WOW! What a year 2019 has been! I have gotten into so many fun projects, endeavors, hijinks, etc. since 2018 ended. The year started off, you guessed it, BUSY! The first show I was in was a local production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. It was such an experience. I had the honor and privilege of rehearsing and playing as the lead role Jack Worthing from early January all the way through early March. Two solid months of rehearsing almost six days a week. There was so much detail that went into every aspect of the production, which made me very happy as an artist. "Twas a smashing success.
After that show, I immediately went into our production of Spamalot, in which I played Patsy (YAY!), the Mayor of Finland, and Guard 2 for the hilarious Herbert/Lancelot love scene. It ended up being one of the funniest shows we've done at Spotlight and all of the main players were involved.
Around the same time, I also had my post-college directorial debut in Spotlight's annual Festival of Short Plays. This particular show was full circle for me as well as the playwright. This was a short play called Sheltered Secrets by local Berea playwright and artist Patricia Watkins. It was initially written as part of a Kentucky Women's Playwrights Seminar project that had a reading in New York City at the Dramatists Guild of America. I was a part of the original project and read as the role of Baby in May 2014.
Fast forward FIVE years and I discover it was selected for the 2019 Festival of Short Plays. I knew I wanted to be in it and reprise my role as Baby. I just didn't know that I would end up directing it as well with some very talented performers (all of whom I had worked with prior). It was a bit of a challenge because I hadn't directed since the one time I directed a final 10 minute play for a Principles of Directing course in college. After realizing my vision and collaborating with everybody, my job was not that difficult. It was a blast helping this ten minute play finally have its world premiere stage production five years after its first public reading.
All the while, the message was so important to me. Sheltered Secrets is about four shelter dogs, all of whom have either been abandoned or on the streets. I had decided that we would personify them a bit with the costumes, but move and interact like dogs. This was to allow the human audience to empathize and sympathize with these characters on a personal level regardless of them being different species. It was a show that was not only good or even great. This show was special. It meant something to us actors, the playwright, and the audience, and that is what i love about theatre. It can be escapism, absurdist, or the most real thing that makes people uncomfortable, but necessary for them to hear, see, and feel.
Fun fact: the actress who read the role of Queenie with me in New York was in attendance that night, so it was super fun having not just one, but TWO original "Broadway" cast members there.
Now, I am just juggling my main day job with rehearsals for The Drowsy Chaperone and Finally!, a Broadway revue (both of which open and run back-to-back-to-back-to back weekends in September...YAY!). I also started a new part time job with the Spotlight Acting School as a recruiter, which has been super fun so far. I have been visiting daycare centers and attended an event and I'm planning more activities for future dates...all while trying to pace myself and not burn out like the millennial I am.
So, my 2019 has been really great, but also kinda not because a really close aunt passed away recently from the same disease that affected my grandmother, so it's also a trying time for my family. However, we're strong and full of love, so we have been able to cope pretty well.
Okay, now is the time for the Braden, Write a Blog Post Before Six Months Pass By Again Challenge.
