Human Borders - Notes from the 2/13 run
Rose, apart from the pacing issues I mentioned to everyone – picking up cues, thinking
on lines instead of between lines, pursuing objectives, etc. – here are a few additional
ideas. Many of them I am sure you are already addressing, so I apologize for any
redundancy.
Cast
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Entrances from further offstage would eliminate seeing actors through scrims
Rick and Devon should be in character when the first come on, even if they are
moving furniture
Fight choreography could use some attention
If Rick is interested in Tony as is indicated in the script, I think he needs to look
at her more – especially in the first scene. He has a tendency to turn away to
indicate emotion. This is also evident in the last scene of the play, when he rarely
looks at Tony. He is desperate to win her back and it seems to me he ought to
look at her.
I think Jeffrey will appear more powerful and threatening if he simply moves less
– less crossing to and away, but less rocking on heels too
I’d eliminate the two convenient candles on the table – it’s stagey and not
necessary. The lighting of them is clumsy too. I’d eliminate them entirely. As I
recall, they say they will light candles, not that they are lighting them.
Rick should have something to do in the auto shop other than open and close
drawers. It could be a prop, it could be miming working on something not
present. He just seems at sea trying to do something with nothing.
Technical
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Some of the sound cues were abrupt and could be smoothed out.
I think the house lights should be brought up prior to the stage lights for
intermission. It cues the audience better.
After the first scene in Act 2 the music is way too scary and the scene change
seems to take too long.
Does John say that Lorenzo killed Sophia? He doesn’t, does he? Is this an idle
threat or an inconsistent script?
The scene changes are really getting in the way of the flow of the story. Anything
you can do to shorten them would be great
Rick is left on stage for a long time after the last words. I don’t think we really
track any more story through his expression, so I’d bring the lights down much
sooner.
I thought overall the show was in a good spot. It needs tightening and rhythm, but I think
they can get there in the next 3 days. Thanks for all your work on this, Rose.
Dawson