“Laughter is medicine for the soul.” - January 20
Our ensemble gathered this week for a joyful and thoughtful rehearsal filled with reflection, humor, and creative discovery. During check-in, participants shared why they were excited to take on The Comedy of Errors—and what comedy means to them in this moment of their lives.
One participant shared, “We can let loose and be ourselves. It’s such a serious world—so I find every chance to have fun.” Another added, “I thrive better in comedy. I gotta get past this part to go on to tragic roles. My goal is to act.”
The group reflected deeply on laughter and joy, with one participant beautifully summarizing, “Laughter is medicine for the soul.” Another shared, “Shakespeare is my happiness. You bring us happiness. It lets you forget for just a minute the reality you’re in.”
After sharing jokes and stories—sparking waves of laughter—we dove back into blocking Act 3, Scene 1 and beyond. Ensemble members stepped into new roles, supported one another through staging, and brought strong energy and confidence to the work. Participants experimented with movement, dance, and character choices, building momentum toward a vibrant, playful production.
The day closed with continued collaboration, curiosity, and a shared commitment to making people laugh—onstage and off.
“You threw me off ‘cause you’re playing a woman!” “You’re playing a man!” - January 22
Rehearsal continued with creativity, collaboration, and an infectious sense of play. Ensemble members shared their love of reading, creativity, and learning, and celebrated one another with kindness and care. We checked in as a group, shared updates, and celebrated milestones together.
We began the session with warm-ups and movement exercises, followed by focused blocking on Act 3, Scene 2. Participants worked together to deepen objectives, add physicality, and explore audience engagement. When we tried a new chase exercise to energize the scene, the response was immediate and joyful.
“That was fun!” one participant exclaimed, while another added, “I loved it!” The ensemble decided to keep the exercise as part of the staging, embracing movement and play as key storytelling tools.
We continued into Act 4, Scene 2, refining character choices and comedic beats. Participants applied notes with enthusiasm, fought for objectives, and celebrated each other’s breakthroughs. Improvisation, accents, and playful experimentation kept the room buzzing with laughter—especially during a spirited exchange about cross-gender casting that had the whole ensemble laughing.
We wrapped the session with a group game and plenty of joy, ending with connection, humor, and a shared sense of accomplishment.