Sunday, November 29, 2009

Moving On

It's hard for me to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone and that November is nearly over. Together with my roommates we had 15 people in our house for dinner and another 6-8 that dropped by for leftovers later, bringing our grand Thanksgiving day total to around 25. It's not the first time I've cooked a holiday meal for that many, but every year I get nervous. There's so much riding on the turkey. I'm told it came out well ( I don't eat Turkey, not because I'm a vegetarian, I just don't really like it all that much). It was a great day though. The majority of people in our house were in some way affiliated with Theatre Unleashed. What's amazing is that this group of people is not just a theatre company, we are a family, we do come together to celebrate holidays and have a good time together. Thursday we ate, we drank (some drank way more than others ;), we played games and had a great time. It was truly what Thanksgiving should always be like.

Yesterday my roommates and I put up the Christmas Tree and decorated our house for Christmas. It's funny, when it's close to 70 degrees outside it's really difficult to convince yourself that it's Christmas time. Decorating helps, so does listening to the 24 hour a day Christmas station, but it is odd, no cold weather, no snow, just sun and palm trees. Nevertheless we are decorated and it is nearly December.

The calendars fast approach towards December also means the approach of my onstage debut with Theatre Unleashed. We had our final rehearsal today before our dress rehearsal on Tuesday night. The lines are there and I guess I'm having fun, but I still don't think I really get it. I feel bad, so many of my friends, this is their passion, this is what they love and I'm just not feeling it. I wish I was, I wish I could understand and feel that buzz that they feel, but it's not there yet. Three more days to opening, maybe that's when it will kick in!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Lasts

I have really come to dislike closing nights. I get attached to shows and casts. For me closing night truly becomes a night of lasts. The last time we'll put the set on stage, the last time I'll give a 10 minute warning for this show, the last time we'll hear the opening playlist, the last time we'll hear this dialogue and most importantly the last time this particular group of people will be in this spot to do this exact thing.

It's hard to say goodbye to something that is inanimate but yet does possess a life of its' own. Every show is a journey. Each one is different and just as amazing as the ones that came before and the ones that will happen after. As artists we each take one or two things from each show some take literally take things, props, clothing, others take bits of things they've learned, moments they have shared. We take these things and move on to the next production. At the end of the journey you are able to say goodbye to the people, but never really to the show. Within an hour the set is gone, the props are packed, the stage is bare. It's as if we were never there as if it didn't happen. You have to remind yourself that it did happen, that these moments were special, that what we created was unique.

I was truly honored to work this talented cast not only as their stage manager but as the assistant director. Watching Jake, the director, work was a fantastic learning experience for me. He helped me discover that directing is something I want to explore more in the future. He was a fantastic teacher and I'm thrilled to have been able to work with him.

As I transition from SM to actor for our next show I find that I still can't quite get excited about it. Maybe that's because I'm forcing myself to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. Everyone keeps telling me I'll love it, that I'll want to do it again. I'm still not convinced, maybe after tech and opening next week I'll change my mind. I'm happy to do it and at least say I tried it, but I'm not sure that's where I really want to be!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

A Break -- Kind of!

So it's been over a week. Halloween has come and gone. Our Halloween party was a true success. I would share some photos, but I believe the phrase "what happens in the theatre, stays in the theatre" probably applies in this case!

I am enjoying a bit of a break. Last week was my first week with no rehearsals since July. Yes, I think I'm a bit crazy. July -- that was four months ago. Anyway I really don't quite know what to do with myself. Being home at night is a little odd. My roommates realized I still live in my house and my two cats seem to refuse to leave my side. Perhaps a sign I have been neglecting other aspects of life for a bit too long.

Our current show Landscaping The Den of Saints is still running. We have two weeks left. Sadly audience turn out has been relatively low for this one. It's a fantastic show and I hope more people come out and enjoy it during the last two weekends of the run. We are going to a complete Pay What You Can philosophy in hopes that more people will be able to afford to come.

In my last post I mentioned that I had accepted a role in our holiday production, Holiday Hangover. I still can't believe I agreed to this. My first rehearsal was this past Sunday. I am nearly off book (It's only 3 pages of dialogue which I share with 2 other people). Rehearsal was fun, primarily blocking. It was hard not to switch into SM mode and begin taking down blocking notes for everyone as well as making a preliminary prop list. I will do my best to stay in my new role as actor for this one and let my SM be the SM. It will not be easy, but I do believe this will prove to be an interesting learning experience for me :)