Rehearsals today

After talking it over with the cast, James decided that it would be best for rehearsals to be done in chronological order, as the play itself does alot of jumping around. This was actually a brilliant idea, because then there would be a sense of development among the characters. This meant though that today we rehearsed the last scene of the play, which, as those who have read it would know, is the most explicit scene in the show.

I spent alot of the morning (as I didn't need to go to the ten o'clock practice) walking and thinking about this moment and its significance. I thought about the brokeness that comes after it. I thought about how horrifying and wrong Peck's actions are and about how tragic his own life has been. I thought about the beauty of Lil' Bit's forgiveness and about the immense courage that she displays in the telling of her story. A friend from the SCIO program which I revisited today, asked me how I was dealing with such a character, "he is still one of God's children" was what came out of my mouth. That's what I took into rehearsal with me. It went well. It was definately a heavy scene to block and create together, but all of us handled it with such sensitivity and courage ourselves that I can't but smile at the honor it is to be bearing the burden of such an account. It gave me great encouragement for the rest of rehearsals to come.

If you havn't read the script, I highly recommend it. It is availiable at Mulnomah County I know for sure. If not, you may have to order it. Paula Vogel is a quality playwright. Once again it is called _How I learned to Drive_.

Sincerely,
Tyler