We asked DSF’s Puck, Griffin Stanton-Ameisen, to share his thoughts on the first week of rehearsals for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Griffin played Antigonus last year in The Winter’s Tale and is looking forward to not having to “Exit, pursued by a bear.”
It has been an absolute pleasure being back at DSF for my second summer and, coincidentally, to play Puck for the second time in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
I am a huge fan of table work, where the whole cast gets to sit around together and pick apart and define words, themes, relationships and so much more. At our table work it was great to hear people talk about their own roles, as well as other people’s. Having other people talk about your own role can really give you a different perspective, which can be extremely helpful.
For me, personally, it has been great to give Puck another go round. First, David has left a couple speeches in that were removed from the other production I did, and second, to be double cast as Egeus gives me a chance to do some fun character work. Over the course of rehearsal, with the help of the cast and David, I am really going to try and find different physicality and vocal quality for my two characters to help the story telling. A handful of other cast members have this same opportunity, and David has been pushing the importance of differentiation for the various “worlds” that exist in Midsummer. And so far, everyone is enjoying and striving for that. I look forward how we progress over the next few weeks.
