This year promises a decent crop of shows, unlike TNV 2008 in which I acted rather than directed, mainly because the four plays were written by two of my dearest friends who happen to be extremely talented writers. I'm directing "Please, Mr. Postman", written by Jess, and starring Mr. Justin Thompson & Ms. Emily Candia. Last night's run still left some stuff to be desired, but overall I'm very pleased with how my actors have been doing and have no doubts that Thursday's opening will be utterly magical.
Working on TNV this year really has been a great experience (I say that now in the calm before the storm that is my mad-rush-to-finish-props-before-opening, so we'll see how I'm feeling in a couple of hours when the white spray painted props aren't drying fast enough (; ). I mean, don't get me wrong, I love acting, and watching these dress rehearsals each night just make me even more antsy to get onstage and perform, but it's also reminded me why I wanted to try directing in the first place.
(Here's my beautiful cast (: )Working with Justin & Emily as they find and strengthen the connections between their characters and themselves feels so cool! Like, one rehearsal in particular, my actors started crying after an exercise I had them try concerning good & bad memories; it was sad but also kind of awesome. Watching my actors truly connect with something real onstage is really a beautiful thing, and I have loved getting to be a part of their journeys.
I had said earlier, while writing my cast bio, that I was BSing the whole thing, as is custom, by saying I felt "blessed to have been granted this opportunity", but thinking back on what I've learned and felt during this past month and a half of directing "Postman", I really do feel very blessed, and I thank God for this opportunity. How many theatre students my age get to play lead roles, create original characters, write plays that actually have a chance to be produced, and direct shows for the public on a pretty much monthly basis? I think that as much as we all complain about CSUB and Bakersfield, we really are blessed with such wonderful opportunities to be able to take part in nearly every aspect of theatre as opposed to if we went to a bigger performing arts university where we'd be more likely to be shoved aside. So, all BSing aside, thank you, Lord, for letting me direct in this year's One Act Festival; it really has been wonderful.
mjl.
