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« on: Nov 15, 2010, 01:36 pm »
So, my show had an eventful weekend, and I'd love to discuss the situation.
There is a scene between a guy, his friends, and a transvestite hooker. The guy and the hooker have this verbal cat-and-mouse about who is more "man," hustling each other, etc. It's very intense, and the transvestite ends up giving the guy a blowjob while the guy's friends egg him on. There are two other scenes going on at the same time on other parts of the stage.
As we're in week 5, the scene has evolved. At Thurs night's performance, the friends threw the transvestite around a little, grabbing her while mocking her before the blowjob happened. It was more physical, but the blocking was generally the same. I told the actors to rein it in, as that wasn't what had been discussed.
Fri night's performance, it was even more violent and was a near-gang-rape scene. The friends threw the transvestite against a plexi window and yanked up her skirt without telling her. This was problematic for a number of technical issues, but it also rattled the rest of the people onstage. (I even had a younger actress leave the theater in tears because she was shaken up by the new scene content.)
After an email to the director stating that the intent and blocking had changed, throwing off the rest of the cast, angering them with the content, and pulling focus from the other scenes, he came in and watched. The actors reined the scene in a bit (similar to Thurs' performance) but the near-rape is still happening. The director was fine with the way the scene was performed that night, but told the actors not to take it any further.
A full company meeting after the show presented a few different takes:
"I wasn't informed I was going to have to watch a graphic scene that night, and the change angered and upset me." -one of the ensemble actresses, who at this point is seated by the window where they are throwing the transvestite
"I'm comfortable, I feel in control, and I'm not scared." -the actor playing the transvestite
"The blowjob scene is now so full of movement, it's pulling focus." -lead actress, in one of the other scenes happening at the same time
"We've been running for five weeks, scenes are bound to evolve and change in intent. It's the same as giving different line readings every night." -actor
"The scene is not written as violent and sexual as you are performing it, and I am offended at the interpretation." -actor
"I'm bringing something new to the show, and I'm not sure why I'm being punished. It's a gift to the show, and for the actors to work off." -one of the friends in the scene, who initiates the throwing around
While I'm not sure all feelings are resolved, having an open forum has certainly helped. I don't want to give you the conclusion yet, but I'm curious what your take on the situation is.
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