Fireworks and Hurricanes
It's late this cold fall night and I'm finding it difficult to sleep. In part because the triple tall Americano coffee I had earlier this evening is kicking my ass, but also in part because of the high (or stress?) of opening night for this show -- only one more week and a half! -- has my head spinning and reeling. I find my thoughts occupying little else.
Some notes of thought in regards to this production:
1. Meeting and bonding and establishing close friendships with new people is one of the loveliest parts of joining a cast. Through this entire rehearsal process the thing I've enjoyed most is my interaction with every one of my cast mates; they are an absolutely wonderful group of people.
2. Knowing that when the show is over and finished it may be possible that I may never see some of these people again or carry on any sort of lasting relationship is deeply saddening. For six weeks you get so close to these people whom you share such a wonderful process with and stress out with and overcome odds and obstacles with that the thought of leaving them is upsetting. I think that, above everything else, is what causes my "post-show-depression". I think anybody whose ever done a theatre show knows what I'm talking about.
3. Some of the most experienced actors can surprise you with their unprofessionalism. One member of my cast whose been doing this for sixteen years is still reading out of his play book and some of the delivery sounds like he's been reading it for the first time. We are less then ten rehearsals from going on stage!
4. Some of the most inexperienced cast members can surprise you with their professionalism and talent. We have French exchange student in the show who has performed on stage before (he's a great magician!) but never a play. Not only did he learn his lines before most people his expressions and delivery is superb for his level of experience. He has been a pleasure to work with.
5. Two dominant female personalities in one cast will always escalate to a final confrontation. ALWAYS!
6. In the beginning I had no trust for my director. I wasn't agreeing with her vision (though I never let her know that -- she's the director and it's hervision so I respect that) but after one run through about three weeks ago I saw that what she had us doing was working. From then on I began to slowly warm to her. We understand each other now so now it's actually very pleasant to work with her.
7. Coffee is rehearsal elixir.
8. Though in every way this is the cheapest production I have ever been involved in, starting with the fact that we don't actually have a theatrical facility in wich to work but instead have to put up with the choral rehearsal space to the fact that our set is comprised of one moderate platform stage, two small benches and a net, some very cool things are being done.
Apparently, a representative from some national college theatre acting association thing will be attending our Saturday night performance to nominate one of the actors for a nation award which involves monologue competition and such. I absolutely detest performing single monologues but it stands that I'm actually really good at them. When I was a senior in high school I participated in a monologue competition at WATA (did I spell that correctly?), the Washington state high school theatre association, and received the best marks there in five years. I want this nomination....
9. A documentary about the production of a college play is being produced and the director of the documentary is using our show. This is very cool as long as I don't have to see it. My ugly mug on screen is not very fitting. Seriously. It makes me look even more goofy and clumsy than I normal do. And believe me, I look pretty goofy and clumsy.
10. This is the best I've felt in a very long time because it feels right. There was a time when I almost gave up on the stage because it just doesn't suit my lifestyle anymore but I'm glad I didn't. Plainly and simply, I belong on the stage in front of people. My soul has never felt cleaner. I only wish the life I wish to live could include professional theatre but it doesn't. I want very much to stay grounded in one place and not have to bother with traveling all over to Hell and back to find work. I guess that's just the duality of my life.
Now, to introduce you to my castmates who've made this such a pleasure for me. I pondered briefly to make this post friend's only in case any of them stumbled on this journal but I have made a commitment to making this journal honest and public. I have a feeling some of the members from my cast have already found this journal anyway so if they have this is their invitation to tell me! I won't mind, really.
Dayna - One of the more talented members of the cast. In fact, among the women, I would venture to say that she has the most talent and commitment. She hasn't made it a strong point to get to know me as much as some of the other members of the cast but she may just be guarded like that. She's a little like me in that way. She's a very fun person to be with and speak to when she loosens up which led me to almost ask her out. Unfortunately, because, you know, fate hates me, the day I was going to ask her out I found out that she already had a date with some supposedly great guy. So I had to back off. And that, to put it bluntly, sucked a whole lot of ass.
Gary - When you think of being young Gary totally comes to mind. He's energetic and brash and interested in everything except what he's supposed to be doing. Of the entire cast I probably relate to him the least but we have football in common so at least we have conversation. He's genuine though, and I like that about him.
Guillaume - The Frenchy I spoke about earlier in this post (if you couldn't guess from his name). Guillaume has been a total delight to work with and I actually hope to do it again in the next show. He attractive in an almost unnatural way. He's attractive in such a way that all the women will comment on it to him and I think they don't even know how to really react to it. On top of it all, he has an amazing charm and charisma that even I love the guy. Every stereotype you may have of the gorgeous French lover is captured in him.
Janna - What can I say? Jana is one of the coolest people I have had the pleasure of getting to know in this cast. She's absolutely brimming with energy and puts it all into her work. Beyond that, she's very easy to just sit back and be yourself because she's so empty of judgment. Oddly enough, I actually have a lot in common with her and her boyfriend even if I do feel like the old man trying to be cool with her. She likes that about me, I think, so we have an interesting relationship.
Janalyn - One half of the dominant females I eluded to earlier. Janalynn is strong willed and wickedly pretty. She's also one of the more talented of the group of people in this show. Unfortunately, Janalynn and I rarely spoke with one another (because I have little in common with her) until recently when I began to understand where she was coming from a little bit. She's dedicated though, and I really like that in her.
Jet - In the beginning, I thought Jet was a pretty cool guy even if he did bother me with his stereotypical theatrical pretensions. He's the only one though, in the cast, that has as much theatrical experience as I do so it was nice having that to talk with him. As the rehearsal process went on however, he started asking more and more from me (rides, money etc.) and that started to bother me. Then he wouldn't learn his lines. He's the only one in this cast still on book and, from where I sit, it doesn't look like he's making much of an effort at learning them. I wish I could say it's been pleasant working with him, but at this point it really hasn't.
Judy - Judy is like the warm, comfortable grandmother of the show. She's been a joy to talk and rehearse with. Her dedication is outstanding which adds a nice touch of maturity to the production that I like. I've enjoyed our pre-rehearsal conversations.
Kristen - I have an odd but comfortable relationship with Kristen. She noticed right away the kind of confidence which can be misinterpreted as arrogance that I have on stage and called me on it in a teasing sort of way (such as our idea of changing the title of the play to "Daniel!" and having the poster be a pretentious art picture of me crucified on a cross like Jesus). I enjoy this type of friendship in people though so I'm quite comfortable in it. I have a self deprecating sort of sense of humor so I like to joke around with people at my own expense. I think I earned a certain amount of respect from her for that too. Amusingly, she's also stereotypically Mormon and always talks about how she wants to get married and pump out like 1098283 kids.
Michael - In the beginning I was worried about Michael because he never seemed to really pay attention to what he was reading. Of all the cast members, Michael may have the least amount of talent. However, Michael has worked his ass off on this show and it's really starting to show. Here it is, a little over a week before opening night, and Michael has really impressed me with his work. And he's a really nice guy to boot!
Michelle - The other half of the dominant women! She's also wickedly attractive (am I sensing a pattern here...?). Of everyone in the cast I'm probably closest to her. She's so nutty! The two of us clown around with each other more often than we probably should. If anything can be said about Michelle it's that she makes me laugh. And that can be very good sometimes because I have a tendency to get far too serious and then get pissed off and grouchy. SO thank you, Michelle! I can say with honesty that she has single handedly made this play a lot of fun for me.
So, yes, I have very much enjoyed the process of this production. I'm getting a little choked up as I type this knowing that in two weeks it will all be over. I feel lucky having this experience from such a long hiatus. I've been in shows before that I've just wanted to end. Not so with this one. Not so at all.
And one last plug for all you Seattle locals who read this blog. Come out and see the play, whether you've met me in real life or no! I don't even care if you lurk in this journal or not, still come to see it!
Information can be found here by clicking on the link titled "Theatre: Under Milk Wood". If you have any questions you can always comment here or email me using the contact information found on my bio. There is no excuse! See it!
Some notes of thought in regards to this production:
1. Meeting and bonding and establishing close friendships with new people is one of the loveliest parts of joining a cast. Through this entire rehearsal process the thing I've enjoyed most is my interaction with every one of my cast mates; they are an absolutely wonderful group of people.
2. Knowing that when the show is over and finished it may be possible that I may never see some of these people again or carry on any sort of lasting relationship is deeply saddening. For six weeks you get so close to these people whom you share such a wonderful process with and stress out with and overcome odds and obstacles with that the thought of leaving them is upsetting. I think that, above everything else, is what causes my "post-show-depression". I think anybody whose ever done a theatre show knows what I'm talking about.
3. Some of the most experienced actors can surprise you with their unprofessionalism. One member of my cast whose been doing this for sixteen years is still reading out of his play book and some of the delivery sounds like he's been reading it for the first time. We are less then ten rehearsals from going on stage!
4. Some of the most inexperienced cast members can surprise you with their professionalism and talent. We have French exchange student in the show who has performed on stage before (he's a great magician!) but never a play. Not only did he learn his lines before most people his expressions and delivery is superb for his level of experience. He has been a pleasure to work with.
5. Two dominant female personalities in one cast will always escalate to a final confrontation. ALWAYS!
6. In the beginning I had no trust for my director. I wasn't agreeing with her vision (though I never let her know that -- she's the director and it's hervision so I respect that) but after one run through about three weeks ago I saw that what she had us doing was working. From then on I began to slowly warm to her. We understand each other now so now it's actually very pleasant to work with her.
7. Coffee is rehearsal elixir.
8. Though in every way this is the cheapest production I have ever been involved in, starting with the fact that we don't actually have a theatrical facility in wich to work but instead have to put up with the choral rehearsal space to the fact that our set is comprised of one moderate platform stage, two small benches and a net, some very cool things are being done.
Apparently, a representative from some national college theatre acting association thing will be attending our Saturday night performance to nominate one of the actors for a nation award which involves monologue competition and such. I absolutely detest performing single monologues but it stands that I'm actually really good at them. When I was a senior in high school I participated in a monologue competition at WATA (did I spell that correctly?), the Washington state high school theatre association, and received the best marks there in five years. I want this nomination....
9. A documentary about the production of a college play is being produced and the director of the documentary is using our show. This is very cool as long as I don't have to see it. My ugly mug on screen is not very fitting. Seriously. It makes me look even more goofy and clumsy than I normal do. And believe me, I look pretty goofy and clumsy.
10. This is the best I've felt in a very long time because it feels right. There was a time when I almost gave up on the stage because it just doesn't suit my lifestyle anymore but I'm glad I didn't. Plainly and simply, I belong on the stage in front of people. My soul has never felt cleaner. I only wish the life I wish to live could include professional theatre but it doesn't. I want very much to stay grounded in one place and not have to bother with traveling all over to Hell and back to find work. I guess that's just the duality of my life.
Now, to introduce you to my castmates who've made this such a pleasure for me. I pondered briefly to make this post friend's only in case any of them stumbled on this journal but I have made a commitment to making this journal honest and public. I have a feeling some of the members from my cast have already found this journal anyway so if they have this is their invitation to tell me! I won't mind, really.
Dayna - One of the more talented members of the cast. In fact, among the women, I would venture to say that she has the most talent and commitment. She hasn't made it a strong point to get to know me as much as some of the other members of the cast but she may just be guarded like that. She's a little like me in that way. She's a very fun person to be with and speak to when she loosens up which led me to almost ask her out. Unfortunately, because, you know, fate hates me, the day I was going to ask her out I found out that she already had a date with some supposedly great guy. So I had to back off. And that, to put it bluntly, sucked a whole lot of ass.
Gary - When you think of being young Gary totally comes to mind. He's energetic and brash and interested in everything except what he's supposed to be doing. Of the entire cast I probably relate to him the least but we have football in common so at least we have conversation. He's genuine though, and I like that about him.
Guillaume - The Frenchy I spoke about earlier in this post (if you couldn't guess from his name). Guillaume has been a total delight to work with and I actually hope to do it again in the next show. He attractive in an almost unnatural way. He's attractive in such a way that all the women will comment on it to him and I think they don't even know how to really react to it. On top of it all, he has an amazing charm and charisma that even I love the guy. Every stereotype you may have of the gorgeous French lover is captured in him.
Janna - What can I say? Jana is one of the coolest people I have had the pleasure of getting to know in this cast. She's absolutely brimming with energy and puts it all into her work. Beyond that, she's very easy to just sit back and be yourself because she's so empty of judgment. Oddly enough, I actually have a lot in common with her and her boyfriend even if I do feel like the old man trying to be cool with her. She likes that about me, I think, so we have an interesting relationship.
Janalyn - One half of the dominant females I eluded to earlier. Janalynn is strong willed and wickedly pretty. She's also one of the more talented of the group of people in this show. Unfortunately, Janalynn and I rarely spoke with one another (because I have little in common with her) until recently when I began to understand where she was coming from a little bit. She's dedicated though, and I really like that in her.
Jet - In the beginning, I thought Jet was a pretty cool guy even if he did bother me with his stereotypical theatrical pretensions. He's the only one though, in the cast, that has as much theatrical experience as I do so it was nice having that to talk with him. As the rehearsal process went on however, he started asking more and more from me (rides, money etc.) and that started to bother me. Then he wouldn't learn his lines. He's the only one in this cast still on book and, from where I sit, it doesn't look like he's making much of an effort at learning them. I wish I could say it's been pleasant working with him, but at this point it really hasn't.
Judy - Judy is like the warm, comfortable grandmother of the show. She's been a joy to talk and rehearse with. Her dedication is outstanding which adds a nice touch of maturity to the production that I like. I've enjoyed our pre-rehearsal conversations.
Kristen - I have an odd but comfortable relationship with Kristen. She noticed right away the kind of confidence which can be misinterpreted as arrogance that I have on stage and called me on it in a teasing sort of way (such as our idea of changing the title of the play to "Daniel!" and having the poster be a pretentious art picture of me crucified on a cross like Jesus). I enjoy this type of friendship in people though so I'm quite comfortable in it. I have a self deprecating sort of sense of humor so I like to joke around with people at my own expense. I think I earned a certain amount of respect from her for that too. Amusingly, she's also stereotypically Mormon and always talks about how she wants to get married and pump out like 1098283 kids.
Michael - In the beginning I was worried about Michael because he never seemed to really pay attention to what he was reading. Of all the cast members, Michael may have the least amount of talent. However, Michael has worked his ass off on this show and it's really starting to show. Here it is, a little over a week before opening night, and Michael has really impressed me with his work. And he's a really nice guy to boot!
Michelle - The other half of the dominant women! She's also wickedly attractive (am I sensing a pattern here...?). Of everyone in the cast I'm probably closest to her. She's so nutty! The two of us clown around with each other more often than we probably should. If anything can be said about Michelle it's that she makes me laugh. And that can be very good sometimes because I have a tendency to get far too serious and then get pissed off and grouchy. SO thank you, Michelle! I can say with honesty that she has single handedly made this play a lot of fun for me.
So, yes, I have very much enjoyed the process of this production. I'm getting a little choked up as I type this knowing that in two weeks it will all be over. I feel lucky having this experience from such a long hiatus. I've been in shows before that I've just wanted to end. Not so with this one. Not so at all.
And one last plug for all you Seattle locals who read this blog. Come out and see the play, whether you've met me in real life or no! I don't even care if you lurk in this journal or not, still come to see it!
Information can be found here by clicking on the link titled "Theatre: Under Milk Wood". If you have any questions you can always comment here or email me using the contact information found on my bio. There is no excuse! See it!