SOSEblog+news
So.... I've now been in MYSTERIES rehearsal for 8 weeks (5 times per week). Not too unusual, right? 8 weeks is pretty common. Well, there are 6 more weeks to go! Dear God... this is tough.
Every night that I spend at the theater, I'm reminded of why I'm there. I'm constantly inspired by those around me and challenged to push on… forge ahead and find something new. And, I find my own personal prejudice toward organized religion to be an extra challenge. Can I overcome my beliefs successfully so that I can look truthfully at the ones I’m portraying? We hope.
This is some high powered material and deals in emotional plains that we as people are not accustomed to. However… it is somehow still accessible to us. Somehow we know and understand how to connect to it. Perhaps because the plot is simple but the stakes are high – for example, you will not find a massive twist at the end where M. Night throws the you into a tailspin. In place of a twist is simplicity and heartfelt listening. In the end we are left with our own personal connection to one another and a simple story that is moving regardless of personal belief.
In society, there are too many conflicting perspectives. The stories are over analyzed to the point of "us vs. them". However, here… in this production… we are not approaching from a single perspective. Instead we look outward at many and attempt to bring them all in and allow them all to have a place. By giving them all weight we hope to find that one NEW perspective that has not been found. It is in the search of something new and untainted that we find our challenge. Can we trust that the search is enough? Or, do we need to manufacture something for the paying audience? Are they interested in the search or ONLY in what we are searching for?
I suppose we can only do our work and present what we believe to be the object of the exercise. That, in the end, is our job.
Comments
I think watching you search on stage - a representation of your journey over the past 14 weeks - is the most interesting thing you can present. It's at the root of all religions, and an integral issue to our society right now. The search itself is never enough, but if we have "enough," then we're done searching. And it's part of my belief system that when we're done searching is when life ends, figuratively, if not literally.
Adam | Apr 05
Having been a follower of SOSE's work for several years, I've seen it coalesce as a company and make theatrical breakthroughs on several fronts. From all I'm hearing about "The Mysteries" this will be a major theatrical experience for both members of the company and audience and I for one cannot wait to see it.
Larry Coven | Apr 07
I could not agree more with Matt- the rehearsal process is unlike anything I have ever encountered- I have rehearsed over three months before as an actor (a four month rehearsal process for Marat Sade) but never as a director and this is kicking my butt. The good news is that it is all what I expected it to be- we are in the "cleaning and polishing and pacing" part of the process and I knew this would be the hard part--- when one can see the top of the hill and it looks very far away and the road to it seems very very steep indeed! The cast is exhausted and sick and the director worries that he is mentally sick (I am creatively tired as I have not missed a rehearsal for two months and it is beginning to show).
I am kept boyant when I remember that we are reaching for something big--- and I do believe that the reach is what is ultimately important. All the literature and movies I love (you know---sentimental, romantic stuff where the hero/heroine is surely doomed and manages through a combination of brains and sweat to muscle through to a happy ending)-anyway, all those films and books have taught me that tough times are necessary to create something fine.
so....we trudge on.
The cast is superb and Paul has given us a lovely set to play upon--- and at one time I did have a handle on these stories so... on we go, work work work, Christian and not so Christian soldiers.
Long live SOSE
Long live the third week in May!!
Long live Mai Tais on the beach!!
blessings
michael
michael nehring | Apr 10
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