Lines crossed and jumped over

At Saturday's rehearsal we were finally able to combine the three primary tools of acting: movement, text, and voice. These may seem like basic theatrical principles, but they can always come with the unexpected. Over the first few weeks of rehearsal there has been a strong focus on the creation of trust and intimacy (not that way) among the cast. We have crawled all over each other. Grabbed things not knowing what the "things" were until after - but then keeping hold of them because it was the only way to keep them in the air and safe. I don't want to describe rehearsal as a big orgy - it isn't - but the ensemble has created a closeness in a very quick manner.

But Saturday I crossed a line, rounded a base, or created a bond that will never be broken. I drooled on a fellow cast member. I did not spit, I did not have spittle as a spoke. I opened my mouth and drool fell out of it onto a cast member's back. I guess this requires a bit of a back story...

We were exploring the way sound resonates in the room. A cast member was on his knees investigating the resonance of the tile. I see his hunched back and I say in my mind, "I wonder what resonance with another body would be like. I should walk over, crouch down by him and vocalize into his back. Great use extreme proximity and shape. Great kinetic response, as my first impulse after seeing him as to go near him.

I approached him. I start my "ahhhh" at a medium volume and tone. I lean down with the anticipation of having a really unique sound...and I drool. And not a little. A fair amount of drool that had built up from the length of the exercises left my mouth and dripped down onto the back of this t-shirt.

DISGUSTING!

I am mortified. I break out of the exercise and say I am sorry. He gives a wave that I can only interpret as "that's cool - all part of the process". What? Seriously? After knowing each other for 2 weeks we can now drool on each other? The first rehearsal we rolled around on the floor. Last week we crossed the "eat off the same sandwich" line. I guess the drool line was bound to be crossed.

After the exercise we debriefed. "What did we learn? Any questions?" I had one concert thing I learned - when looking at the resonance of sound against a human body - always have both parties vertical.

And a big thank you to the dude who I drooled on - you are a man among men - an Actor among actors - and the most understanding person - I promise to really try to no drool on anyone else.