Out of all the scenes in Romeo and Juliet, I particularly enjoy rehearsing the crypt scene. They are usually scheduled at the very end of the rehearsal day, when we are the most tired, but in a way that's a good thing because it is the least physically demanding. For the first half, if not more, Juliet just lies there as if dead (of course, she's really just in a sort of temporary coma, but her body remains without life). It's extremely bizarre to lie there stiff and motionless unless lifted, pulled, or hugged by Romeo. My eyes are closed so I can't predict when Rick will hold my hand or squeeze me - yet despite lacking that particular sense, I can feel Rick's intensity in every other way. While it is weird to not be able to react to his embraces and tugs, the emotional tension in his body fuels and helps me to mentally prepare and "awaken" as Juliet. Her emotions run the gamut in that scene: waking terrified by being in a crypt, total shock and sadness when practically stumbling upon Paris' dead body, complete, almost giddy, happiness from finding Romeo's cape, and then finally to horrific and utter despair upon finding Romeo dead - recently poisoned by his own hand. Juliet screams, cries, convulses - she's hysterically sad and even frustrated Romeo didn't leave her poison. She is so distraught that when she sees Romeo's scabbard and dagger she runs to it like an animal and immediately, without a second thought, she stabs herself in her stomach. This scene is very draining -but since it is the ultimate culmination of Romeo and Juliet's struggle for love, I feel a sense of closure and satisfaction when it's over.
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