like no business i know
I started rehearsals Tuesday for my first professional show in ages. Saying this, naturally, makes me want to tangentially debate myself regarding the use of the word "professional" when applied to the theater, but I will leave that for the bar -- presumably after a few drinks. For simplicity's sake, I mean a decent wage-earning acting contract at a large Equity theater. Obviously, I've given up giving up acting. Well, who can blame me ... how else am I going to get rich and famous?
Anyway, it's The Women, at ACT Theatre. It's a huge play, and it's going to be all kinds of Gorgeous. It's also going to be a technical mule. But other people who are really good at what they do get paid to worry about that, so I just get to enjoy the acting process. Or not enjoy it, as may be on some days.
I adore first rehearsals -- the same way I adored the first day of school. There's often food, and a company meet'n'greet, and paperwork to wrap up, and bios to proof, and design presentations, and exciting news about where to park and how to claim your comps. I LOVE THAT SHIT. It's the orchestral overture of the rehearsal process. And then, you sit around the table and read and talk. And talk. And talk some more. Um, hi - yeah. You had me at hello. Seriously. LOVE.
As Artistic Director, Kurt Beattie gave a speech to welcome the show, and it was truly inspiring. I wish I was one of those people who records everything on their phone or whatnot; I will never be able to recreate it. He started with the recent stabbing death of Mark Weil in Uzbekistan, and reminding us why the creation of theatre is so vital, and that we've become complacent in our country, but that our complacency doesn't absolve us of the responsibility of this torch we carry. I'd've taken to the streets right then if he'd asked. No question.
Enough for now. I have a million thoughts about the project and the process and what it's like to be so lucky as to be among such talented women and to be directed by Warner Shook. I'll be back soon.
Anyway, it's The Women, at ACT Theatre. It's a huge play, and it's going to be all kinds of Gorgeous. It's also going to be a technical mule. But other people who are really good at what they do get paid to worry about that, so I just get to enjoy the acting process. Or not enjoy it, as may be on some days.
I adore first rehearsals -- the same way I adored the first day of school. There's often food, and a company meet'n'greet, and paperwork to wrap up, and bios to proof, and design presentations, and exciting news about where to park and how to claim your comps. I LOVE THAT SHIT. It's the orchestral overture of the rehearsal process. And then, you sit around the table and read and talk. And talk. And talk some more. Um, hi - yeah. You had me at hello. Seriously. LOVE.
As Artistic Director, Kurt Beattie gave a speech to welcome the show, and it was truly inspiring. I wish I was one of those people who records everything on their phone or whatnot; I will never be able to recreate it. He started with the recent stabbing death of Mark Weil in Uzbekistan, and reminding us why the creation of theatre is so vital, and that we've become complacent in our country, but that our complacency doesn't absolve us of the responsibility of this torch we carry. I'd've taken to the streets right then if he'd asked. No question.
Enough for now. I have a million thoughts about the project and the process and what it's like to be so lucky as to be among such talented women and to be directed by Warner Shook. I'll be back soon.
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