My Show
As I'm recovering I'm also gearing up for the Ink'n in the Valley Tattoo Convention and Sideshow Gathering. This used to be the highlight of my year but for several years I was lucky to survive it. But now that I'm free of the trouble maker that made several years hell I'm excited about the trip again.
This is also a time to re--evaluate the show and it's direction. I had a cast that I was really excited about but unfortunately many of them have let me down big over the last year.
First one of the twins decides it's not for her and rather than just tell me she beats around the bush and just quits showing up for rehearsals.
Then we get the situation with the Professor. I learned the hard way that dating and the show does not mix, and was worried with the relationships amongst the cast, I never expected it would go so south that there is now a jury trial pending due to domestic violence between him and the remaining twin. I've heard both sides of the story and I'm not gonna point fingers on who's fault or anything but violence is a last resort and rarely is there any excuse for a man to hit a woman I just can't see the twin as a threat that calls for that rare exception. Meanwhile I was left with props in shambles half kept promises, and a broken down bronco I had lent only to have to get it out of impound after it was driven into the ground. And where's the Professor? Out traveling with Ward Hall and the World of Wonders.
And The Scam Artist Formerly Known as Boobzilla, that's a whole other blog! But as far as the show goes I'll just say I allowed the show to nearly be destroyed in the name of "Love" I was a fool. Now she directly competes with me using acts and routines learned from me or stolen from other shows.
Both of these people are able to ditch responsibilities and pursue a dream they wouldn't have even had if I hadn't recruited them for my show. Both have added to the ties that slow me down from my dream.
Now the other twin had followed in her sisters footsteps ducking out without a word. I know she has a lot going on and if she needs to duck out fine but I'm gearing up for the trip and wish I'd been respected enough to just be up front with me.
I don't know if the casts realize, they are my friends and the family part of the show name is real. Every time I'm let down by one of the cast, every time one leaves or I'm forced to ask them to leave it hurts, I'm let down. Nobody would be on that stage with me unless I had complete confidence and belief in them.
Now we're down to three of us and that's strained at the moment with only just over a week before one of the most intense weeks of our year this trip has broken casts, nearly put me in the hospital, and really puts a test to everyone's friendships. This year is the added stress that I haven't been able to book anything along the way so I'm funding the trip out of my own pocket gambling that we can make enough in tips and merch sales at the convention because god knows I'm in enough debt already.
Hopefully the cast get stronger from this trip. Roxanne is amazing, she has the most potential I've had in the cast since probably the original cast. She is fearless and determined, I think this girl can do anything that catches her fancy. Mace is similar, he was an accidental find, the whole cast was working on learning sword swallowing and he was just a friend hanging out, he wanted to give it a try first swallowing a glow necklace, then a coat hanger and then in just two tries had his first sword down. He has a high pain tolerance and a strong farm boy. While I'm healing he will be able to take on some of the torture acts I can't do right now.
Now I'm left wondering if I should continue the group show if I loose this last two. I spend more time training new people than performing. I may go solo if this cast fails and I may put together a new fire show it seems the demand is finally coming back for fire performers. I guess I'll cross those bridges when I get there.
This is also a time to re--evaluate the show and it's direction. I had a cast that I was really excited about but unfortunately many of them have let me down big over the last year.
First one of the twins decides it's not for her and rather than just tell me she beats around the bush and just quits showing up for rehearsals.
Then we get the situation with the Professor. I learned the hard way that dating and the show does not mix, and was worried with the relationships amongst the cast, I never expected it would go so south that there is now a jury trial pending due to domestic violence between him and the remaining twin. I've heard both sides of the story and I'm not gonna point fingers on who's fault or anything but violence is a last resort and rarely is there any excuse for a man to hit a woman I just can't see the twin as a threat that calls for that rare exception. Meanwhile I was left with props in shambles half kept promises, and a broken down bronco I had lent only to have to get it out of impound after it was driven into the ground. And where's the Professor? Out traveling with Ward Hall and the World of Wonders.
And The Scam Artist Formerly Known as Boobzilla, that's a whole other blog! But as far as the show goes I'll just say I allowed the show to nearly be destroyed in the name of "Love" I was a fool. Now she directly competes with me using acts and routines learned from me or stolen from other shows.
Both of these people are able to ditch responsibilities and pursue a dream they wouldn't have even had if I hadn't recruited them for my show. Both have added to the ties that slow me down from my dream.
Now the other twin had followed in her sisters footsteps ducking out without a word. I know she has a lot going on and if she needs to duck out fine but I'm gearing up for the trip and wish I'd been respected enough to just be up front with me.
I don't know if the casts realize, they are my friends and the family part of the show name is real. Every time I'm let down by one of the cast, every time one leaves or I'm forced to ask them to leave it hurts, I'm let down. Nobody would be on that stage with me unless I had complete confidence and belief in them.
Now we're down to three of us and that's strained at the moment with only just over a week before one of the most intense weeks of our year this trip has broken casts, nearly put me in the hospital, and really puts a test to everyone's friendships. This year is the added stress that I haven't been able to book anything along the way so I'm funding the trip out of my own pocket gambling that we can make enough in tips and merch sales at the convention because god knows I'm in enough debt already.
Hopefully the cast get stronger from this trip. Roxanne is amazing, she has the most potential I've had in the cast since probably the original cast. She is fearless and determined, I think this girl can do anything that catches her fancy. Mace is similar, he was an accidental find, the whole cast was working on learning sword swallowing and he was just a friend hanging out, he wanted to give it a try first swallowing a glow necklace, then a coat hanger and then in just two tries had his first sword down. He has a high pain tolerance and a strong farm boy. While I'm healing he will be able to take on some of the torture acts I can't do right now.
Now I'm left wondering if I should continue the group show if I loose this last two. I spend more time training new people than performing. I may go solo if this cast fails and I may put together a new fire show it seems the demand is finally coming back for fire performers. I guess I'll cross those bridges when I get there.