Hullo Friends and enemies! My, but it HAS been a long time hasn't it? Let us see. Since we last spoke I have managed to make it through the AMDA musical theatre boot-camp intensive conservatory training program, get myself engaged to the love of my life, and get hired for a touring theatre job. In point of fact, this is my first week- I started wednesday, and I have never been so at home so quickly!
Friday was a red letter day. It marked a pretty important first: I recieved my very first PAYCHECK as a professional actor. Of course, I'm an understudy- and also mainly a techie (sound board operator and house manager)- but it counts! I'm getting paid to participate in the greatest profession I could wish to be a part of - - and I am euphoric.
** DISCLAIMER: Some of the Euphoria may be caused by the wonderful evening I spent last night having a birthday dinner with friends and seeing SNAKES ON A PLANE with Mr. Samuel L. Jackson. **
Abouth the tour. . .
So far I am very delighted and impressed by the high level of efficiency and professionalism with which this company is run. Of course, the Chamber Theatre Production Tours are older than me, I think, (or nigh so), and thus mainly run like clockwork with shiny replacement cogs, but nevertheless I stand in awe of the process.
There certainly seems to be a great deal to learn. I ust say that I understand the style of acting that we are presenting, the style of theatre, I understand it and find it a very effective and specific sort of medium, especially with the wonderful actors in our company- but I'll admit that I'm nervous about having to actually put it into practice myself. It is so broad, so presentational, almost cartoon-like. It is really brilliant and entralling storytelling designed very cleverly and carefully to reach every seat in any large house, but we spent so much time on american realis at AMDA and so little time on characterizations, style, broad comedy, and no time at all on theatre-for-children that I a feeling self concious and somewhat glad that I haven't needed to get up there and do it thus far.
Of course I think I'll be fine, should the need arise. Musical comedy in most cases is quite colorful and broad, and I have had some great instructors- and just watching this cast is teaching me so so very much that I could never hope to learn in a class room environment. They are fun, funny, kind, enthusiastic, warm, welcoming, preofeesional yet relaxed, eager yet not over-bearing, they seek perfection and demand excellence without ego, and these are the people I'll be spending a big chunk of time with ere long- living with them as a family.
I can't tell you how truly blessed I feel to be part of such a great theatrical tradition. A TOUR. a touring company! Like in the old stories, like something out of legend. We get to pack, un pack- set up and take down- sleep on the road, get lost, fing wonderful destinations and most importantly bring our work all over this country!
It is late. It has been a momentous and an important, exhausting, exhillerating week for me. I'm going to go ahead and encourage myself to stop here, even though I have so much more to say, because I'm going to try to do what I had set up this blod to do in the first place, all that tie ago: I'm going to tryn and keep a running log of y adventures in the theatre! (yeah, yeah, don't hold you're collective breath- but some other darling company members have similar blogs, and I'm thinking that maybe their dedication and comittent to blogging will help keep me on track- so keep a keen eye my way.)
*** Next blog I'll tell you all about the rehearsal space, the cast of characters I have the honor of working with, a little bit about the tour (as far as I know at the moment), and hopefully will be providing PICTURES to aid in my marvelous storytelling. *****
With Love,
and giddiness
BETH
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