You Can't Take it With You

[innerSpaceman]

There are no small parts, only small actors.

With that heart of yours three sizes too large, there can be nothing small about you.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Congrats!

[blueerica]

Indeed, congratulations are in order, and as soon as you get over your Norma Desmond moment, you'll be fine with it all, I'm sure...

[Gemini Cricket]

I didn't want to start a new thread about this so here goes.

Tonight is our first rehearsal and usually I'm really, really excited about it. It's the anticipation of meeting new people, fresh material, creating a character etc.

This time around, I'm feeling kind of blah about it. First time ever. That makes me worry. Should I worry? I'm feeling a classic symptom of depression and I'm kinda beating myself up about it. 'Loss of interest.'

I'm feeling like such a mess.

[wendybeth]

Wait until after the rehearsal before you start smiting yourself, GC. (That almost sounds obscene, doesn't it?) Just because you're not feeling the usual thrill prior doesn't mean you won't, and if you are feeling down perhaps this might be the very thing to help bring you back up. If not, then maybe it will at least help take your mind off things for a while. You'll have to try and get an in-costume pic for us, okay?


Lovely goat, Gn2.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

usually I'm really, really excited about it. It's the anticipation of meeting new people, fresh material, creating a character etc.

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I got cast playing an eccentric older man. I love character parts, but I'm realizing I can't play characters of a certain age any more.
I'm old.

Sounds like you just are not that happy about this part, nothing wrong with that.

If you are doing this as a job for the money then you just need to go there smile and make the best of it. Work in just about any line of business has crap you don't want to do that's why it's called work. You just need to do the job well, network with everyone you meet and hopefully due better next time.

If you are doing this as a hobby, then you might want to reassess if this is what you are looking for.

In any case best of luck.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Hey GC! Some shows are like that, you just show up, be pleasant and helpful backstage, and do the job they hired you for onstage. The worst thing I can do as an actor is spread my discontent amongst the cast. Take The Sound of Music, for instance. We have a lackluster cast in many of the roles, a director who fusses about details of costumes and hair, but leaves entire scenes unblocked, and a Frau Zeller who needs to double-check with the director everytime I put in some bit of business not specifically blocked (which is ALL of my business). When the show opens on Wednesday, and the house is full of happy oldsters enjoying a favorite show, all these things will cease to matter. We're not going for a Tony (tony, tony, tony), we're providing a service. I try to keep that as my main focus backstage as well. I know the producer wanted me in this show because not only will I bring my best performance onstage, but, as an experienced actor, I can be a friction reducer backstage. I get to provide an example to the kids, and some of the less experienced cast members, of how to behave, how to help each other with quick changes, etc., how to have fun, and, most of all, how to leave my ego at the door.

Have fun tonight, Mr. DePinna! Get to know your new closest friends for the next couple months. You get to be, if you so choose, the actor that the director doesn't have to worry about.

[Gemini Cricket]

Once I'm face to face with my castmates, I'm totally professional. I'm one of those low maintenance actors. (Believe it or not.) I don't take Depression Brad into the theatre with me, ever. I always 'put on a happy face'. But what worries me is that this is the first time I haven't been excited to do a show. I know everyone will be cool and that I'll have a great time, but I'm so blah about it right now... Bleh. It's not the part, either. I think it'll be a cool part...
Tonight will be fun...

[MouseWife]

Bradley, Bradley, Bradley. *sigh*

I haven't read all of this thread, just the last ones {where you said you didn't want to start a new thread...}

Of course, I pick up on what I personally want to, so, please remember that when you read this.

I picked up:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket:

"I got cast playing an eccentric older man. I love character parts, but I'm realizing I can't play characters of a certain age any more.
I'm old..."

Oh, fellow Piscean. Doesn't one have a birthday coming up? Now, I am totally putting you in my shoes {don't worry, they aren't too high } but I also have a birthday coming up. And, I have also had some birthdays that left me feeling...ahem...old.

Oh, the pain! Could this be part of what ails you? I mean, I know I personally try and shrug off that nagging voice 'That hot young man is right about your DAUGHTERS age!!!' or 'He is comparing you to his mother....'

But that is me. I think your voice might be saying something else. Or nothing?

Either way...tell it to shut the heck up!!

Why oh why is 'Laverne and Shirley' running through my head...{imagining them, trying to lift one anothers spirits}

'Just what makes that little old ant, think he can move that rubber tree plant. Everyone knows an ant, can't, move a rubber tree plant but he's got High hopes, he's got, high hopes. He's got, high apple pie in the sky hopes.'

That's all I got.

Kick booty, GC!!!!

[wendybeth]

I'm sure all the wonderful winter weather doesn't help, either. We got socked with some snow last night and it kind of sent me into a bummed state- I was hoping that little gopher was wrong. (Furry little bastard).

You'll have fun, GC- and you are still very much a young man, so don't stress about all that stuff. Every actor goes through this, and the great ones own their age and use it to their advantage. Or, they get really good at lying about it- which is also acting, right?