This session, A.B.L.E. has three different ensembles - 2 for teens (ages 15-21) and one for adults (ages 22+). Each ensemble is led by a pair of teaching artists, and supported by a team of volunteer facilitators. These groups will work together to devise two original shows. Each week, we share updates from the rehearsal room. Click here to read past installments, and read on to learn about week 6 of rehearsals!
While devising a show, our teaching team can be heard saying two things over and over again: “We only have how many weeks left?!” followed quickly with “We’ll figure it out.” We spend weeks playing and trying and thinking, and then suddenly, somehow a show materializes. Our concepts for this semester’s devised pieces have come together. Scripts are in their final editing process. We’re hunting for costumes and props. The box office is open for ticket sales. And our shows are shaping up!
Teen Ensembles
Our Monday and Friday ensembles continued to generate content for their stories, with an extra focus on movement pieces. The Monday ensemble worked together to create machines, as well as reviewing tableaux from earlier weeks. The Friday ensemble worked in pairs to build a sequence about close friendships. We also trie out pieces of our script, and interviewed each other to get more information we can use to write monologues and scenes.
Adult Ensembles
During week 6, we returned to our objects one last time for some final insights and improvisations to help our teaching artists finish the scripts. Actors were assigned to their final groups and worked on a series of prompts to flesh out the scenes, including deciding on casting, costuming, and music choices for each object’s origin story.
We can’t wait to share these original productions with you! Though both shows are very different, each showcases the imaginations and personalities of our ensemble in special ways.
