HELLO Gentle Reader!!
These last three months seem to have flown by in the blink of an eye!! I just turned around and whoosh…
Evita opened and closed. I loved meeting so many new people and young talent. It was educational watching Lexi Dorsett Sharp and Jesse Sharp as they continuously sought or created opportunity for themselves. The show had a wonderful run, but then it was on to Boeing Boeing which ended up having the same rehearsal period at the same time as Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang. Even now, I still hear fabulous comments regarding Evita as the audience of Boeing leaves. Lucky for me, we are now two weekends into Boeing and Chitty is set to open next week. So I was very excited about the prospect of possibly having a week or two off to relax or what have you, BUT it turns out my next project, Corridos, begins rehearsals next week. The commute is about twice as long as the other two shows, but I am really looking forward to the experience with The Western Stage Company. After that, then I get a bit of a break before reprising my role as Father Mouse for a children’s play during Christmas. It is a fun little gig and I get to be silly and make children laugh. What’s not to love about it?
While this year has had a number of new experiences and opportunities for me, I have come to find out that I need to pump the brakes a bit and handle some non-theatre business. It saddens me that I need coast for awhile instead of building on my momentum that I have gained these last few months. Selfish of me to say, I know. You don’t have to point it out.
I try to keep this blog upbeat and free from personal family stuff. Sometimes, though, the family stuff will blend into a topic. Today is such a day. Not to worry, dear reader, I shall be brief. I know I have made mention of my father in the past and have said how incredibly supportive he is of all my endeavors. I have also mentioned that he has had his share of demons, like drugs and alcohol. I have been told that the life he led is beginning to take a toll on him.
My brother told me of an incident where he watched as my dad spoke to his parents, asking them to “come and get him because he is ready.” My grandparents died a long time ago. I never actually met my paternal grandfather. My mom said he has periods of depression and he won’t eat. My sister has said he complains that he has no one to talk to. His own brothers and sisters make no effort to contact him.
As you can see, all of this information has been received from other people and it breaks my heart that I have been so in pursuit of this theater goal that I have brushed off so many things and so many people. The amount of guilt and sadness I feel is hard to admit out loud. So many missed opportunities. With that in mind, I have made it a point to try harder to visit.
Most recently, I snuck in a quick visit on Sunday before my matinee show to find he was in the garage cleaning my mom’s car. He was joking like he used to and it was a good sight, but then to hear, “oh, you hear I’m dying, then you come around.” While I know he meant it jokingly, it was so tough to take. And like most good jokes, there is a kernel of truth, so I have no right to get defensive about that. So I told him, “don’t be selfish. We’re all dying.”
Yeah, that is how my family jokes. You may think it’s harsh, but if you grew up in our house, you would understand.
In order to spend a bit more time with my family, I have decided that it would be best for me not to add anymore projects to my current schedule. I will complete my commitments for 2015 and maybe pick up an acting or improv class. Most of my evenings and weekends will be free and I will spend some time making the rounds and reconnecting with not only my parents, but my siblings as well. We were never really all that close, but it will be nice to tighten the net a bit.
With that in mind, I will be able to see more shows and cheer on more actors and finish completing my own website. SHWAAAA?? Oh yes, kiddies. I will be launching an official artist website soon. It will have production info as well as random backstage footage shot during shows. Just silly stuff. But be on the look out for that announcement.
Thanks for your patience and hopefully, I will see you after one my next few shows!
Love!
The Actorvist 