Hamlet and friends out on the town. Photo credit: Thomas MarlowActors Reflect on Preparation as Hamlet Tickets Go on Sale
Hamlet and friends out on the town. Photo credit: Thomas Marlow
It's the world's greatest play in a gritty, rock-driven production from the company critics call one of “the hidden treasures of Chicago's theatre scene.” (Click here for tickets). As Polarity Ensemble Theatre prepares for Hamlet (May 23 - June 15), Travis Gauchay interviewed some of the cast members for this report:
Everyone has attended a play or musical where the actors did exactly what they were supposed to do: transport you to the world they created in such a seamless fashion that, inevitably, you want more as soon as the house lights come up.
In the case of an actor, it’s all in the homework. In this case, homework is the rehearsal process. This is where ideas are bandied about amongst all the artists, all attempting discovery of that world. What makes all this interesting is how the rehearsal process is approached by the actor. Do they crave structure? Is it more free-spirited and organic? Or is it a mix of both? In talking to several cast members of Hamlet, it’s a little routine coupled with some “take-it-as-it-comes.”
For Alex Reimers, who plays Rosencrantz, he’s more from the old school. “My rehearsal process is more along the lines of a traditional approach,” he said. He says associating the asking of questions with his actual lines aids his process greatly. Questions such as: What’s the character doing now? What did he do before? “Once you ask those questions,” Alex said, “the lines memorize themselves.”
Laura Sturm, who plays Queen Gertrude, takes a scholarly approach. "I read everything I can about the show, particulary focusing on my character. Essays, criticism of the play, notes about choices other actors playing the role have made, even fictional novels about the character or the time period. It helps me find the depth and fully understand the world of my character, and gives me the options to make my own choices. And I just enjoy it."
For others, some additional written work assists their flow. Ben Kass, a musician in the band, first likes to read the play two or three times, thereby getting a feel for the flow of the play. After the reading, that’s when his writing technique is applied. “To learn my lines I’ll write out the whole scene,” Ben said. And in the case of Hamlet, bass lines are more of the norm for the time being for him. Nonetheless when acting, Ben will tape his particular scenes with a recording device and then listen to that several times for repetition and memorization purposes.
You also have the school of thought that some solitude does a body good. This is case for Ky Rankin, playing Ophelia's Handmaiden. “Basically, what I do is spend some alone time to get to know my character better,” she said.
Sometimes you’re prepared the second you walk in the door. Talk to Summer Widhalm about that. She plays Horatio. “Because of my day job, I come straight to rehearsal,” she said. “I have to be able to walk in the door and be ready.” She also brings various snacks to nosh during breaks since there’s no time for a dinner break.
Caitlin McGlone, one of the lead singers in the band, has done a lot of rock and roll research for her rockin’ role, citing Janis Joplin as an influence. Since Caitlin herself has never been in a band, she’s studied a lot of how a band performs and the mechanics that goes into such a performance.
Caitlin is also a perfect example of mixing routine with free flow. “Every single show has a different routine.” And it’s that routine which gives way to the varied worlds we’re all transferred to when watching some magic happen onstage.
Tickets for Hamlet are now available online at Ticketmaster, or by calling 312.559.1212 or in person at the Athenaeum box office, 3pm-7pm daily. General admission, $20; May 23rd preview performance $10; students and seniors with ID, $15; industry with H/R $10 Thurs/Sun, $15 Fri/Sat. Join us for a post-show party opening night, May 24th! We also invite advertisers in our program.
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