Closing time…

The last thing that I saw just before strike.

Now that “Shakespeare 3 Ways” has played it’s final performance, and the set has been taken apart and stowed away, and the theatre has been dark for a day or two.  I am getting a little anxious at the thought of the coming weekend arriving and me without a show to perform, or even any rehearsals to ease the withdrawal I tend to feel during those first two weeks away from a show.  I got so used to seeing the people that I was working with that it’s almost the same as “coming home.”  I guess it’s that sense of familiar that I crave.  I know that at a certain time, I would be on the road to the venue, and then I will have odd things to wear, whispered conversations behind the curtain as the audience files into the house.   This weekend instead of the above mentioned scenario,  I’m gonna be either at home watching a movie, or hanging out with friends which is always fun, or maybe reading, or writing.  But I know that it won’t be performing, and that makes me a wee bit blue.

At the end of the show last Sunday, Craig asked for a few minutes to get some closure on his work being brought to life “officially.”  As he began walking the stage, in one archway and out another, around the back of the main curtain, at the far end of the stage nearest the emergency exit and up onto his kingly throne once more, I wondered what was happening in his head.  He first steps on that stage at that particular time had so much of “something” in them that I felt compelled enough to grab my camera and shoot some pictures.  I couldn’t say what that “something” was, but it felt major.  So much so that now that I’ve seen the images I’ve gotten, I almost feel embarrassed for taking them.  The moments seem to private that I don’t feel like I should share them.  On the other hand, I can’t delete them.  So they shall sit in my computer as a memory for me.  A memory about the time when a group of people took a chance and cast me in two roles that originally called for someone quite the opposite of, well, me.  And when I see those pictures, I will wonder “What is going through his mind?” Is it happiness that a new theatre company that you’ve helped to create is up and running?  Is it panic, regarding the turn out of the audience?  Is it sadness that the show has come to an end?   Is it regret that the show was different than what you intended? Is it a combination of all of the above?  Maybe it’s similar to the withdrawals that I will have this weekend, but he’s just solving that problem with true closure.  Maybe one day, years from now, I’ll ask him.

Update!

Episode TEN of TheActorvist Podcast is running along with the show notes posted.  All you have to do is click HERE. The podcast features an interview with graphic designer and painter, Carmen Reid; Can you help a knitter out?; and an brief look back at opening weekend for “Shakespeare”.

Also, I have added some audition notices to the audition page, so see if  there is something that you would like to try out for.  Just click HERE.

If you follow this link to GOLRSTAR, you can get $5 tickets to “Shakespreare 3 Ways” at Theatre on San Pedro Square.  There are only 2 more performances left!!  Saturday 7/24 at 8 pm and Sunday 7/25 at 2 pm.  I hope to see some of you there.  Have a great weekend.

Editing away…

The next podcast interview is being edited and researched as I type this, and luckily for me some of the questions that I have sent out are being returned.

I always thought that people in the arts would be more than happy to respond to simple questions, and now I am happily getting confirmation of this fact.  I find it exciting that people are now a little more willing to talk to me than when I first started poking about.

I am taking some photos of the art work that is inspiring the theme of the podcast and plan to have them up on the site tomorrow.

I hope that this new layout of the website and podcast format are more diverse and help me to achieve the goal of sparking interest in the fabulously talented people that are right in our own neighborhoods.

Update.

Note: I did not draw this. It's well more advanced than my drawing skills.

So it’s July the 4th, and I have been out of commission for a bit.  Things are getting hairy in the rehearsals for Shakespeare, and in my head I am screaming my face off with panic, but my exterior is smilely and peppy.  I have been building sets with my fellow actor who is also the playwright, producer, and set designer for the show.  Mr. Craig Engen.  He is a great fella and I have learned a ton of new things as I have never quite helped to build an actual set before. So it’s been eye opening and difficult.  Especially in this HEAT!!  Dear Mr. Sun,  CAN YOU CUT IT OUT ALREADY?  Thank you.  Sincerely, j.

Second weekend of Breaking Up is complete, and it was a decent size crowd.  Listening to the sound check on Friday night, I could tell that things were going to be awesome.  During opening there were a few times when the band overpowered the cast, but with the new adjustments, the band could play full blast and make you feel like you were at a concert.  And according to the response on after that opening number, you could  tell it was going to be faboo!!

I will be back on in a few days with some new info and hopefully a new podcast!