BWW Blog: Eliza Porsella - Fun, Stress and Nerve-Racking

Just as I predicted, we were called for a special rehearsal of the Duloc number the day after chorus ended. We learned almost all of the second half of the number. The next day, at our weekly rehearsal, we practiced the Duloc number again while blocking the show. When we tried, everything we had learned in the morning practice had gone out the window. We remembered the steps, we just couldn't remember the order. It didn't help that the girl playing Lord Farquaad was absent. She yells out words like "Boom!" "Bam!" "Pow!" Each word has a step happening at the same time. The words help us remember when each step happens and which step we have to do.

We blocked through the first eight scenes after we practiced each musical number. Some kids were talking backstage so they had to sit in the audience while the teachers watched them.

We finally started the tap number with Princess Fiona, tap dancing rats in top hats and tailcoats and me, the Pied Piper. I have a short tap so I'm happy. I was corrected by the choreographer because I was dancing too well. She reminded me that the Pied Piper learns how to tap in this number so I have to start off poorly and then excel at tapping by the end. I think I will start the number by looking at my feet and stumbling but then a few steps later I will be able to tap. The choreographer thinks this is a good idea.

We always end each rehearsal by getting into circle and joining hands. This includes our principal, music teacher, and our backstage director. We go around the circle and each say one word that describes the practice. I said the word "exciting" because I couldn't think of anything else to say. Next week I plan to say "nerve-racking." People often say fun, acting and loud. I heard the word "stressful" several times but I've never heard anyone say nerve racking so I think it's a good choice.

I think practice is nerve racking because I'm always afraid I'm going to forget the steps in the Duloc number. Next week we're running the second act and I really have to listen the song "The Morning Girl" because my cue to enter is during that song but it's after a line she says several times so what if I come out too early or late?

Then we all hold raise our hands up and the Principal says "Who has the best cast?" And we all scream "Shrek!" It's a pretty fun way to end practice.