Lost and Found: Character Schedule
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By Dr. Kimberly James in General Published: Wednesday, 25 July 07 - 06:26 AM (GMT) Last Updated: Wednesday, 25 July 07 - 06:45 AM (GMT) |
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Lost and Found: I discovered something old (found) while I was looking for something (lost).
Character Schedule: I couldn't come up with a better term for what I'm about to show you. If you have a better idea, please let me know.
What I found: I was putting my studio notes (from when I studied at Indiana University) away, and my homemade pocket finally let loose spilling a few pieces of paper I had deemed necessary to keep. Among the papers I discovered something I'm calling a "character schedule" from one of the Little Women productions I did. The leading character of Jo is a tour de force. She is hardly off the stage, and even sips of water needed to be scheduled, especially in Mexico City at high altitude on a raked stage!
When it is useful: If you have trouble remembering the when and where of your stage business, then this is a necessary tool for you. I find that I need one in limited situations:
+ Lots of props
+ Lots of entrances/exits
+ Lots of character development that occurs between scenes
+ Large large role
+ Limited rehearsal time
Your schedule can be as detailed as necessary. It may include props lists, costume information (like "don't forget your hat before you enter in scene 2"), and especially important entrances and exits.
Here below is a portion of mine from a previous Little Women production:
Prologue
Enter (NT) from stage left (SL)
Slow cross (X) to desk to write
End of "Unbake . . ." see chests and sisters; go up [to attic]
Act I, Scene i (I,i)
Put on wig and badge
Light change - XT down SL stairs
I,ii
NT with Laurie from SL on "story" music
X [in] at end of applause following John's aria, then "Oh, this cannot be born!"
XT upstairs to Meg's trunk after "Sister Jo . . . "
X down when hear Brooke's voice
X up again to Meg's trunk after "I'm going upstairs."
Stand on "It's supposed to be you."
XT down SL stairs on final chords
I,iii
NT from SL on 3rd repetition of motive
Go to Beth
X out of doorway after "Go"
X upstairs after "I know what I'll do."
Get book; pose
And so on and so forth . . .
If you have never done one of these before, I recommend trying this out for an upcoming scenes program or show. This would be extremely helpful for scenes programs in which you have responsibilities in a few scenes or with set changes.
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