I love the theatre. I do. Which is good, because I'm spending a lot time there these days. And will be until February, with all the shows I have lined up. And I'm grateful for it. Truly.
But I'm also tired. And feeling a bit frustrated. Because driving 45 minutes to rehearse the first act of a show that has me on stage for about 5 minutes... well, it's exhausting. And a bit wasteful. And unfulfilling.
I've frankly never bought into the old adage that there are no small parts, only small actors. There are both, and they do not always go hand in hand. I have seen enormous actors in small parts, and small actors in enormous parts.
Am I being a small actor for being frustrated with a string of small parts?
(the currently running show being an exception, of course, but then... well, don't even get me started on small audiences)
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Hopefully Little Mary Sunshine will return soon. Thanks for allowing me a wee bit of venting. And trust me, this IS a wee bit. This post was much longer and much more ranting and "woe is me" as I thought it through in my head on that 45 minute drive home.
***
clarification: I am on stage quite a bit during the second act, playing 2 different parts in several scenes. But the nights that we only run the first act... And it's frustrating because I'm feeling like I've been doing this for so long, and have a degree in theatre, but with all the moving and the whatever I'm feeling like just when I start to get ahead... I'm sick and tired of "paying dues." Dude, I paid my dues in Philly... and then again in Los Angeles... and again... and again... and crud. there I go starting the longer rant...
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22 comments:
i've always felt that rehearsals should be arranged to waste as little of people's time as possible.
I really don't think I would be able to do it. The traveling 45 minutes to practice every night for 5 minutes on stage, I mean. That is just too much. You have every right to be frustrated.
I think you have a perfect right to be frustrated. It's not small.
People without small children and a family to run just do not get it, mostly. I used to be with an organization that scheduled dinner meetings so that people could meet after work and before they went home. Which meant I had to get my preschoolers covered off, leave dinner for them and their dad, and get downtown in rush hour.
I think you have a perfect right to snarl and boy, do I sympathize.
Vent away hon.
That does sound frustrating. Arg.
I hear you on the tired bit, too. And the need to vent. It's good to vent in this space. You certainly don't do it often. (Perhaps it's because I'm feeling cranky and overloaded myself, but I'm happy to see this side of you, too.)
Vent away, Mama. It's your space!
Hang in there...
Nothing wrong with a good rant. We all need it every once in a while.
And I hate rehearsals like that, too. Drives me batty. But hang in there...:)
It does us all good to rant periodically.
rant away my dear, we all need to some times!
Please vent. It will make me feel more normal if you do.
vent baby, vent
you ridiculous diva.
babe! i'm so kidding. i love you. i just wanted to say "ridiculous diva" because you are talking about theater. it sounds lame, that racket. super lame.
PS. i've noticed i am all of a sudden frequently using the word super. it's weird. super weird. see?
I can understand your frustration. Can you bring a book or a hobby or something? So the time feels less wasted? That said, I'm impressed you can get up on a stage!
I know this feeling for different reasons and it sucks the air out at times. But remember this, even though it might be a smaller part, to me you seem like such a successful person. Keep putting yourself out there - it will happen in time.
It sounds like you have a right to be frustrate... all that travel for 5 minutes of rehearsal time? Maybe you should talk to the director so you don't have to travel so much until they're rehearsing the second set when you'll be on stage more.
Vent away Girl! Hey, it is YOUR blog after all, if you can't vent here, where else can ya do it?
Ugh, I hope things look brighter soon!
No, there are definitely small parts. And it's hard to spend time away from the family that you don't feel is being used well. I'm hoping I don't encounter this when I start my show next month. I have a smaller part (in a cast of four, though) It could work out great, if the director plans the rehearsals well - I don't want to miss out on family time. Or, it could be really annoying. I hope it's the former. Rant on. I'll listen.
Vent! It is good for you.
I keep editing and deleting blog posts in which I vent (not nearly as thoughtfully as you do) about the parts I've been assigned to play. And, as you know, I'm not even an actor.
Vent away PM, vent away.
Sorry to not be by sooner. The children's book series combined with all the drama at my house has kept me a bit player in the blogosphere. You would be more that all right to resent my small audience showing of late.
Also, to keep you in the loop, the class will be doing the Irish play by a vote of 7 to 2. Another actor has been found and calm seems to have settled.
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