bottle episode
Who I played
what i learned
How i grew
In my production of my play, Bottle Episode, I played Raina, one of the four main characters trapped in a sitcom. Raina, Richard's girlfriend, is a sweet, pretty homemaker-- until she realizes all of that is a lie.
I learned how to be scrutinizing of my own words as a playwright and actor. Since I wrote the script, if one of my lines felt strange, I could simply adjust it. However, I learned not to use that as a crutch, and I was able to discern whether strange lines were a writing issue or an acting issue. By the end, if I was unsure about a beat, I didn't jump to changing it; instead, I was able to think critically and see how I could make adjustments as an actor.
This was the first play that I acted in, wrote, and directed at the same time. It was a huge undertaking, and it gave me the chance to wear a lot of different hats at once. Learning how to switch between being my own playwright, director, actor, and dramaturg improved the way I work under pressure and think on my feet, and I believe the lessons that this massive responsibility taught me will aid me in all aspects of my theatre career for years to come.