Inside the Actors Studio
My decision to accept a role in a small local production has sent my 12 readers and 183 “friends” on Facebook into mild speculation. What is the play? When is it? Why am I being so secretive?
Why indeed?
My life is ever so much the open book. I mean, I’ll post something under the heading ‘My Vagina Monologues’ but I won’t discuss a play that I’m being paid $75 to be in? It doesn’t make sense.
I was in plays and musicals during high school and college which culminated in the 1989 Rock Chalk Revue where I was in the chorus but participated in the fund-raising aspect raising over $15,000 which at the time was the biggest donation in the history of Rock Chalk, http://www.kugreek.org/greek_programs_rockrev.html.
In the play I’m in now, I’m the only non-professional actor that was cast. All of them have done local theater production for years and most are involved in local commercial production, film work and balance their respective “real lives” against the demands of casting/ cattle calls, auditions, go-sees. The director is amazing. An actor herself, she is what James Lipton would call “an actor’s director” she gives direction and keeps things moving along but gives all of us plenty of space to um, be in the moment.
Whether you are a commercial jockey or travel in the circles of the golden globes, actors are share commonalities that cross the barriers of beauty or fame.
“You were great in that scene”
“No, you were great in that scene”
“No YOU were so great”
” I can’t believe this is your first show. You should totally get your head shot together”
“No, she should do stand up”
“No, I can totally see her in a commercial for KY Yours and Mine”
And so it goes with more ass kissing than K Street lobbyists.
I’m willing to be and do a lot of things in my life. But I can’t be the Joey Tribiani in my group of “Friends”. This is a one-time deal and I plan to either donate my paycheck or put the entire amount on a Starbucks card.
And as I’ve repeatedly said, this isn’t a porno.
First 2 glasses on wine are on me Wednesday night…hopefully that will get you lubricated enough to spill the beans on the play