One of the things that has sucked most about COVID-19 is how it has put a damper on theatre activities. Having moved to LA recently, I was excited about participating in stage activities and becoming part of a theatre group as soon as possible. However, the pandemic hit the theatre world bad and made it impossible to start something new in a new city. Mercifully, after months of emailing groups, schools and artists, I found a summer Shakespeare workshop in the valley that I could easily attend.
I’ll never forget my first visit to Will Geer Theatre Botanicum. I rode my motorcycle through the curvy roads of Topanga Canyon flanked by pleasant views of hillocks. The short ride was fun, adventurous and refreshing. As I pulled into the parking lot of the Botanicum, I saw Ms. Ellen Geer walking in. I was to meet her to present a short monologue and get my assignment for the intensive workshop. She smiled at me as I parked my bike but our greetings were drowned by the loud thumping noise of my motorcycle as I, in my stupidity, hadn’t turned off the engine before beginning to speak. We walked in where I met Michelle and after a short chat, performed my monologue from Romeo and Juliet. To my delight, Ms. Geer said I’ll be fine and gave me an extraordinary piece from Richard III.
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The month of the workshop was the most creatively satisfying time I’ve spent in California so far. Surrounded by hills, green trees, nature sounds, and a group of talented actors, I worked on my monologue under the guidance of wonderful teachers. The voice work sessions with Ms. Jan Wilkstrom got me back in the groove as it had been months since I had acted. Ms. Melora Marshall directed my monologue in which I employed scansion and rhetoric techniques taught by Ms. Susan Angelo. The Alexander technique sessions were great for body language, breath and future work. I particularly enjoyed the Elizabethan life session by Ms. Elizabeth Tobias as it gave an insight on social structure, clothes, courtesy during that era and how it matters in Shakespeare.
On the day of the performance itself, we were all ecstatic. Starting with some Elizabethan dance (choreographed by Ms. Marshall), we went through one monologue after another presented for a small audience. Our directors had done a fine job making use of the entire space for the show. I myself was to hide on the upper level and make an entry from the balcony. I was a bit nervous but by the time it was my turn, I was confident and raring to go. The last performance I had done was a student project where I played the General in a recreated scene from The Outbreak for a direction class. Stepping on stage to perform for a Live audience again, and a Richard III monologue at that, felt like an infusion of much-needed oxygen.
I have now returned to the Will Geer theatre for another workshop in October, this time on scene work. It’s reassuring to see some familiar faces from the summer intensive – wonderful artists I had the pleasure of connecting with in August. And there are some new ones to learn from! Here’s hoping that my journey as an actor continues here in LA and I stumble upon some creative inspiration again.