(no subject)

[pensivecabby]

 I've been here a little over two months and it's felt like years! Everyday is really quite busy and often times we put in 8-10 hour days, which means at $100 a week, I am working for $1.35 an hour. But I can't complain. The apartment they have us in is really nice - it's the same apartment they use for guest artists and talent, and it's about a 45 second walk to the theatre. Fall has come, but almost gone - it's getting to be about 30 degrees here at night. Duncan Sheik is performing a concert here tonight - Michael Cristofer and Marsha Mason were here a few weeks ago to do a stage reading of his newest show "The Whore and Mr. Moore." I've met Joanne Woodward, I helped James Earl Jones' wife try on fur coats at our silent auction for fundraising. Julia Roberts hosted our Gala, and we got to see Bernadette Peters pay tribute to Angela Lansbury, who came on stage to sing "Not While I'm Around." It's been a little overwhelming at times. The Education Department here is non-stop - we have multiple programs running at once, all of which need attention - we're in schools, running classes here - I've been assistant teaching a group of 4-5 year olds and it's been a lot of fun. I've been working with middle school students to write plays, and I'm helping with the apprentice program which gets high school students to volunteer to work the shows here. My supervisors are great - they are always trying to find opportunities for me outside of education - I've done a little company management work, which I love, and some production. We're looking for a new Artistic Director, so there is very little work in Artistic right now, but we'll see in January. They've offered to extend my contract, which is awesome, but I've not signed anything yet. My days are full of paperwork and meetings, and overseeing classrooms and e-mails, copies and running errands, and figuring out craft projects for kids. I've hardly anytime to do everyday things like grocery shopping and laundry, but I've had to make time, usually late at night or early in the morning. I really like it here and I think it's been a good transition from academic theatre to professional theatre - things here are quite different. I've had to drive all over the state, even to New York - it's funny how living in Texas makes you immune to distances. It's been strange being here after Paul Newman past away - so many of the staff here were good friends of his, and he owned the restaruant next door to the theatre. The day he passed we all got together to watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and eat Newman's Own popcorn - I now buy everything Newman's Own. We are having a celebration in a few weeks - we are hosting 5 community gathering to watch the WCP production of "Our Town" with Newman as the Stage Manager. He was a big part of this place, and although I never got to meet him, it's hard not to miss him here. I'm sure there is more to say but I'm at work now - not even the weekend off. That's theatre.

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