Sunday night, we held the first rehearsal for the staged reading of my play, “Last Day At Maple View Farm.” The rehearsal was held in Hubbard Hall’s Freight Depot building and theater, where the play will be staged. David Snider and the actors went through two readings – the rehearsal was four hours. This is the same space where I teach my writing classes, Red is at home there, he came along.
It was a powerful experience for me to hear these words read aloud, something a book writer does not often experience. David and I both started cutting and chopping the script – too wordy in places, once I heard it read aloud I knew it had to be leaner, move faster, and leave some judgements to the audience.
David cut some lines and dialogue, I cut some, it was an exciting creative experience, we were completely in sync and I felt the play become healthier, the dialogue more crisp and fast-paced. We will rehearse again on Thursday, David and the actors will block out the play. The actors will be reading from the script, but they will be moving around, acting a bit. I was impressed with the actors, acting is quite different from writing, but they were passionate and professional, I was humbled by their dedication to the script, their seriousness about it.
I was in a bit of a flu-induced haze, doped up and groggy, but once David and I got rolling, and started interacting with the actors, I woke up, I loved it. All of these people were so committed to understanding the characters and the work. It is really a play that asks the question: “what are people for?” and tries to acknowledge the passing of one of the most storied institutions in American life, the small family farm.
The rehearsal was business-like, David kept things moving, we ended up chopping about a third of the play out, it is better for it. I think David was expecting more of a fight from me, but I love editing and direction, it always makes me better. The good writers I know love honest feedback, they want to be better more than they want to be right.
How fascinating to see actor Chris Barlow playing the part of the embattled dairy farmer Ralph Tunney. At one point, he was so overcome with emotion that he wasn’t sure he could go on. Take a deep breath, said David. So he did. Me too.
This has always been an emotional story for me, and seeing some of the actors cry and struggle to keep their equilibrium reading their parts, this touched me deeply. No rehearsal tomorrow, Weather Panic time in the Northeast. I am so lucky to be able to try something new, fortunate to live in a town that encourages it. I think I will work to expand on this play a bit, see where I can take it.
The first performance of “Last Day At Maple View Farm” will be at 8 p.m. Thursday. I’ve invited Carol Gulley, my friend and a farmer who read the play for me, and also Tyler, our young friend from the neighborhood. Winter weather all week, might not be much of a crowd, but doesn’t really matter. I’m proud to be a part of Hubbard Hall’s new Winter Theater Festival. Tickets and information here.