From One Show to the Next...A Reflection on the First Year Post-College

Tuned in for Murder was a killer of a show. Heh heh...murder mystery pun. For real, though, the audiences enjoyed their respective evenings. We had some audience members participate as celebrities throughout the performances, which really made the show way funnier. I was cracking up backstage. There was laughter, drama, melodrama, Momma drama, and delicious cheesecake...that my character Junior drunk-ate during the Q&A between Acts 2 and 3 (Note: this is the second show in a row where I got to eat cheesecake in character).

It was so great performing again. I am thankful for Spotlight Playhouse and the opportunities I have had to continue being an artist (of the performance kind). It took a few months to become a member of their family, but it was worth the short wait. I am now a person that a director or stage manager can call in case they need a replacement actor at the last minute, which actually happened with Clue. It makes me feel good when I am able to be dependable and can rise to the challenge of taking over with only a month and a week before the show opens. 

Since the murder mystery has ended, I am able to relax a bit and focus on only one show now. Two rehearsals in, I haven't had trouble fitting in with the rest of the cast since I had previously worked with most of them. It shouldn't be too hard when I get my lines and the songs down along with the choreography. It will be a busy month.

It really has been fulfilling to be doing so much theatre lately because today marks the first year anniversary of my college graduation. There was an entire year between my last college production and my first Spotlight production. I can feel good about the work I have done since getting my degree. Sure, my day job is working in a restaurant, but it's a really great restaurant and definitely the best serving job I'll ever have. 

I look back at those first few months after graduating, and it was not that great of a time. I had an awful job with a not-so-great boss (but amazing co-workers). I wasn't performing or even doing handstands. It was a constant cycle of biking to town before slaving away during an evening shift and biking home after closing, thus tiring my body even more. I was constant alert in case I received yet another Sunday morning or 5:30 am text message about one single dirty spot that wasn't cleaned or one thing out of place or not done. Of course, I ended this cycle by switching jobs. I started auditioning again. Even though it took until the third time before I got cast, i was determined to perform. 

Since then, it's been a lot of hard work balancing my job and my passion. I am grateful that be able to do theatre and make money for bills and rent. It can only get better from here. 

Opening Night!

It's HERE! Yet another opening night of a crazy funny show in which I am performing with a cool cast of talented actors. We have been rehearsing and working hard for over a month to put on an eventful dinner show. Really, a lot happens. Somebody gets murdered...and one of us did it. Muhahahaha.

Even though I anticipate it every time, whenever the day of the final dress rehearsal arrives, I just get really excited that all of the work and dedication to the project pays off. We no longer rehearse after that day. We perform! I usually cannot wait for people to see the show and laugh as hard as I do. I laugh at rehearsals...usually multiple times when the play is hysterical and campy.

So, on the day of final dress (yesterday), I woke up, went to work, and was just really happy that whole day...yes, even at my restaurant job. I reflected a bit, and realized that it was because I had a deviation in that schedule that I had had for several weeks. I was a part of another show before the current one had closed (Note: I joined the cast of Clue: the Musical at the same company and had back-to-back rehearsals that night). It's strange. I never had to not wait for an audition or have no time in-between projects. The thing is, I liked it. I liked it a lot! 

When a show is nearing its opening performance, I get excited and full of energy. Then it's suddenly all over and as actors, we go into some real withdrawals. No matter the show, it's weird not going back to rehearsal or a performance. We just deal with reality for a while before the next opportunity arrives. I don't have to experience that this time, which is most likely why I was so joyful yesterday. 

I believe that, as artists (especially those with non-artistic day jobs), we strive to keep making art in any way we can. Even if it takes several months to a year for another project to come our way, we still have that desire. Yes, it's nerve-racking and we get impatient after waiting, but that all ceases when we are able to do what we love.

I am very open about wanting to start a professional acting career soon. However, I live in a place where that is not really possible. At the same time, we have theatre. We have a couple of companies that produce full seasons of shows and special events. I found my love for community theatre by going to see local shows and eventually performing in them. 

We need to preserve community theaters across the country, even the world. They are so important to everybody because those of us who can't exactly make it in the business right now can still get experience and find that pleasure by simply being involved. I am glad to have found a place in another theatre environment, especially after being used to my college theatre program for four (and-a-half because I took Script Analysis as a high school senior) years before having half a year of not performing post-graduation.

I am happy. I am determined. I am still aspiring to go there. I am ready to make some people laugh for the next four days!