Now, theatre. I have been fortunate for the last several years, to be part of a traveling murder mystery theatre company. There were 5 or 6 shows in repertory. A client would book the show, the producer, Laurie Dunlap would then book the necessary actors. We would show up 2 hours before the show, load in, do the show, load out, get a check, and drive home. This was the perfect gig for me- a stay at home mum who really didn't feel able to take off long periods of time for rehearsals, etc. Not lazy, just focused on the Boy.
Well, the perfect gig died. Rather, Laurie contracted a horrible blood cancer, and passed away in less than 6 months. There was confusion, I guess, about how to keep the company alive, and it is gone. I valued this gig-- it kept my skills up, it got me out of the house, I got paid, and I enjoyed almost all of the company members. And, most importantly, it allowed me to continue being a working actor.
Last gig was in August. I miss it. I have grieved. I am trying to figure out if I want to get back into it all-- headshots, auditions, driving forever... I love acting. I love auditioning. But it was so nice, so convenient, not having to do all the looking for a job.
A friend (who does audition, and drives forever, and gets paid) has been encouraging me to get out and just do it again. Get a new headshot done, update the resume, and at least do the local cattle call auditions. He actually has a gig in mind for me. (I wish HE was the casting director!!) If only I could just go audition for it.... But in this area, you cannot just go audition for a show. No, no, you have to be invited to audition... and in order to get that invite, you have to be seen...
It all makes me wonder... am I really wanting to be a working actor? I have lots of excuses and reasons why not. I am clearly not ready to just throw in the towel, and STOP acting. I need to either do the work: get a headshot done, update the resume, and get to the cattle call... or I just need to let it go for now.
Not deciding tonight. There are other factors to consider in the equation--an invitation to join a similar company that is forming; and a long-simmering idea of forming my own theatre company.
But enough for now. I am currently an out-of-work actor. It sucks. But at least I am walking again.
1 comment:
Hey, that's great about the walking.
Oh, and gee, you poor thing! You've got interests in so many things and you're great at all of them... whatever should you do! :P
I say, pick extracurricular and be the best you can be at it. If it's writing, do that. IF you like acting, do that. If you do multiple things, you'll be dividing your time and that could be sort of discouraging.
Maybe you can sort of think about what a typical week would be like if you did acting, plus writing, plus the family stuff. Would you be happy? Would you be stretched thin? Now think about a typical week taking out wither the acting or writing. How would that feel?
One other piece of two-bit advice... whatever you decide, don't look back too much. There'll be plenty of interesting opportunities and choices that will come up whatever path you choose.
And, just as a disclaimer, I'm no expert on life, so ... yeah
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