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[sammowhammo]

So remember when 23 was WICKED WICKED OLD and not WICKED WICKED a week away? Cripes. I was rummaging through my closet the other night looking for an essay I had written on US/Israeli propaganda and I found this pile of high school papers that was spared the last time I dumped a lot of crap last winter. In the pile was this assignment we had to

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[theplebeian]

//On a better note (I guess?) I am feeling much more ready to lead a life independent of Amherst, my comfort zone, and I can honestly say I have outgrown the Theatre Guild, in a healthy way. I got the closure I needed after the last show I did to confirm that it is not something I have any desire to become involved with again, as I've contributed all that I can without overstaying a welcome. This is really a good thing, and is something I am genuinely happy about. A few months ago I was afraid that the lingering feelings of wanting to be in the midst of it all would never leave, but they have dissipated, and it is all for the bettah.//

Oh god yes. Amherst is hard to leave, and I keep wanting to go out to visit (the area, mainly...there aren't many people remaining out there who even know me), but it's good to move on. And the Guild? I'll say that the show selection has made it very easy for me to outgrow them; it's clearly a different organization with different aims now, and that's fine by me. Doing the long-distance publicity for Woods certainly helped ease me out of the group, along with the fact that I now have the Westborough Players Club (where I find myself doing more than I ever did with the Guild...right now I'm the Vice President, on the plays committee, and auditioning for Sweeney Todd), which helps fill that void.

Really, the hardest thing to let go of was the people, but I quickly realized that the ones who matter are the ones you remain friends with, and you just have to let go of the ones who don't give you a second thought when they don't see you...which seems like a surprisingly large amount of them. But hey, it was that way with the shows. Everyone was Biffles when the show was going on, and as soon as another show started, they stuck with that crowd and forgot about anyone from the last show.

//Lastly, and this is the kicker, I am knocking out alcohol entirely. //

Since leaving college, I've probably become more of a drinker, but in a social, moderate way. I feel this is for the best. If you end up wanting to have a drink, have one, but don't feel the need to crunk.

[sammowhammo]

So... does your Club have any need for a marketing/publicity person....?

[theplebeian]

As a matter of fact, I've been seriously pushing for an improved publicity approach. We have one person who considers herself our publicity person; she typically sends out the press releases and such, but when it comes to the posters and programs, the efforts have been seriously lacking. We had a big to-do recently regarding what constitutes publicity, and who could post things online and all that jazz. I've taken it upon myself to be the Facebook Publicity person, because hey, why not.

Since I've been involved, the "posters" have been little more than 8.5"X11" photocopies with essentially a piece of clip art, the name of the show, and the pertinent information (and sometimes information that doesn't need to be on the poster, like producer/director/etc.). The programs have often been one sheet of paper, maybe two.

I've been pushing for better programs (using Jim's typical approach to programs as a model) as well as actual posters (using Rumors, Into the Woods, and Hurlyburly as models) and am seriously hoping that we will be able to implement some changes for Sweeney Todd (which BK is directing!). Of course, the main concern people end up having is the added cost of printing longer programs and posters (although I try to explain that the programs should be a wash if we are effective in our use of advertisements), but maybe once the show gets rolling (auditions are this weekend), I'll bring it up with the producer and see what we can do. I've had some poster ideas already, actually, so if the club is open to putting forth an actual publicity effort, you'll be the first person I turn to.

[sammowhammo]

That would be great, thanks Brian! I'm so psyched BK's directing. Also, if this actually goes somewhere and that need a resume/graphic portfolio, I'd be happy to submit one!