July 24, 2008
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I Just Don't Get It
So, why don't directors just let us know what's up? I'm waiting for news, a familiar feeling. Many of my friends audition and wait for news. And the directors know. They know who they desire to cast, long before they call, and they know that actors would appreciate a heads up. But do they change their behavior? Noooooo! I don't get it.
I know I've been like some breathless virgin about this whole Higgins thing. As I mentioned in some other post, I feel like a minor league ball player waiting to get called into the "game." I love to act, and I act, but not at that certain level. Maybe I never will. I was watching "Field of Dreams" last night; one of my favorites, and there is a scene where Burt Lancaster plays Archie Graham; a doctor who got to play about 5 minutes in the majors. He's a small town doctor and Kevin Costner offers him a chance to play on the field with the players of his dreams and he turns it down. The Costner character is confounded but Lancaster, while admitting he always dreamed of at least having a bat in the big leagues, says; "It's no tragedy. If I had only gotten to be a doctor for 5 minutes; now that would have been a tragedy." Maybe that's what I'll come around to. I dream of being a pro. I long to do a long run as a lead in a legit company. But maybe my real value lies somewhere else. Eventually it will just be as it will be.
Comments (3)
What bugs me even more is that not being cast is indistinguishable from the director still thinking! Even calling the theater or director in question doesn't always help since they often won't answer their phone or respond to your messages if you weren't cast. And that's if you can even get contact information...
Of course, one option is to establish a good enough reputation with a single theater that you're in the chain of communication and, whether it's through scuttlebutt, direct communication, or official postings, you at least get an answer. And, since the director knows you and has worked with you, they don't feel quite as nervous about telling you that you didn't make the cut, and why.
^_^ As regards the importance of theater versus my other activities, I am reminded of the story of the three men discussing funerals and what they would like said at their funerals. The first says, "I hope that they say 'He was a devoted company man who always supported his company through thick and thin, and has left a legacy of hard work.'" The second says, "I hope they say 'He was a loving husband who raised his kids right. His legacy is in his children, who will no doubt do great things and make the world a brighter place.'" The third says, "At my funeral, I think what I want most for them to say is, 'Hey look! I think he's moving!'" I long ago accepted that I'll probably never "make it big" in theater, but I am content to keep moving at least.
Well; at least I'm still moving!
Hope all is well with you. Any shows on the horizon.
Och... turns out I'm not in the Music Man. My 10th high school reunion is inconveniently located at the beginning of tech week and they just couldn't accept that. Fair enough. I never did get a call from them though... I had to ask people at HP&P who I knew knew the director.
So, when are you coming down to see The Pajama Game? ^_^
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