Wren, Anna Caroline, Jules, Janet, and Mariana watch as Everett and Marcy practice opening the trap with Jake.

Today’s Date: June 24th, 2025

Show Title: 1 Henry VI

Director: Hailey Pearce

Staff Crew: Emerson Helmbrecht and Topher Zane (RDAs); Alexa Palena and Analise Toone (Interns)

What we did

We started with a five-minute meditation to lock in and focus for the rest of rehearsal. After this, we had the ambitious plan to finish blocking the play. We started by finishing up the last bit of Act 4, including a very tear-jerking moment between the Talbots. Topher and I broke off to work intimacy between Margaret (Janet) and Suffolk (Serenity), which we successfully worked through. After this, we moved into Act 5. We started with a quick scene featuring my favorite little character, Legate (Chiara), who brings news from the Pope. What took most of our time today was blocking the beast of a scene called 5.2. This scene features demons, fights, captures, and wooing. As expected, we spent a long time fine-tuning, especially since this scene required the trap. We made sure to create an epic but safe entrance from Hell (I bet you can guess who is entering and exiting through Hell). 

Quick and Quotable

• From the play: “Now help, ye charming spells and periapts.” -Joan

• From the staff: 

• • “Do you know who you want to be married to? God.” -Hailey 

• • “Summon demons on your own time” -Hailey

Production Insights 

REPRETORY IS HARD, Y’ALL. I’m only going to less than half the activities the campers are going to, and I am exhausted. The campers are working twice as hard as they would normally be, so it can be clear in rehearsal when the campers have hit a bit of a wall. Thankfully, we have a fun day at the pool, checking out, and a movie night tomorrow, followed by a day of no rehearsals and only workshops on Thursday. This two-day break will do wonders to get the campers rested and refreshed to finish blocking and hopefully run Acts 3-5 on Friday!