Mattie Hawkinson and William L. Petersen in Blackbird
Writing from my laptop just before we begin rehearsals for the day….
So we are into our second week of rehearsals or our adventure and it has been great. Mattie and Billly work well together. And Dennis is orchestrating them well. We did out first stumble through for the designers and it went very well. (this is a run thru for the designers to get an idea of the blocking and what is happening in rehearsals) The actors were aware of people in the room, so the pace was quicker. We have not had a room full of people since first rehearsal. Billy comes in early to run lines with our intern Luisa. Mattie finds it better to work them on her own until she is more off book. The language of the play is so conversational, there are lots of starts and stops, difficult to memorize and be word perfect, but they will be. We have 2 weeks until the first preview, and only one week before the Open Rehearsal…I think things are going very well. More on Blackbird.
-Tina Jach, Production Stage Manager
6 responses so far ↓
Penny Chastain // June 19, 2009 at 4:57 pm |
I think this play will prove to be the best performance at Victory Gardens for 2009. I eagerly await when I sit there in my seat and allow the actors to unfold this controversial topic before my eyes. I admire Billy’s work and look forward to watching him perform on stage. I have purchased tickets for two performances…I’m counting on being utterly speechless the first time and will have the next night to savor the wonderful acting abilities of these two performers. I just hope that July arrives soon….
marja // June 19, 2009 at 6:55 pm |
Yes, I imagine learning the lines for this one is very difficult… with the stops and go and especially with all the unfinished thoughts. I’d say I’ll be paying close attention to the language when I first see the play but I’m sure I’ll be swept away by the total picture presented and will forget to do so… Can’t wait to see what Dennis, Billy and Mattie can do with this material… Looking forward to seeing this play very much.
Jodi // June 19, 2009 at 9:00 pm |
I agree that I’m looking forward to the production as a whole, having just started acting lessons, learing what exactly ‘blocking’ is…it’s exciting to realize what exactly it takes to pull this off….hoping I’ll get an opportunity to attend the open rehearsal as I’ve never been to one.
gloria // June 30, 2009 at 6:38 pm |
I got to see the 12 minutes of rehearsal last week–totally awesome beginning! Mattie Hawkinson already in her role! William Petersen–hard to believe he can be this character! And where will our sympathy be at the end of the play! Can’t wait to see the entire production of this very tense, very controversial play! It is a story from real headlines and should create some very different feelings in the audience.
Amberle // July 14, 2009 at 4:51 am |
I had the honor of seeing ‘Blackbird’ yesterday (Sunday, July 12th) with my best friend. We had front row seats and were just speechless the entire time…Billy and Mattie truly pull this very difficult play off, with ease none the less!
The emotions truly are so raw, and the acting, well, you can’t say enough about it, except for look who’s up there!
I admit, I squirmed a little bit at certain points, but it all the more put me in awe of Billy’s acting abilities, bravery, and versatility as the phenomenal actor that he is.
I truly appreciate and am honored/humbled by being in the audience during this amazing play and time in Billy’s life. Everyone who sees this will leave thrilled they made the effort.
Amberle // July 14, 2009 at 11:52 pm |
It’s been 2 days since I saw Blackbird and I am STILL ranting and raving to EVERYONE about it!
What a phenomenal play…I am still floored & humbled by the experience of seeing Billy onstage, in such a difficult and emotionally/mentally/physically trying character. THANK you VG for making this possible; you made my dream come true.
Congratulations on the success to all involved with ‘Blackbird’
This play will be with me for the rest of my life.