...I'm sick of it. The DC Metro Area has one of the largest theatre populations, community & professional, in the entire country. I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly...with far too many falling into those last two categories. Many a time I want to scratch my ears and eyes out during even the first act, or run away during intermission, but like a soldier in a war, I stay. I stay and sometimes watch the bloody massacre of something sacred to me.
As an actress who primarily works in community theatre, I'm appalled not just at the bad play selections, but at the dispassionate nature of those involved.
Community theatre. By very definition it's meant to be a volunteer effort, a local community coming together to entertain the masses.
I can forgive low budget. I can forgive crappy theater space and shoddy seats and lack of special effects and costumes that aren't fancy. I can understand why many groups do the same productions again and again...generally because they are for large casts to give everyone a chance and more importantly, they are guaranteed crowd pleasers.
What I can't forgive is the lack of effort by the directors, the stage managers, and many times, the actors themselves. Directors who don't direct, or fail to notice the little things that can make or break a production...like the femme fatale who constantly slouches, or the frosted lipstick on the 1940s heroine when it should be red red red...or the fact that the leading man has his backside to the audience more than half the time. The actors who don't work on their accents, or think about postures and vocalizations appropriate for the period or their particular characters, or who fail to establish communication (listening & responding) to their fellow actors. Or the stage managers who don't realize what their actual jobs are in rehearsals (prompting lines, getting lists of props and quick changes, writing down the blocking so the director can direct) and during the show (calling the show, being on headset, triaging problems, making sure all actors are in their places so they make their correct entrances, etc.)...these are things that need full attention and commitment.
I saw a show a while back that was truly terrible. People were falling asleep, the acting was overdone and comical (it was a drama)...and during the curtain call, I heard two women behind me, discussing the show..."That was just excellent." "What acting. I wish I could come again next weekend." Trust me...they weren't being facetious. What's more, this theatre had an almost sold out house. Hoards of people, spending their precious dollars during a recession to see something bad.
I think people have gotten so used to subpar productions that even a crappy hamburger looks like filet mignon after a while.
It kills me to see a production that I think is just phenomenal, and notice that the cast outnumbers the audience. Or to see those same terrific productions repeatedly passed over for recognition at the various award ceremonies just because they aren't on the radar for "great theatre" in this area. I have seen some of the "great theatre" in this area...and 80% of the time, it's all hype without substance. Confidence sells more than anyone realizes...theatres that are touted as being excellent convince others that they are excellent...even when the truth is that their productions are no better than anyone else's, and sometimes not as good.
I've been part of shows that I knew weren't the best, and shows that I was convinced were the best things ever. Because I'm objective and terribly critical of myself and of theatre in general, I think my assessments are generally right on the money.
I'm tired of seeing standing ovations for inferiority. And reviews that are effusive and over the top for inferior things. Maybe I'm jaded. But I also know that I approach every production professionally...I learn my lines immediately, I come to rehearsals on time, and there are no shows where I "phone it in." I try to help out with backstage stuff, publicity, set building, anything I am capable of doing...and try to bring a positive attitude to everything I do. It's community theatre. Everyone is equal, everyone is important. We don't get paid for it...so we may as well give every show our all...if not for the audience, then at the very least for ourselves.
I think that if more people had the respect for their own productions, and not in the "we're the best, our shit doesn't stink" way...but I mean acting as professionals...then the audience would pick up on that. Word of mouth would get out, not only would audience numbers be up but people might start dressing for the theatre again, and everyone's experience would be that much better.
This is just my rant. Feel free to agree or disagree...:)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Auditioning Against Type
I have wanted to play Laura in The Glass Menagerie since I first read it at age 14. I love Tennessee Williams. His work is epic, beautiful, languid, passionate...it's a dream to play all of his heroines. I've seen the show done several times...three times in this very area, in fact. They were all pretty darned good.
Laura is not a natural role for me. I am often cast as the ingenue because of my long hair and young face, as well as my ability to play a convincing twit. :) And I've loved many of the roles...Alice Sycamore (You Can't Take It with You), Gillian the Witch (Bell, Book & Candle), and Shelby & Annelle (Steel Magnolias).
But something unexpected happened in the summer of 2006. I'd just finished playing Nora in A Doll's House when I was cast as Wanda in The Baby Dance. My character was a hard, Southern, trailer trash pregnant woman selling her unborn child to a wealthy couple because she couldn't afford to raise the four kids she already had, much less a fifth. In short, a polar opposite of my normal persona, look, etc. I brightened my red hair to a garish shade and wore it up in a clippy...I bounced around with a fake belly and unflattering clothes, and it was far from a glamorous role. I got to be funny, crass, greedy, bitter, and tragic all at once. And after that, I was hooked. I wanted to actually ACT.
I'm not saying that I haven't been truly acting for my entire life, but it's much easier to be cute and funny and sweet onstage when you're cute and funny and sweet in real life. It's much harder to pretend to be unconcerned with your appearance, to let the chubby or the blemishes hang out, when in reality you strive for perfection.
After that, I knew that I wanted to balance myself out with more challenging roles. I got that opportunity again in November 2007 when I was cast as Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. That was another dream role...I just never thought I'd play it in my 20s. But I did...and again, the tied back hair and baggy dress...combined with not only NO make up but "age" make up (blue circles under the eyes, whitish lipstick, drawn on crows feet)...it was again difficult for me and my vanity. And pretending to play a religious, bitter, cold woman whose husband has had an affair...and then finding him again only to lose him...every night was a sob fest and I thought I was going to need therapy! But to play such a role...it was my privilege.
Going back to Glass Menagerie...I wanted to play Laura. Beneath that shy and tongue-tied girl is a woman who does have strength to deal with her mother, to banter with her brother, and to lose herself in her imaginary world. She's beautiful and tragic, and her still waters run deep.
Sitting through about 40 "Laura" auditions over 2 nights, I was struck by the fact that no one really seemed to understand her. Oh, they did shy and soft spoken just fine. They were awkward with The Gentleman Caller and brow beaten by Amanda. But there was no spine beneath their portrayals. No spark of life to make her interesting or layered. My friend Heather, who played Laura a few years ago, was the best audition easily. She understood the role. She will most likely win the role. And I'm happy for her because she's lovely and talented.
But back to me-hey! it's my blog! ;) I walked into the audition totally prepared...knowing everything I wanted to portray, having worked on my body language, expressions, motivations. I always dress as generically as possible for an audition...which generally means normal jeans, a plain shirt or sweater, simple earrings and flats. At 5'6, you'd be surprised at how many guys I tower over at an audition if I wear even the smallest heel! I always pin my hair back at the sides or wear a low ponytail so that my face can be seen.
I sat for 2 hours that first night. I got to read half a scene with a prospective Gentleman Caller. It went well, although I think she took one look at my bright hair and animated face and thought "absolutely not"...I'm not sure she listened to me. Or maybe she did and she just didn't see what she wanted.
I sat for an additional 2 hours the second night. I knew I couldn't make callbacks, so I'd asked permission to come again the second night of auditions, and let the director know if there wasn't time to read me that was ok. There was time to read me, but she opted not to...I think she'd already seen enough. Which evidently wasn't good enough.
I didn't get a callback, which is unusual for me but at least I appreciate not having my time wasted. And I am supremely disappointed. Yet another dream role slipping through my fingers. I only am sad because I didn't get a chance to fight for the role, to prove that I am more than just an ingenue. See, cause...I am not really the typical ingenue...due to my illness I haven't been a size 6 in years. And just because I look 23...well, I'll be 32 in December. So at some point I have to stake my claim with real roles, not just fluffy ones. They certainly won't last forever.
I will go back to playing Roz in Moon over Buffalo this weekend...a comedic ingenue role with an amazing cast that I love. And then I will tackle two fun roles at the NVTA festival this summer...one a terrifying Russian opera singer and the other, Eve...as in Adam & Eve.
And along the way I will keep trying, keep auditioning against type...wanting to let the theatre world know what I am capable of...I hope it's as much as I think it is.
And someday, before it's too late, I will play Laura.
Thanks for listening, o blogging gods. :) Break a leg!
Laura is not a natural role for me. I am often cast as the ingenue because of my long hair and young face, as well as my ability to play a convincing twit. :) And I've loved many of the roles...Alice Sycamore (You Can't Take It with You), Gillian the Witch (Bell, Book & Candle), and Shelby & Annelle (Steel Magnolias).
But something unexpected happened in the summer of 2006. I'd just finished playing Nora in A Doll's House when I was cast as Wanda in The Baby Dance. My character was a hard, Southern, trailer trash pregnant woman selling her unborn child to a wealthy couple because she couldn't afford to raise the four kids she already had, much less a fifth. In short, a polar opposite of my normal persona, look, etc. I brightened my red hair to a garish shade and wore it up in a clippy...I bounced around with a fake belly and unflattering clothes, and it was far from a glamorous role. I got to be funny, crass, greedy, bitter, and tragic all at once. And after that, I was hooked. I wanted to actually ACT.
I'm not saying that I haven't been truly acting for my entire life, but it's much easier to be cute and funny and sweet onstage when you're cute and funny and sweet in real life. It's much harder to pretend to be unconcerned with your appearance, to let the chubby or the blemishes hang out, when in reality you strive for perfection.
After that, I knew that I wanted to balance myself out with more challenging roles. I got that opportunity again in November 2007 when I was cast as Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. That was another dream role...I just never thought I'd play it in my 20s. But I did...and again, the tied back hair and baggy dress...combined with not only NO make up but "age" make up (blue circles under the eyes, whitish lipstick, drawn on crows feet)...it was again difficult for me and my vanity. And pretending to play a religious, bitter, cold woman whose husband has had an affair...and then finding him again only to lose him...every night was a sob fest and I thought I was going to need therapy! But to play such a role...it was my privilege.
Going back to Glass Menagerie...I wanted to play Laura. Beneath that shy and tongue-tied girl is a woman who does have strength to deal with her mother, to banter with her brother, and to lose herself in her imaginary world. She's beautiful and tragic, and her still waters run deep.
Sitting through about 40 "Laura" auditions over 2 nights, I was struck by the fact that no one really seemed to understand her. Oh, they did shy and soft spoken just fine. They were awkward with The Gentleman Caller and brow beaten by Amanda. But there was no spine beneath their portrayals. No spark of life to make her interesting or layered. My friend Heather, who played Laura a few years ago, was the best audition easily. She understood the role. She will most likely win the role. And I'm happy for her because she's lovely and talented.
But back to me-hey! it's my blog! ;) I walked into the audition totally prepared...knowing everything I wanted to portray, having worked on my body language, expressions, motivations. I always dress as generically as possible for an audition...which generally means normal jeans, a plain shirt or sweater, simple earrings and flats. At 5'6, you'd be surprised at how many guys I tower over at an audition if I wear even the smallest heel! I always pin my hair back at the sides or wear a low ponytail so that my face can be seen.
I sat for 2 hours that first night. I got to read half a scene with a prospective Gentleman Caller. It went well, although I think she took one look at my bright hair and animated face and thought "absolutely not"...I'm not sure she listened to me. Or maybe she did and she just didn't see what she wanted.
I sat for an additional 2 hours the second night. I knew I couldn't make callbacks, so I'd asked permission to come again the second night of auditions, and let the director know if there wasn't time to read me that was ok. There was time to read me, but she opted not to...I think she'd already seen enough. Which evidently wasn't good enough.
I didn't get a callback, which is unusual for me but at least I appreciate not having my time wasted. And I am supremely disappointed. Yet another dream role slipping through my fingers. I only am sad because I didn't get a chance to fight for the role, to prove that I am more than just an ingenue. See, cause...I am not really the typical ingenue...due to my illness I haven't been a size 6 in years. And just because I look 23...well, I'll be 32 in December. So at some point I have to stake my claim with real roles, not just fluffy ones. They certainly won't last forever.
I will go back to playing Roz in Moon over Buffalo this weekend...a comedic ingenue role with an amazing cast that I love. And then I will tackle two fun roles at the NVTA festival this summer...one a terrifying Russian opera singer and the other, Eve...as in Adam & Eve.
And along the way I will keep trying, keep auditioning against type...wanting to let the theatre world know what I am capable of...I hope it's as much as I think it is.
And someday, before it's too late, I will play Laura.
Thanks for listening, o blogging gods. :) Break a leg!
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