I'm working on a scene right now, that's all about the buildup of incredible sexual tension between myself and one of my colleagues. That is to say, a very good looking colleague. And you know what? I get completely awkward and uncomfortable when we try and rehearse. I don't know if it's the fact that she's attractive, or maybe just some discomfort with romance outside my marriage that's in the way. I know I never used to have trouble with the former... but then, it's been a few years since I've been in any kind of intimate situation with a good looking woman (who is not Bryn)!
I don't have much to base any of this on, since I've never done any kind of love scene before. I've had (simulated) sex onstage, but it's different when there's supposed to be real chemistry involved. So there we are, building tension and making the scene work, and a thousand different voices in my head are telling me to get out of the situation. All that stuff that makes me a good husband, it turns out, turns me into a terrible stage lover!
For now, my response is to try and use the discomfort. It's a genuine emotion, so if I build it into the character it will be working FOR me. But I really have to figure out how to get past this issue - eventually, I'm sure I will have some kind of love scene where I don't want to be an awkward putz!
So the question for the day is, how do you all do it? When you're called to have a stage kiss, or very passionate, physical stage behavior in general, how do you get past your mental blocks? Is it just a question of repetition and physical comfort with the person, or what?
Wed, 2007-05-02 05:50
Heh heh... let me sum it up this way, Cam:
When you are on stage in a role, you are no longer Cam Vertesi. You are [fill in the blank] _____________ (Rodolfo is it, in this case?) Face it, she sleepwalks in and you have to go right up to that edge, even lean waaaaaaaaaay over into that abyss, the abyss, any abyss that faces you in that or any role.
Here's the thing: You cannot be Cam Vertesi or even any part of Cam Vertesi on stage. (Unless and until they write an opera about you, then you can, of course.) What am I saying here? Fucking COMMIT to it already! Be in the moment, totally committed and do what the character would do.
Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore brother...! I know it's not easy. But this is what separates the men from the boys, on stage that is!
- reply
»Wed, 2007-05-02 10:29
Bring out the evil bass in you, man! I'm not really evil, I just play one on stage. Actually I'm a mild-mannered gentle singer. But, get me into a character, costume, and a situation on stage and I become someone, something else. You can disassociate yourself and become an evil killer, or a suave lover. Then, leave those characters in the wings of the stage, go home to your wife, and give her a BIIIIIIIGGGG SMOOOOCH!
- reply
»Fri, 2007-05-04 10:09
Oboe players never have to kiss. ;-)
- reply
»Fri, 2007-05-04 10:41
Would it help if Bryn gave you her blessing? Maybe you need to hear from her that she is okay with everything, that she understands the situation and that she trusts you no matter how hot and heavy things may get on stage.
- reply
»Fri, 2007-05-04 18:38
Thanks for the comments!
It's an odd thing to explore, to be sure. Typically I have no problem "losing myself" and becoming a character onstage. My other characters hit people, kill them, and take their souls... and I have no trouble going to those places.
I don't think it's a guilt thing either. This is my job, after all. And Bryn has had plenty of stage kisses etc. Heck, I spent all summer having simulated sex in Central City's Don Giovanni!
Anyways, I have rehearsal on Monday, and I've played with my character a bit to make it easier. I'll be sure to let you all know what happens!
- reply
»Fri, 2007-05-04 22:44
Yeah, that new substitution should do the trick! (hee hee)
Ariadne's Opera Scene Therapy 5c please ...
- reply
»Mon, 2007-05-07 15:35
Hey, Ariadne! You giving any deals or discounts on that opera scene therapy class?
- reply
»Tue, 2007-05-08 09:40
Why, EB? You got opera scene issues too? ;)
- reply
»Post new comment