Friday afternoon. July 30. Alexi S. sits in the library. This is his third year and his fourth session as a YCTC camper, having participated in both sessions this summer. He has been cast as Octavius Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra Part 1.
What has been surprising for you during the rehearsal process?
Well, we have two directors for this one. We started with James Keegan, and he was a little intimidating since he is such a great actor. Then his son Thomas came in and he had a different focus. There was a shift in perspective; it was something new when Thomas came in.
What have you learned?
I really liked the combat workshops that we’ve done. It’s good to be reminded that it doesn’t have to be real. What you are going for is an interesting fight, not a real fight. For the stage, you also do the fight at 75%, it’s never at full speed.
What had been your favorite part of camp?
“What You Will” was amazing. I was in a scene from Cyrano de Bergerac, and I put together a scene from 1 Henry IV setting it as if it was a western gun shoot out. Other people had really good scenes and monologues too.
What has been different about camp that you like this year?
The size of my part. It’s a different experience when you have a lot of lines. There’s more work with more to work on. Also, a lot of people have been very diligent with lines. They have been really focused with lines and intensive character work; to make these shows the best they can be.
Any favorite quotes or moments?
This was during a rehearsal for my “What You Will” 1 Henry IV scene. “If Falstaff was a cowboy, he would wear a hat like this.”
Alexi is essentially the resident Shakespeare scholar of the camp. He said, “It’s a good feeling when people turn to me to get information. Yet, there’s always stuff to learn from other people which is exciting.”
Darielle Shandler
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