REHEARSAL JOURNAL

On Tuesday June 9th we began the rehearsal process with a COMPANY READ-THRU of THE HISTORY OF LIGHT, YANKEE TAVERN, FIFTY WORDS, and FARRAGUT NORTH. (DEAR SARA JANE started rehearsals last week.) It was an amazing day…The COMPANY READ-THRU is one of my favorite days. Eight hours…four new plays…four playwrights…and a solid Acting Company. The actors read the plays sitting around a table to the entire 2009 CATF Company. It was a thrilling experience.

From Beau Willimon: “Thanks again for such a wonderful past few days out in Shepherdstown. It’s such an amazing festival you’ve created and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to say a proper farewell to you after the reading, but I’ll see you in July, so it’s only a brief farewell. I thought the reading was very solid, and all the actors seem to have a good initial grasp on the play. Let’s jump on the phone briefly sometime this week or next and I can share a couple small thoughts with you that might be of some use as you press forward. Thanks again! All best, Beau”

Today we break up into our individual rehearsals. Victor Lodato and I will continue our work on DEAR SARA JANE with the talented Joey Parsons. Michael Weller will work with the cast of FIFTY WORDS in a four hour “table work” read-thru. Eisa Davis will work with Liesl Tommy and the cast of THE HISTORY OF LIGHT. Liesl will have a four hour rehearsal with the cast of YANKEE TAVERN… Steven Dietz will join us next week to work with the cast. And I will have a four hour “table work” read-thru with the cast of FARRAGUT NORTH.

The rehearsal process has begun…A rotating Repertory of FIVE new American plays.

Ed Herendeen