What to do...

I don't think I've mentioned the show I'm currently working on.

I am lucky enough to be cast in Shakespeare's Scottish Play - (Macbeth) - as the character Ross. Ross can be summed up by one word: Messenger. But he is so much more than that.

True: Ross is the bearer of news. Maybe it would be better to use reporter. Either way, my director has described him as the glue of the show. Glue of the show. Wow. Sounds pretty important.


Out of all the acting experience I have, I have never done a Shakespearean show that is so high-profile, or so beloved by so many. I truly do mean I feel lucky to be cast in such a play. And in a role that it seems is so integral to the plot.

So, tonight, we worked on a couple "party" scenes, if you will. Both have Ross as background action. One scene is pretty early on and is a key scene in that it shows the mind of the titular character as elements of his plans come into place. Ross, being one of the lords in this society, is in attendance, mingling with the king, his sons, and other lords. He doesn't do much but help the scene look full. However, I was at a complete loss for how he would move/interact/mingle. This will probably be my most challenging scene to integrate.

Ross is, without a doubt, a social butterfly in the fact that he likes to know what is going on and is not afraid, necessarily, to ask the questions no one else will. He thinks out loud. He is careful, but sometimes his curiosity gets the better of him. Ross is loyal. Well, all the lords (Thanes) are loyal... to a point.

But I have no clue what to do with him in those scenes.

The later scene, there is definite stimulus to react to. But there is surely a mystery to how and what he responds to. Is he more in tune to the violent mood swings? Is he alerted to the goings on by his fellow Thanes? Does his curiosity get the better of him, or does he stay in reserve? I know how I would react: my curiosity would most definitely be piqued, but I would be able to keep it reigned in enough that I could observe to answer those questions most on my mind. Ross... wouldn't.

Ross would want to know why. He would want to know how. When. Who. Even what. I think that is what eventually leads him to discovering what and how things have gone so wrong in this country. His country.

With that knowledge, I can see how he would/could be considered the glue of the show. I've still got time to get things figured. But my inner Ross is not being patient. He wants to know now. He's asking the questions.... I just haven't found the answers yet. Or had the right conversations to unlock that golden nugget.

But it will come.