Click, Flicker, Screech!
Well, I figured that I'd post on here. Considering, 'everybody's doin' it' now, and who am I to refuse peer pressure? Mostly the purpose of this post is to talk about this really cool new thing that I'm doing...acting. Yep, I went back to my roots and I'm actually performing in a professional play at the Orlando Repertory Theatre! So let me tell you the story:
It all started when I agreed to perform a scene from the play, Proof for Alicia's directing class. It took about 2 weeks and was really intensive. We (being myself and my friend, Rae (the skipper if any of you know her)) first learned the lines and the blocking of this specific scene from the play, which we performed in front of her class. After Alicia received notes on the performance we had to cut lines and change up the blocking of the scene--which was difficult as we had already learned the scene a 'certain' way. But we re-learned it and then performed it again the following Monday. I was surprised to find out that most of her classmates (MFA students seeking their terminal degrees from UCF) were shocked that Alicia never told them that I was "a professional actor". After Alicia informed them that I wasn't, they were quite impressed! Many of them thought that I had done/do acting on a regular basis (which I haven't done, if you don't count high school, and some children's theatre...which I don't). Anyways, on that day of the final scene it just so happened that there was an audition for this play called "Writes of Spring". After their praise and suggestion it prompted me to audition, I figured, "Why the hell not." So I auditioned, along with numerous UCF theatre students and a couple community theatre people--so I thought, "Oh well, those people are obviously going to get the role (real (practiced/professional)actors), but at least it was worth a try." The next day I get an email, "You've been offered the role of Edison, do you accept." Fuck yeah! (I replied...yeah right). I was so surprised! Me, a regular guy beating out professional actors! I couldn't believe it. So now I can say that have had a major role in a professional performance at a reputable (not community) theatre. Good stuff.
A couple weeks later, and I've got my 3rd rehearsal tonight. Not to mention a bunch more before the opening date (which is Wednesday, April 18th at 6:30pm in the Universal Theatre at the Orlando REP, so clear your calendars (the people who would actually enjoy theatre (and it'll probably be free, if not, it won't be more than $5-10, I'll post it up here once I get more info on that))). I'm having a blast. The other actors are really great and its going to be an amazing show. Speaking of which, let me tell you what the show is about:
First of all, its called Writes of Spring: "Click, Flicker, Screech!" And its a really interesting process of a show. Here's the deal: Last Fall, a writing prompt was sent out to grades K-12 asking, "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" Approx. 200+ responses were sent back. The writer, then, took all of those prompts and formed a cohesive script (with main characters and an overall story, using the themes and words of the responses). As an aside, its not a bunch of mini-monologues, it actually has a story and a progression but you can hear the words of the kids through the lines in the play. Synopsis: Its about this 9 year old girl, Blanket and her journey through her fear (of thunderstorms, crocodiles, etc.). There are 5 characters: Blanket, Slade (her older brother, who tries to instigate her fear), Garth (Slade's sidekick, who carries around a sock-puppet (even sidekicks need sidekicks)), Hallie (Blanket's eccentric friend from across the street), and Edison (Blankets annoying younger brother, who I'm playing, so his traits aren't that much of a stretch for me. lol.). There is going to be a lot of abstract styles incorporated as most of the characters (besides Blanket) are 'dreamers' who are constructs of what fear she's describing (going have big masks and be in grayscale) its gonna be pimp and I really think that people are going to enjoy it.
That's about it from me, but If you like theatre, and want to support not only Orlando's arts community, but a good friend...come out to the REP located in Loch Haven park on April 18th at 6:30. Thanks for reading. Later kids.