My second rehearsal

Back at the Charles Tower rehearsal room one week later with my cousin Linda, visiting from the UK. Linda enjoys watching the process just as much as I do. She returns home the night before opening day, but we will catch a preview as well as at least one other rehearsal. By chance we see the same three segments as I did last week - Buchanan, Pierce and Lincoln so we can see the progress as the actors ditch their scripts. 

Watching has me thinking of two "T"s - the first being Truth. Historical truth may be elusive and I have no way to judge, but there is a theatrical truth in each segment which Sean and the cast strive to bring out. One little suggestion, such as a tone of voice for gossip transforms the scene, and it is so interesting to see all the cast instantly get it and implement.

The other T is transition. With 45 plays and one intermission we have 43 transitions, each with a changing of the presidential jacket and a rearrangement of actors and set. It all has to be done fast and cleanly- shaving a couple of seconds off makes a real difference.