The Playhouse Blog: An Actor's Perspective

July 21, 2012

By Marc Kudisch

“Tartuffe” in Tartuffe

PREVIEWS!

I love a first preview, every time......Not a gypsy run for the theatrical community full of friends and people on the inside, no, a real first paying audience. It's the most honest performance you will ever give, because you truly have no real preconception of how the audience will react.

You focus on the play and learn more in one night than you have probably learned through the entire rehearsal period before it. Not that it's ever going to be your best performance, no, no, from here it only gets better (if you're truly listening). But it's the part of the process where you meet your final cast member, the audience, and complete the circle of the conversation.

We have now had three previews; it's a thrill listening to the audience allow themselves to become involved, to take sides with the characters, to gasp at whatever comes next. Such a great cast, everyone is so committed to character and story without giving in to the temptation of comment or wink to the audience. No need for it; trust in Moliere and ride the wave......