20+ years older than the other two. What a fun morning. We remain in costume to return to Summer School, to show the others how we presented for the shoot. Next time, I'd wear more makeup and glitzier shoes. A ukelele makes a good prop....
Meanwhile, the others have been involved a comedy workshop with the wonderful Jo Coventry, which the three of us join upon our return. . We are asked to tell of a funny or weird experience, then teh group identifies the funny bits, and discusses how it could be made funnier. Lots of laughs.
Jo remains with us after lunch, to help us in rehearsing our 10-minute shows.
Yessss! I do have a show. The concept has come together gradually. I've continually made notes during this week. Every time I think of a fragment of an idea, I write it down, because these thoughts can vanish as quickly as they appear.
We heard a great variety of stories - everyone has had life experiences that can make a good story, and can be humorous. You have to pay attention to where people laugh - often in unexpected places. What you think is ordinary can be fascinating to someone who doesn't inhabit your world.
I am determined to present my show in as complete a form as possible. Saturday is not far away. And input from the group can be gold. As a speaker, I know that every time you get up and speak, you'll be better next time. Stage time, stage time. Seeing how a line goes across, and feeling what it's like to say the words, help to crystallize your thinking. One by one, problems are solved and the concept comes together as a whole.
These segments have been percolating all week. Everyone's come up with an intriguing piece - a window on their life. Over the years, when I've been asked to speak or write, I've learned that I can trust myself to "come up with something" - you just have to give it time and attention.
Tomorrow we go into the theatre to rehearse, ready for the big event on Saturday.
It's Showbiz!
I'm on the right, with Carla Conlin (left) and Jenny Wynter (centre)
No comments:
Post a Comment