My Life as Edna - Part III - "Edna moves in slowly"

Shortly after the first reading and my nerves settled because of cast response to lines she has, my mind began to look into the future. Transforming Wayne into a woman was now a reality and the physical aspects of the transformation were consuming my thoughts as an actor. I found myself worried that Edna would become cartoon like and I knew Edna could not be a cartoon.

So my focus changed to developing Edna's character to "fool" the audience into at least considering the idea that I was a woman. Though I was aware that anyone who knew the show at all would never subscribe to the idea, I challenged me to work hard to create, for those who did not know Edna, a question for them to answer as they watched the show. How exactly to do that drove Edna into becoming more of a real woman rather than a very effeminate actor trying to be her.I also solicited guidance from the likes of Kim, Nichole, Sandi, Lyssa, Amy, Emily, Kalyea, and other women in regards to how to act like one. I took "Bitch Snap" lessons from Amy and Emily, as well as learned the correct way to stand, (one food behind the other, curtsy, take my bow and sit like a woman from all of them. It was exhausting and very confusing for a man who thought he knew, but found out quickly he was lost. Something tells me all of my helpers loved teaching me.

As I designed the plan to have Edna move in, I knew immediately that physical appearance alone was not going to compensate for those who looked at Edna and wondered, so I set my sights on Wilbur and our interactions.

David was the absolute perfect Wilbur for me. Almost as if divine intervention had saved me from dealing with the uneasiness of acting with a stranger, he was there as Wilbur and trust me, I was very thankful. I am not even sure if we, at any time, approached the idea that either of us would need time to not feel uncomfortable, I remember only that I knew we would have great fun with these parts..

We began the rehearsals and Edna, gingerly and slowly, moved in. At first with subtle innuendo, easing herself into "my person" with great care so as not to become too animated. I knew, for the audience to enjoy her, she had to be real. My feeling was that anyone could be way over the top with her and make her "Cross Dresser like", but Edna needed to be a wife, a mother and a real woman more than a composite of what a man thinks a woman is.

As we moved forward, I knew the day, I dreaded and looked forward to, was approaching quickly. Wayne was about to appear in a dress and other female attire..

Part IV to follow soon....