Today’s Date: Saturday June 27, 2026
Show title: The Tragedy Of Antony & Cleopatra
Director: Mili Koncelik
Staff Crew: Analise Toone, Topher Zane (RDAs), Julia Hill, John Spellman (interns)
What we did
Text work (3.6-4.9)
We began by discussing the performance of Our Town we saw last night at the Blackfriars Playhouse (what they noticed about it, what they liked, etc.). We then did a quick game of East Enders before circling up to continue text work starting at 3.6. Mili began by explaining casting changes for those receiving them. While going through the scenes, she had the actors read the original text and then had them explain what the character just said so they understand what it means. We went up through 3.11 before a brief break; afterwards started at 3.12.
Quick and Quotable
- From the play: “It is my birthday. I had thought t’have held it poor, but since my lord is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.” (3.13)
- From the director: “You are Egypt. Period.” Mili
- From the cast: Kit: “I’m going to give my horses and men to Caesar. Mili: “Damn.” in response to that honest translation of Canidius’ line “To Caesar I will render my legions..” (3.10)
Production Insights
I arrived at rehearsal excited to see what the actors will bring to their characters today. Through observation, I saw how reading the text then talking through in modern language helped everyone understand the play more. Often when I am working with a difficult text, I break it up over several days and make sense of it so I, as the actor, know what I’m saying as my character before the character enters the chat and replaces me as the actor. If you as the actor and you as the character are on the same page, it makes performances so much clearer. By having actors read a portion of the text then go back and explain what happened in modern language, it helps these young actors understand these complex people. I’ve learned this method can be helpful and am seeing it in action in the A&C room so far.