Erica N.'s response to "The Fourth"

Affirmations:

First of all, I just want to repeat that I really love these characters and the relationships you've set up among them Robert. I remember working on this piece last year in our directing group and realizing how nuanced and heartfelt the feelings between the characters in that world are. It's nice to see that develop and deepen even as you try lots of different plot choices.

I think it's great that both days of class were so much fun to participate in - both because, well, we all like to have fun, and because I think our experience of having a good time while grappling with serious questions mirrors the general feeling and tone of the play.

I loved that on the second day, we worked with Mia/Henry and Jessica/Henry relationships. I think it's really smart that as you do your thinking about the exact nature of Adrian and Conner's relationship you are letting ideas about other connections permeate your work - I think this is a good way to begin to set up parallels and juxtapositions that can really pay off.

I also really love the ways you've started to use text messaging as a kind of hyper-reality, rather than just a way to forward the plot. Can't wait to see more of this!

Questions:

I was surprised to see Jessica flirting with Henry. They've never interacted in earlier drafts - I'd like to know more about why she's interested in him - does she remember him from when they were young? Are they meeting for the first time? I like that there's interaction there - I'm just looking forward to knowing more about it.

What does Adrian like about Conner? I know how Conner makes him feel, but I don't know why.

Is there any sense of being trapped in this neighborhood? I know Mia had that one speech about getting out - I guess I'm interested in the tension between the comfort and seeming stability of this place and the fact that their lives and desires can feel bounded by the place they live.

Do they all live with their parents?


Opinions:

I love Seth - I hope you don't cut him.

It's going to take a certain pair of actors to carry off the sexualized banter between Adrian and Mia - I don't want to say be careful, but just keep you ear/eye open as you continue to revise to make sure that the women in this play don't fall into a few of the stereotypes that they are most of the time *consciously and ironically* playing with.

Overall great work in the sessions - it was fun to be a part of and seemed really well-organized to give you information you needed.