Past meets future in the present: Self-reflection as a rehearsal method in Albertine in Five Times

Abstract

In rehearsal of Michel Tremblay’s play, the impact of self-reflection on personalization and characterization of the actresses in Albertine in Five Times was assessed through quantitative and qualitative methods. In a sample of freshmen and juniors majoring in Theatre/Communications and Theatre, actresses reflected on and characterization by writing a letter to self, journaling, and sharing in a verbal check-in before rehearsal. The hypothesis that written reflection on personalization and characterization would have a greater impact than the daily verbal check-in was rejected. The daily verbal check-in was perceived to have a significant impact on personalization and characterization of Theatre/Communications majors and freshmen more than journaling or writing letters to self. Juniors perceived that all three methods of self-reflection impacted personalization and characterization. The actresses perceived that the daily verbal check-in enhanced awareness of the cast as an ensemble. Self-reflection encouraged the actresses to become aware of the interaction between personalization and characterization. Written and verbal self-reflection unified the stages of Albertine’s life into a cohesive whole in Albertine in Five Times.

Keywords

• reflection
• education
• performance
• rehearsal
• ignatian
• pedagogy
• foreignness in the arts