Yesterday we spent several hours working on choreographing our swordfights for Romeo and Juliet. James Brownlee, who plays my nemesis Capulet, was tremendous in scripting our duels as well as covering safety issues. So many people on stage with so many swords can get a little stabby at times. I am drilling on my duel daily, committing the moves to muscle memory. As James points out, there is no room in stage combat for improvisation. If we start winging anything people are going to get hurt.

I’ve got a few aches today from the rehearsal, but they aren’t from the swordplay. I stood in for Balthazar while James choreographed a riot of wrestling and tumbling among the servants. I don’t know how many times we kicked, grappled and fell during the day, but I’m feeling it now, but it’s a good kind of hurt. I can’t wait to get on stage and do this in front of an audience.

Last night was my first acting class of 2007. Monday nights for the next 10 weeks I’ll be at Two Chairs Studio with Van Brooks. I won’t disclose what we do in class, but I spent most of 2006 working with Van and enjoyed some breakthroughs. I’ve missed my fellow students/actors and can’t wait to get back to work with them. I also signed up for a 10 week “Samurai” workshop at… are you ready for this… 7:00 – 9:00 am on Wednesdays! This is also held at Two Chairs and is a program developed by Dan Fauci. It’s been very influential so far and I like being pushed out of my comfort zone and being accountable for getting things done. It feels great to get back in the classroom after the holiday break.