THE REAL LIVEJOURNAL IDOL - SEASON 9, WEEK 4
"Posture, Mister Riter! Posture!"
I simultaneously straighten my back and grind my teeth in response to The Director's comment; he's made it so often during the past three weeks of rehearsals that I swear I can hear it in my sleep now. The man thinks he's my mother; like her, he is incapable of giving compliments. Rather, he carps endlessly about the slightest mistake any member of his performing troupe makes... just as my mother constantly harangues me and my siblings for our perceived failings. I still can't quite believe I put myself in this situation. My mind wandered back to how this all began...
Normally, I would have ignored the flyers regarding the open tryouts that my college's dramatic society was holding. However, when I saw they were going to be performing ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity -- it was my father's favorite comedy, and I’d try just about anything to please the old man.
Granted, I knew I didn't have a chance of landing a major role; not only was I a newcomer to the group but I hadn't trod the boards since grade school. I'll admit there was one role I coveted above all others, but I never told The Director which one; I simply said I'd take any character he thought I was well suited for--
"Mister Riter?"
My heart was pounding in my chest as I approached the The Director’s desk. I had made the cut, but now I was to find out which role I had landed. I'd truly be happy with a walk-on bit, but part of me still hoped against all odds that I'd land my dream part. Still, I expected my dreams to be dashed when the man spoke to me--
"Mister Riter, after careful consideration I've decided to allow you the opportunity to portray the role of Jonathan--"
My heart leapt, and my mouth fell open of its own accord. MY DREAM ROLE!
"-- under one condition."
Ah. Of course, there would be a catch; some requirement I would be incapable of fulfilling. "And what might that be, sir?"
The Director glared at me. "You need to stand up straight, Mister Riter. You tend to slouch, but Jonathan must stand tall. Can you stand tall for me, Mister Riter?
I blinked. "I... Yes, sir. I can do that."
He nodded. "Then I will see you tomorrow evening at 7 PM for the first read through. That will be all."
As soon as I was dismissed from The Director’s presence, I raced home to share the happy news.
“My brother, the actor!” my sister Kathy brayed teasingly.
“That’s great news, son!” Dad declared proudly.
“This will cut into your study time.” Mom groused critically. “You better keep your grades up.” Which took a bit of the wind out of my sails…
"Posture, Mister Riter! Posture!"
It’s two weeks to Opening Night, and I am sick to death of The Director’s complaint. Granted, he doesn’t say the phrase as often as he used to… and I understand why it’s so important that I straighten my back - Jonathan is a bully, who tries to dominate all the other characters in the play. I should physically loom over everyone else on stage. But while I use my size to my advantage, I start developing other mannerisms specifically to intimidate the other characters. I run through a few of my new routines at home.
Kathy stated: “That facial tic is truly unnerving!”
Dad confirmed: “You’ve nailed Karloff’s accent!”
Mom asked: “Have you completed your homework?”
Well, two out of three, and all that…
One week to Opening Night. I’m really getting into my character now, and feel comfortable on stage. Each day I try adding another nuance or mannerism… and my fellow actors have told me that my performance is deeply intimidating on multiple levels.
The Director has said nothing about any of the idiosyncrasies I’ve developed for my character. While I know he’d complain bitterly if I did something he truly didn’t like, would it kill him to bestow even one compliment-
“Mister Riter! Just now there was something different about the way you knocked before your entrance…”
“Yes, sir.” The Director was going to chew me out; I was certain of it. “I just thought I might-“
“I don’t care how you did it,” he said peremptorily. “What matters is that it was louder and more sinister than the way you’ve done it previously.” He paused for effect. “Please knock in this new fashion in the future.”
I was stunned. His statement could be viewed as a compliment. “I… Yes, sir!”
The Director nodded… then scowled when he saw me relax. "Posture, Mister Riter! Posture!"
Ah, well. The Lord giveth with one hand…
“I can’t wait to see you perform!” Kathy exclaimed.
“I’m sure you'll do wonderfully!” Dad affirmed.
“Supper will be ready in 30 minutes” Mom interjected. “Go set the table so we all can eat.” She didn’t notice the smile on my face, but she probably wouldn’t have understood it even if she had seen it…
At the end of our final show, my fellow actors and I got a standing ovation… which surprised us so much that we literally did not know what to do. Though I was glad my family was there, I became truly elated when strangers approached me, begging me to sign their playbills, complimenting me at length on the strength of my performance.
“You did an excellent job, Mister Riter”, The Director stated at the end of the evening, without a trace of empathy in his voice.
“So nice of you to notice” I growled in reply... perfectly in character as Jonathan.
I saw a brief flash of fear in The Director’s eyes… but he actually smiled in response to my wink.
“Let’s go home, it’s getting late” my mother griped. “You know I hate driving after dark.”
I relaxed in the back seat of the car, basking in the accolades I had received this evening. It had been a wonderful night.
“You were truly impressive, son.” My father was positively beaming. “You did a fantastic job.”
“Tell me the truth, bro” my sister teased. “When you were on stage, you imagined I was one of the people you were bullying around, didn’t you?”
"Oh, no. Not you." No one notices the venomous glance I give my mother as she steers the car toward the highway. "I can honestly say I didn't imagine bullying you around..."
This post is an entry for THE REAL LIVEJOURNAL IDOL SEASON 9. It was inspired by the Martin Luther King quote “Nobody can ride your back if your back's not bent”. If you enjoyed reading it, please vote for it by clicking here. My check box is thirteenth from the top.
I simultaneously straighten my back and grind my teeth in response to The Director's comment; he's made it so often during the past three weeks of rehearsals that I swear I can hear it in my sleep now. The man thinks he's my mother; like her, he is incapable of giving compliments. Rather, he carps endlessly about the slightest mistake any member of his performing troupe makes... just as my mother constantly harangues me and my siblings for our perceived failings. I still can't quite believe I put myself in this situation. My mind wandered back to how this all began...
Normally, I would have ignored the flyers regarding the open tryouts that my college's dramatic society was holding. However, when I saw they were going to be performing ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity -- it was my father's favorite comedy, and I’d try just about anything to please the old man.
Granted, I knew I didn't have a chance of landing a major role; not only was I a newcomer to the group but I hadn't trod the boards since grade school. I'll admit there was one role I coveted above all others, but I never told The Director which one; I simply said I'd take any character he thought I was well suited for--
"Mister Riter?"
My heart was pounding in my chest as I approached the The Director’s desk. I had made the cut, but now I was to find out which role I had landed. I'd truly be happy with a walk-on bit, but part of me still hoped against all odds that I'd land my dream part. Still, I expected my dreams to be dashed when the man spoke to me--
"Mister Riter, after careful consideration I've decided to allow you the opportunity to portray the role of Jonathan--"
My heart leapt, and my mouth fell open of its own accord. MY DREAM ROLE!
"-- under one condition."
Ah. Of course, there would be a catch; some requirement I would be incapable of fulfilling. "And what might that be, sir?"
The Director glared at me. "You need to stand up straight, Mister Riter. You tend to slouch, but Jonathan must stand tall. Can you stand tall for me, Mister Riter?
I blinked. "I... Yes, sir. I can do that."
He nodded. "Then I will see you tomorrow evening at 7 PM for the first read through. That will be all."
As soon as I was dismissed from The Director’s presence, I raced home to share the happy news.
“My brother, the actor!” my sister Kathy brayed teasingly.
“That’s great news, son!” Dad declared proudly.
“This will cut into your study time.” Mom groused critically. “You better keep your grades up.” Which took a bit of the wind out of my sails…
"Posture, Mister Riter! Posture!"
It’s two weeks to Opening Night, and I am sick to death of The Director’s complaint. Granted, he doesn’t say the phrase as often as he used to… and I understand why it’s so important that I straighten my back - Jonathan is a bully, who tries to dominate all the other characters in the play. I should physically loom over everyone else on stage. But while I use my size to my advantage, I start developing other mannerisms specifically to intimidate the other characters. I run through a few of my new routines at home.
Kathy stated: “That facial tic is truly unnerving!”
Dad confirmed: “You’ve nailed Karloff’s accent!”
Mom asked: “Have you completed your homework?”
Well, two out of three, and all that…
One week to Opening Night. I’m really getting into my character now, and feel comfortable on stage. Each day I try adding another nuance or mannerism… and my fellow actors have told me that my performance is deeply intimidating on multiple levels.
The Director has said nothing about any of the idiosyncrasies I’ve developed for my character. While I know he’d complain bitterly if I did something he truly didn’t like, would it kill him to bestow even one compliment-
“Mister Riter! Just now there was something different about the way you knocked before your entrance…”
“Yes, sir.” The Director was going to chew me out; I was certain of it. “I just thought I might-“
“I don’t care how you did it,” he said peremptorily. “What matters is that it was louder and more sinister than the way you’ve done it previously.” He paused for effect. “Please knock in this new fashion in the future.”
I was stunned. His statement could be viewed as a compliment. “I… Yes, sir!”
The Director nodded… then scowled when he saw me relax. "Posture, Mister Riter! Posture!"
Ah, well. The Lord giveth with one hand…
“I can’t wait to see you perform!” Kathy exclaimed.
“I’m sure you'll do wonderfully!” Dad affirmed.
“Supper will be ready in 30 minutes” Mom interjected. “Go set the table so we all can eat.” She didn’t notice the smile on my face, but she probably wouldn’t have understood it even if she had seen it…
At the end of our final show, my fellow actors and I got a standing ovation… which surprised us so much that we literally did not know what to do. Though I was glad my family was there, I became truly elated when strangers approached me, begging me to sign their playbills, complimenting me at length on the strength of my performance.
“You did an excellent job, Mister Riter”, The Director stated at the end of the evening, without a trace of empathy in his voice.
“So nice of you to notice” I growled in reply... perfectly in character as Jonathan.
I saw a brief flash of fear in The Director’s eyes… but he actually smiled in response to my wink.
“Let’s go home, it’s getting late” my mother griped. “You know I hate driving after dark.”
I relaxed in the back seat of the car, basking in the accolades I had received this evening. It had been a wonderful night.
“You were truly impressive, son.” My father was positively beaming. “You did a fantastic job.”
“Tell me the truth, bro” my sister teased. “When you were on stage, you imagined I was one of the people you were bullying around, didn’t you?”
"Oh, no. Not you." No one notices the venomous glance I give my mother as she steers the car toward the highway. "I can honestly say I didn't imagine bullying you around..."
This post is an entry for THE REAL LIVEJOURNAL IDOL SEASON 9. It was inspired by the Martin Luther King quote “Nobody can ride your back if your back's not bent”. If you enjoyed reading it, please vote for it by clicking here. My check box is thirteenth from the top.