Being An Actor

That's the title of Simon Callow's book: Being An Actor. It was reccomended by an instructor for my Theatre Capstone class, so I bought it and began reading it while I was running the light board for The Distance from Here tonight. It's an interesting book in which Mr. Callow shares his comments on the world of theatre through his own journey. He holds nothing back and is completely honest - even with the most intimate details. This book is very provacative but yet completely agreeable. I - as well as any performer - can connect with this book: the akward situations between director and actor, the great joys and triumphs through job offers, etc. I'm only partially in and am very much enjoying it. I love getting the back story on British and Irish theatre in the 80's as well. It's very interesting to read about the deplorable state of Belfast when Simon Callow toured through there. It's very comforting, in a way, to know that people need theatre - that they will cling to it and feed from it even in times of great pain and suffering. So to anyone that reads this blog - actors and non-actors alike: go and read this book!

So anyway, in my last post I said that I would remark on the run through of The Distance from Here the following day. Obviously that didn't happen. I have been so busy with everything the past few days that we're now two performances deep into the run. But I will comment now, none-the-less. It's a very well done show. I like the script, not because it's happy or feel-good, but because it's very deep. I learn something new about the characters every night upon seeing the show. The way lines are worded and the actions that they juxtapose. It all makes for a very deep script - like a Hemmingway novel: good writing is only like the tip of the iceberg. And that's definitley true for Neil LaBute's character's in Distance. The cast does a good job. There are three Equity cast members in this show as it's the production in conjunction with Wooly Mammoth Theatre for the year. They do a brilliant job. James Garder as Darrell does an excellent job bringing the gritty wit and narcissism of his character to the stage. I totally get wrapped up in his performance when I watch him. He's so intense in this role, so wildly thoughtful. I can almost see the thoughts racing through his head. I met Tim Getman, the man who plays Rich, the step-dad, tonight on the Metro after the show. He's a really nice guy, reminded me a lot of Mike Ostroski from Barter. It's such an extreme shift in character seeing him in real life. He does such a great preformance being the asshole husband that I almost felt guilty at how nice he was. So kudos to him. Kudos to the entire cast. They've all worked really hard and it shows through. I'm very privelleged to be working on this show.