Taking Responsibility

On my computer at work I have my desktop background set up to shuffle through a folder of images with inspirational/positive quotes and images. Today as I was coming back from my break I saw that this image was currently decorating my screen, and it got me thinking.

We opened NOISES OFF tonight. It's been a month of memorizing, running around, digging deep, exhaustion, and incredibly fun, but hard, work. The last two weeks of tech and dress rehearsals have tested my stamina, my confidence, and my talent. I've never worked on a show that required so much concentration and focus while at the same time requiring excessive amounts of ease and relaxation. Comedy is HARD, it's a skill-set I wasn't given much of an opportunity to polish during college But this show... this show has put me to work.

I've always felt like I didn't have much of a choice in the matter when it came to what I was going to do with my life. I've written about this before- theatre is the only thing that makes sense to me. Its always been the dream, and though the parameters of that dream may have shifted and changed over time- I know I'll always be trying to perform in one way or another. But I don't know if I've ever thought about my need/ability to perform as a responsibility. When put into those terms it gives me new perspective on what I'm doing to further myself as a performer. Going to auditions, seeking out voice lessons or workshops, keeping fit, reading plays; these are all things that I should be doing in order to keep this gift in tip-top shape. I want to make sure I'm constantly working at myself, at my talent. It's something I'm going to try to focus on from now on.

What talents do you feel like you've been entrusted with? How are you working on them?

Art Imitating Life Imitating Art

Noises Off

A meta-theatrical production about a play in rehearsals and in performance.

We are currently in rehearsals and the similarities between us as a cast and the cast within the play are, simply put-

HILARIOUS.

There are characters in the show who have various personality traits which are becoming quite apparent in the actors who are playing them. The moments when our director has to pause and rephrase or wait for one of us (myself included) who is behaving a little too much like their character (without meaning to) is amusing-to say the least. Some of the characters in this play never do manage to quite get their lines right, some are a little vacant and distracted, some often struggle to get their point across, some are hyper involved in all the best/worst gossip and too eager to talk about it. They are characters designed to represent the type of actors a well-meaning director struggles to put up with... and there are moments in rehearsal where I worry that we are all reflecting our art a little too much!

I have to credit our fearless leader, Anne, for dealing up with all of us. She is one of the most patient humans. This show is a monster to put together, and on top of the countless staging and practical difficulties she also has to deal with us actors who are not always the most 'on-the-ball'. But the show is coming along so well, considering what a nightmare it could be. I'm going to lose at least 10 lbs by the time we open, simply because of the amount of time I spend running around in heels during the second act (and we haven't even finished blocking it yet.) I am having the most fun, and being stretched as an actor in ways I haven't before. And the people I get to work with are just the loveliest. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I can't wait for you all to come see it! 

(there's a link for tickets near the top of my blog. *hint hint*)

Observations from My Cubicle

• When you work at a job that is not very difficult, it becomes glaringly obvious which of your coworkers are vastly incompetent humans. Especially when they sit across from you and you can see their sub-par work ethic in action.
• Most voice mail boxes will answer after about 30 seconds. If the line rings for more than a minute, it is unlikely that there is an answering service available. 
• Cubicle walls are very thin, and I can hear the guy on the other side of mine watching videos and listening to music all the time. One day he was watching the Defying Gravity Tony's performance. I want to be his friend.
• Do not forget to dial 9-1- before dialing out. Otherwise you dial an extension for someone within the company and don't reach the student at all.
• Rainy days make it harder to be in-office for some reason. I'd rather be in bed.
• I tend to be more productive after 2pm than before 2pm for some reason. 
• Some people have voices that carry from all the way across the office. Like 4 or 5 rows of desks away. 
• These people, with the voices that carry, often look nothing like you expected them to from the way their voice sounds.
• People who pick up the phone and either immediately hang up, or who speak with you for a moment and then hang up boggle my mind. I never realized how rude that was, especially when we're calling with information THEY requested. Also the people who refuse to answer you with anything other than one-word-answers..... what?
• I am the most fidgety human. I never realized how much I dislike sitting in the same place for extended periods of time. My legs are almost always wiggling, or I'm playing with my hair. Something to keep me from falling asleep.
• 15 minutes for lunch is all you really need. But sometimes you REALLY need a full half hour. 
• I function better when there are goals set for me... trying to set my own goals isn't as motivating as trying to achieve something someone else expects me to do.
• Most of the people I talk to are nice enough, but every now and then I speak with someone so delightful that it just makes the whole day worth it.