Okay. Here is a rant of mine:
I have been hired to sub into a dinner theater. The first time I had no rehearsals, a couple run thru of the two songs with the pianist (who wasn't the regular), an hour long phone call about blocking, and was hungover beyond belief. It was a rough first show. That is an understatement. I got thru it and that's what matters. Not only that but a table of ladies at the dinner theater showed up to the bar and had nothing but compliments for me. Once I revealed who I was, half their part wasn't so sure about if it was me or not.
Well, before the second time I did the show there was a rehearsal called. With the director no less!! Again I was hungover. . . a trend it seemed. Regardless, the role I called in for the director worked with me pretty extensively and we strove for this 20's male dominance strive to put the woman in her place feel. It was intense to say the least. Especially since I hadn't looked at the script since the month before when I did the show the last time. Rough again. Luckily the Hero (again, y'all reader(s) may get that story) and I were having lunch and he was able to drop me off to a call time three hours before I thought I was called. Later in that rehearsal the director worked with the alpha cast (or whatever they're called). The guy who usually does it, and is married, played the role SO GAY. Lemme tell you. Camp. Camp. Camp. I was confused as to how I was supposed to play the role needless to say. Even after the whole afternoon of "How does he feel? How would he react to this? What would he say to her after that?"
Organic theater.
I hate it. Truly and honestly. I am just an actor and play one role. I don't see the whole picture. I certainly don't really know your whole picture. I develop a character, don't get me wrong. At the same time I would really like you to tell me what you want. None of this "how does this make you feel" bull. How do you want this scene? How does this scene fit into your show? Where do these characters go from here and what affect do you want them to have to build the rest of your show? That's what I want. How does this fit into your bigger picture? None of this How does he feel about this argument crap? I don't know, you tell me. I'm working in your painting right now. I can't really see the forest when I'm in the middle of it, now can I?
Organic? Blegh. I love real. That's fine. I'll find that when I see where I came from and where I'm going. If you help me develop your whole show, I'll find it even faster. If I know what I'm working with I can develop something that helps the greater whole. Moves that along. Everybody is furthered along. Better show. That scene will come and move towards the show as a whole after I see the show as a whole.
Sure there may be an argument about the show as a whole coming along after the scenes develop. Lets be honest thats like putting together a house after developing and deciding how each room individually looks. Talk about a weird shaped house.
Talk about characters.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Power of Words
I attended a show of my sister some weeks ago. It is not my favorite show. At all. The only redeeming point was the leading actor. He is simply amazing. Well, was amazing in this show. It has closed. Which is really fine with me. Again not my favorite. Anyway.
Every moment he was on. Every look. Every sideway glance. Everything had a purpose and everything was in the role and engaging. It was during this show that I realized as an actor what I had to strive for in my craft and in my career. 100% of the time he was on. I honestly have no experienced (maybe due to me close seats) this level of theater. At least by him. The rest of the cast was what you'd expect from that show. Yeah, I said it. To my friends in the cast (who most likely won't read this) sorry 'bout it, you were good but expectantly campy.
Here is where I get to my point. This man who is married to a beautiful and talented woman, I have worked with before on another show. Regardless, during that show I had the HUGEST crush on him. Harmless school girl crush. That was before I saw him perform. After I saw him perform, oh man. . . Yeah, it was bad. So, as I was waiting for my sister outside I was keeping an eye out for him. Just to say hi to this man who was in even higher regards than before. Well, he didn't come out. I was fine with that, I promise even though I really just wanted him to know I saw the show. (Even to remind him I was out there if not to hire me again. . . really)
Well, must to my delight as my grandparents were heralding off my sister to dinner and I was leaving to say goodbye to my aunt and collect a bag of oranges (she randomly bought several pounds [into juicing or something]) he left the back door. I called out and didn't think her heard me but at the last minute turned around and saw me. Recognized me and came in for a hug. Top ten best hugs ever! We chatted for a bit and after that he complemented me. My physical appearance. I was so elated. Seriously, we're talking walking on clouds. This guy who I think is really attractive and incredibly talented complimented me.
Okay, here's my actual point. The power of words. This person I respect said a mere sentence to me and it held such an incredible weight. I was floating feet above the ground for I don't know how long. Well, I don't know if there are people who hold me in that same esteem, but maybe I should be more liberal with the compliments. If my day can be made so easily then maybe I can make someone else's in the same way. All more in my quest to be positive and happy I guess. I really don't know nor do I think myself high enough that my words carry that weight but it won't hurt to do and would be so much more to someone else when done. Go out and complement someone's hair. Make their day. Who knows, you might be their secret high school girl crush.
Every moment he was on. Every look. Every sideway glance. Everything had a purpose and everything was in the role and engaging. It was during this show that I realized as an actor what I had to strive for in my craft and in my career. 100% of the time he was on. I honestly have no experienced (maybe due to me close seats) this level of theater. At least by him. The rest of the cast was what you'd expect from that show. Yeah, I said it. To my friends in the cast (who most likely won't read this) sorry 'bout it, you were good but expectantly campy.
Here is where I get to my point. This man who is married to a beautiful and talented woman, I have worked with before on another show. Regardless, during that show I had the HUGEST crush on him. Harmless school girl crush. That was before I saw him perform. After I saw him perform, oh man. . . Yeah, it was bad. So, as I was waiting for my sister outside I was keeping an eye out for him. Just to say hi to this man who was in even higher regards than before. Well, he didn't come out. I was fine with that, I promise even though I really just wanted him to know I saw the show. (Even to remind him I was out there if not to hire me again. . . really)
Well, must to my delight as my grandparents were heralding off my sister to dinner and I was leaving to say goodbye to my aunt and collect a bag of oranges (she randomly bought several pounds [into juicing or something]) he left the back door. I called out and didn't think her heard me but at the last minute turned around and saw me. Recognized me and came in for a hug. Top ten best hugs ever! We chatted for a bit and after that he complemented me. My physical appearance. I was so elated. Seriously, we're talking walking on clouds. This guy who I think is really attractive and incredibly talented complimented me.
Okay, here's my actual point. The power of words. This person I respect said a mere sentence to me and it held such an incredible weight. I was floating feet above the ground for I don't know how long. Well, I don't know if there are people who hold me in that same esteem, but maybe I should be more liberal with the compliments. If my day can be made so easily then maybe I can make someone else's in the same way. All more in my quest to be positive and happy I guess. I really don't know nor do I think myself high enough that my words carry that weight but it won't hurt to do and would be so much more to someone else when done. Go out and complement someone's hair. Make their day. Who knows, you might be their secret high school girl crush.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
People make mistakes. . .
Sorry 'bout it. This is going to be one of those complainey posts. . . First of all I this doesn't apply to the reader(s) who read this. Frankly, it will most likely fall on deaf ears. . . well, eyes to those in my life I would really like to know my feelings on this subject. So on deaf eyes I make my argument, my stand, my complainings. With no more preamble: my feelings.
More often then not I feel a friend of convenience. Again this doesn't apply to who mostly likely read this. I care a lot about the people in my life. I go out of my way to make sure that they are taken care of and have special events happen in their lives. So, its a big deal to make and I put a lot of effort into relationships that I care about.
This brings to my initial point. I feel often I'm merely a friend of convenience. I'm the person handy to have around. I'm the person that seems to be on the "oh yeah, invite him!" list. I'm the "I've had a bad day and don't want to talk to the people I usually do and he's probably still awake" friend. I'm the when no one else is around I'm guaranteed to till be available and willing to talk friend. Oh, we need a fourth. The here's going on in my life that I need to vent but have no idea on what's going on in yours friend. Just convenient. Just here when you need me.
Sans my inner circle, it really disappoints me that this is how I feel about people I've seriously invested in and care/have cared about. People I thought I was generally special too. I guess I'm just tired of being the passive, supportive, always there for you with no reciprocation friend. I put in the work and make the connections and when you need me I'm there for you and make you feel special, welcome, loved and then when you don't need me I don't hear from here from you. Happens in lots of facets of my life. "We don't need you right now so we'll just put you over here. . . oh man, things went to the shitter I really need your help." Lots. Of. Facets.
Maybe I should stop being there for people. Hah, I say that but it'd never work. I'm pretty much a sucker. Granted I wear a "carefully manufactured persona" and I keep my feelings, hurt or otherwise, put away and I doubt I'd really tell someone to their face that this is how I feel they're doing to me, its certainly fun to imagine. I actually had a text message about this very thing to one of these people. Sadly, he's rather blonde and had no idea I was talking about him-to him. He happened to agree with me the whole time. About how much we dislike these people. He's been one of them to me for years. If only he'd realize. You know what though? Next time he's tired of his other friends, needs to complain, is hurt by someone, everyone else in his life forgets some important date; I'll be there for him. Like usual. Like always before. And I'll have the same feeling.
ugh. I've read three books this week. Again these frustrations don't apply to the reader(s) who reads this. Neiman Marcus gay. The Armenian. The Hero (that story may or may not be shared).
Enjoy this video that makes me happy every time:
My smile
More often then not I feel a friend of convenience. Again this doesn't apply to who mostly likely read this. I care a lot about the people in my life. I go out of my way to make sure that they are taken care of and have special events happen in their lives. So, its a big deal to make and I put a lot of effort into relationships that I care about.
This brings to my initial point. I feel often I'm merely a friend of convenience. I'm the person handy to have around. I'm the person that seems to be on the "oh yeah, invite him!" list. I'm the "I've had a bad day and don't want to talk to the people I usually do and he's probably still awake" friend. I'm the when no one else is around I'm guaranteed to till be available and willing to talk friend. Oh, we need a fourth. The here's going on in my life that I need to vent but have no idea on what's going on in yours friend. Just convenient. Just here when you need me.
Sans my inner circle, it really disappoints me that this is how I feel about people I've seriously invested in and care/have cared about. People I thought I was generally special too. I guess I'm just tired of being the passive, supportive, always there for you with no reciprocation friend. I put in the work and make the connections and when you need me I'm there for you and make you feel special, welcome, loved and then when you don't need me I don't hear from here from you. Happens in lots of facets of my life. "We don't need you right now so we'll just put you over here. . . oh man, things went to the shitter I really need your help." Lots. Of. Facets.
Maybe I should stop being there for people. Hah, I say that but it'd never work. I'm pretty much a sucker. Granted I wear a "carefully manufactured persona" and I keep my feelings, hurt or otherwise, put away and I doubt I'd really tell someone to their face that this is how I feel they're doing to me, its certainly fun to imagine. I actually had a text message about this very thing to one of these people. Sadly, he's rather blonde and had no idea I was talking about him-to him. He happened to agree with me the whole time. About how much we dislike these people. He's been one of them to me for years. If only he'd realize. You know what though? Next time he's tired of his other friends, needs to complain, is hurt by someone, everyone else in his life forgets some important date; I'll be there for him. Like usual. Like always before. And I'll have the same feeling.
ugh. I've read three books this week. Again these frustrations don't apply to the reader(s) who reads this. Neiman Marcus gay. The Armenian. The Hero (that story may or may not be shared).
Enjoy this video that makes me happy every time:
My smile
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