Too Much Light

Annabel: What’s that?

What?

Annabel: That, in your hand.

Gee, I never noticed it before. You want it?

Annabel: Well isn't it yours?

Yeah, but you can have it.

Annabel: No, I wouldn't want to take something away from you…

No, I’m sure there is plenty for both of us. Go ahead.

Annabel: No, I can’t it doesnt belong to me.

Sure it does

Annabel: It does?

Well, no it doesnt belong to you, but its your right to have it

Annabel: It is?

Especially you. Go ahead

Annabel: Whats in your other hand?

Oh. A hammer.

Annabel: Whats it for?

Dont worry about it. Go ahead, take it. Its yours.

Annabel: You were going to hit me with that hammer

No, there are laws to protect against that kind of thing.

Annabel: So you wont hit me?

Go ahead, its yours.

Annabel: And you won’t hit me?

Try me.

Annabel: But that’s rightfully mine?

Yes

Annabel: And I deserve it.

Yes

Annabel: What about the hammer?

Oh, thats mine

Annable: Can I have it?

No. I said it was mine.

Annabel: What if i take it away from you and beat the heck out of you with it?

That would be wrong.

Annabel: But thats mine.

Yes

Annabel: What’s the hammer for?

To protect you

Number 13: Its a Breeze

Hi!

Maggie: And white.

Not only that, but we’re young.

Hana: Yup, we can do anything we want to.

We can go anywhere we please.

Lilah: WE can be the head of the household

We can run large corporations

Hana: Like Mayor

Or senate

Hana: Or black

Or queer

Lilah: You know, the other day, I hired one of us for a job

I just wrote a book about one us

Hana: Who are you going to vote for in the next election?

One of us!

Lilah: You know, lifes a breeze for us. We can do anything we want to, because

We’re young, we’re white, we’re straight, and we’re male.

Number 19: Hair Director

Okay, lets just start by reading the play. Go ahead and read the script.

Hana: Im glad to hear it

Okay, thats a start. Do you think you guys can get that memorized?

Hana: Im glad to hear it

Great. I think the operative is ‘glad’ Hana- im glad to hear it

Hana: Im glad to hear it

So lets talk subtext here. What do you think each of the character is really expressing in their lines? Hana?

Hana: I think im saying im interested in her and showing that I want her to feel good.

I question your script analysis there Hana. What about the contraction?

Hana: The contraction?

You use the contraction Im instead of I am. You’re obviously in a lot of pain.

Hana: Pain?

If you had the luxury to say I am glad to hear it you would, but instead you use I’m. I’m glad to hear it

Hana: I see. So I’m in great pain.

Like you’ve just been stabbed repeatedly in the stomach…or something. That’s up to you to decide. That’s the actors job. And Annabel, what do you think?

Annabel: Well, I think im saying that I’m feeling just fine.

Exactly. Good analysis Annabel. So let’s try this again—with the subtext this time. Go!

Hana: I’m… glad… to hear it

That was great Annabel. A little more pain next time Hana. I need to see where the physical pain ends and the psychological pain begins. Makes a strong decision. Now I think its important that we show that these characters are a foil for each other, but through similarity. I want to do this vocally. Is there a way you two could match the tone of your voices?

Hana: (2nd) I talk like this.

Its a little higher Hana

Hana: (3rd) I talk like this

No, higher

Hana: (5th) I talk like this.

Thats good Annabel. Its a little higher Hana. And with the lines?

Hana: I’m glad to hear it.

A little higher Hana, and dont forget the pain. Great adjustment Annabel. In terms of blocking I picture Annabel center stage… right where you are. And Hana, I think you’re the active agent in the scene, so you should be moving across the stage with lines.

Hana: Across the stage?

Yeah, lets try that. And Go!

Hana: I’m…. glad… to hear it.

Great Annabel. Hana, I’m really not buying the pain. I need to see where it is specifically. Perhaps move it around your body, but specifically. And make a full entrance and exit all the way offstage. And in terms of lighting… could I get a spotligt for Annabel center? And for Hana… oh, I think shes just fine. And everyone ready? Go!

Hana: I’m glad to hear it.

Okay, first, that was tremendous Annabel. And Hana… well… you’re just doing the best you can. So let’s do it one more time. Hana remember not to drop the voice, much more pain, be specific, and you should add the giddy laughter.

Hana: The giddy laughter?

Right. Everyone ready? And Go!

Hana: I’m glad to hear it.

That was just brilliant! Thank you. Curtain!