Camaraderie

As mentioned in my previous entry, I am currently working on a production of Henry V which is being produced by St. Louis Shakespeare. This is a great STL based company that produces yearly seasons chock full of a wide variety of plays, ranging from Shakespearean classics to modernized versions of beloved tales.

Tonight at rehearsal, funnily enough, we had just begun work on Act III. Now, the first scene of Act III is the "Unce more unto the breach..." scene. This is another of the most famous speeches from any of Shakespeare's histories.

One of the fundamental parts of this speech is the idea of camaraderie. Henry is rousing his closest companions, he is rousing his soldiers, and in a way his is rousing himself. The battle is still theirs for the taking, and they need to take it. The most important word here being "They". This group of men, this band of brothers as Shakespeare later refers to them, represents something more. Together they represent England. They represent their homes and their families. They are fighting beside the King to protect their very livelihoods. They are fighting for what they most believe in, in the world and without each other they would fall. Without this bond created and strengthened by Henry in this moment, they would fail.

Tonight at rehearsal I noticed that the cast of Henry V was becoming this very band of brothers. Sure, some of us are working for the French. Some of us are soldiers or drunks or yeomen. And some of us are even royalty. But beyond all that, beyond our characters we are artists, a company of artists that have together to bring this play to life.

Camaraderie is surrounding us. Each time one of us finds a new way to deliver a line, there is a reaction of support around the room. Each time a scene is put on to its feet and a distant shape is seen for the first time there is a feeling of being let in on the master plan. From the moment we step into the rehearsal space, there is a change. No longer are we just actors...we are a cast. We are a support system for each other.

Many members of the cast know each other from previous shows they have worked on, or even just viewed from the audience. So as one person enters the room, another rises and hugs or handshakes are traded. And even for those of us who are new to the entire experience there is a strong sense of welcome, as if an invitation has been sent out. People say hello, ask your name, wave to you when you enter the room, laugh with you when you enter early or read a line incorrectly, and might even give you a nickname like pumpkin.

That's the great thing about this experience so far. After only a few short weeks of rehearsals we can already celebrate each other's triumphs. We can collaborate on a scene, talking about how to make it the best possible. We can pass ideas back and forth. We can create together. I'm proud to be a part of a group of people coming together and forming a community.