At every rehearsal I am guided by Emily Trimble, a force we call “The Stage Manager!”
Monday: Like every night so far in rehearsals, La’ Tevin Alexander transforms into Cassius Clay.
We’re rehearsing with Co-Director Jerry Foster, Artistic Director of PassinArt Theatre Company. As we work the scenes, I find it amazing that the actors and two directors discover a rhythm that encourages all voices in this process. Wanda Walden, our brilliant costumer, is watching the action to time quick changes.
Eddie, played by Charles Grant, reads the newspaper headlines about Emmett Till and the room is silent, respectful, and moved. Wanda hands me a book, Free at Last: A History of the Civil Rights Movement And Those Who Died in the Struggle. Emmett Till’s image is one of the photos on the cover. It reminds me of how important this show is to all of us.
Later, the room erupts with big belly laughs at Gerrin Mitchell’s neighborhood bully, Corky Baker, and Johnny Crawford’s Rudy Clay. I leave rehearsal knowing that I will not be able to sleep because I am so excited by the talented, generous, loving people that I have the pleasure to work with.
Tuesday: I watch Golden Gloves champion Damaris Webb stage the third round of the 1960 Olympic light heavyweight bout between Cassius Clay and Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, played by Sten Eikrem. Prior to the rehearsal period, all three have been training together with Molly at Molly McConnell’s Boxing and with Stan Dunn at The Knott Street Boxing Club. We watch a YouTube video of the original fight. Sten, a right hander, has been training as a southpaw. La’ Tevin has become a master of Clay’s style, watching fight after fight. The energy in the room is palpable! The final fight will be incredible. Great work. Again, hard to sleep.
Wednesday: Lots of rehearsal conflicts tonight. We’re working with Eric L. Island (who plays Cassius’s father) and La’ Tevin on a couple of scenes, trying to find the right balance in the father/son relationship. I am impressed by Eric’s work ethic as he wants to repeat scenes to perfection. Speaking of work ethic, Jared Mack, who plays Joe Martin, arrives an hour before he’s called. He is there to work a 30-second scene. These actors are dedicated to greatness. Sleep? Nope. Too excited.
Thursday: Everyone is in the room as we stagger through the show. Damaris, who also plays Cassius’s mom Odessa, garners the first big laugh for scolding Cassius and his brother for running around in their Sunday clothes. There are too many great things happening in this rehearsal to reflect them on this page! Staying up late.
Friday: Rest day! Already looking forward to next Monday’s rehearsal. I love this group of people so much!
STAN FOOTE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, OREGON CHILDREN’S THEATRE
Oregon Children’s Theatre’s And in This Corner: Cassius Clay ticket and schedule information here.
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