When I was in university I went to see one of my friends in
a stage play. In one scene, she was part of a crowd of villagers
who murmured amongst themselves while the leads spoke in full voice downstage.
The rabble sounded perfect: not too loud or soft, totally convincing.
"What do you guys say to one another during the crowd
scenes?" I asked my friend after the show.
" 'Peas and carrots, rutabaga,' " she said.
"We say it over and over in varying rhythms and emphases. The mix of
vowels makes it sound real, yet indecipherable."
[OK, this is the fruit guy. The vegetable guy went home early. Photo by ES]
Right there, I realized a critical aspect of writing for the
stage vs. writing for the page: On the page, no word can be there for the sake
of effect alone. Every one must play a role in the whole. That's it.
Speaking of writing for the page, I'd like to give a plug to
a new educational venture in central Florida, The Writer's Atelier: www.writersatelier.com The founder,
Racquel Henry, is determined to help writers!
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