The tech run

The tech run was exciting, confusing, slightly unnerving and a learning curve. We started by walking around backstage, seeing which exit was which and how to get to them. Then we got changed into our costumes and got to our backstage starting positions. We started the movement sequence and repeated our movements for about 20 seconds until everyone who wasn't in the opening scene left the stage. Now here's what confused me slightly: when we rehearsed this scene we went straight into dialogue when everyone was offstage, but the music continued for slightly longer and I was started to think if this was where I was meant to start it off but I knew that until the music stopped, we were still doing our movements. I sensed slight awkwardness amongst the rest of us onstage because I think we we all thinking the same thing and I looked at jack and telepathically asked him if I could start but then I remembered I was wearing a mask and it wasn't going to work. Anyway, the music finished and the scene started (I just hope that they cut that down for Thursday). Our scene went ok, I shouted orders but apparently not enough and I moved around telling people what to do and helping them out, but the mask is something I need to get used to. I can see through it fine but I can't see where my feet are going so that is something I need to be wary of. The falling was pants; it was quite fake and the second time around I was kicked in the mouth whilst falling (I bled but I was ok, thanks for asking) and some of us forgot which way to fall. I think we would all fall better if we had more self-assurance that nobody will get hurt. If someone does get seriously injured, we will have to get on with it and they can pretend that's part of the whole thing, but I think injuries is a concern to all of us. When the end came we didn't all scream and shout like we were meant to, this was upsetting to jack, but at least we got off at the assigned exits.
I went straight to the changing rooms to change into my spirit costume and  after our physical part around the tree, I quickly discovered that a few movements make the front come down and show my bra. This isn't something I would cry over because my underwear is nude, but I've become worried that if it happens in the performance it will be noticed and god knows what events would follow.Most of us spirits had this problem and covered it up with our hair so for the performance I will most definitely need my hair straightened and can't cut it drastically short between now and then. As the run carried on, it became apparent to me that I really need to refresh myself of my cues because I knew roughly when I was meant to be on and off but I didn't have a script on me and I needed to make quick trips to the changing room (I had a cold and I can't carry tissues around with me). Entrance A is the entrance I use quite a lot and the door is right by the stalls. I got to my entrance quite early and I have to stay there until I'm next meant to be on. I can't stand outside the dot and listen in because the open door will let light and noise in and that will distract members of the audience. My concern about entrance a is that when I'm there I might attract attention from the audience whilst I'm waiting to go on stage because the area isn't hidden. If the audience look to their left they can see me and I'm not the only one who uses the entrance either. I was told after the run that it will be pitch black in that area and I wouldn't be noticed, so noise coming from entrance a must be abysmal.
At the part where us spirits and ariel sing to an enchanted Ferdinand, none of us were singing loud enough and it was more of a tuney murmur than song. We all knew we were being too quiet but we were waiting for one of us to start singing louder, but none of us were so the silence continued. When we go over this again we must be louder and if it means one of us being louder than the rest for encouragement, then it must happen. Singing to an audience might throw us a bit because this is something we aren't used to at all, I think if we went over the song just us spirits it could help for assurance and confidence.
At the part where the prosperos change, I'm meant to go on and change their capes but I wasn't actually where I was meant to be because I thought I was meant to have gone offstage. Jack and I were actually meant to stay on stage and come back on when ariel monologues to the men and scares them and be devils and scare them even more. I was trying to remember which entrance I came in from but I remember now, so it's ok.
When I change to the master of the ship again, there is little I do on stage but I need to make sure I don't block myself out and stay to the side. Though I'm not talking, I need to be present during the boatswain's announcement and be more central to the stage or I just look like I'm not meant to be there.

Notes from our director were different to each individual. I got the most notes with the beginning and my speaking and I was told I don't shout enough commands. Jack was deeply disappointed in me as I was myself but I know now that I need to come up with more commands. Volume was also another issue for all of us in that scene and we need to start panicking when the ship splits but we didn't because I think we were all unsure of when we were meant to start doing that. I think that if we go over the beginning scene once or twice more we will know it better. We haven't gone over it that much in rehearsals because we're always so concentrated on the other scenes, so next week in the rehearsals when we run over it again we can polish it and we will all be more comfortable in the scene.
A note for everyone was energy and volume. The energy was quite low thus causing the volume to be lower than what it could be but the theatre isn't built to make the sound bounce back into the space. Instead, the sound is absorbed and lost so what we think is loud is actually quiet. Projecting is something we can all work on. The run could have been so much better and was quite disappointing, but rehearsals will be beneficial.