How do you feel. . .

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.