It's been almost 3 years since I spent an entire day dedicated to rehearsing theatre that wasn't a weekend. It's been almost 3 years since I could call my job acting. It's been almost 3 years since I've felt as completely fulfilled as I have for the last 4 weeks.
I get to wake up every day and do what I love and nothing else. Now that's not to say that I shouldn't be doing something else on the side. I'd certainly be making more money. But I wanted to know what it would feel like to only do theatre. It makes me feel poor in money, but rich in soul. It's a truly beautiful thing.
The reason it's so beautiful is because I've been given the gift of an extraordinarily brave cast. Everyday we go to new places to uncover the heart of this amazing piece of literature. There's something incredibly redeeming about the characters in Frankenstein--their hope, perseverance through despair, and the ability to know love. It's one of the most challenging plays I've come across because of the sheer depth of the story. It's written to show every up and down because the plot is centered around love. I highly recommend rereading the book before coming to see this one. It will only enhance the play.
Now I've been MIA for a few months, and it's because I've been busy with this show. You'd think after a month of rehearsals I'd have a lot to say--and I do! But I don't want to say half of it for fear of ruining your personal reaction to the piece.
I will say that for me it has been a month of 'profound labor', as Victor Frankenstein would say. A month of death and despair. A month of love and discovery. But mostly it's been a month of chapstick. If you're interested in experiencing the amount of chapstick I've bought and used in the last month, I encourage you to come watch the show, opening February 15th. Remember to imagine running the scenes multiple times in one day and I'm sure you'll understand soon enough.
If you want to take a look at some promotional footage, you can see it here.
I can say that there hasn't been a single moment I haven't been having fun. And I couldn't be more excited to be opening soon and giving this show to the audiences of Seattle. It's been a great gift to have worked so hard with such a talented cast and crew, and I hope to do it many more times here and many other places. This show has retaught me what theatre is all about, and how important an experience it is to live through.
In other news, I've also seen a lot of shows and movies recently!
1. The Equation by Theatre 9/12
2. Black Like Us by Annex Theatre
3. A Great Wilderness by Seattle Rep
4. The Hounds of the Baskerville by Seattle Rep (which I saw in December but don't think I mentioned)
5. The Foreigner by Village Theatre
Of course, now that I'm not doing Fringe theatre I suddenly understand how unavailable an actor becomes when you want to see your friends' shows. Because of my crazy rehearsal schedule I can't catch everything I want to. But I'm so happy to have so many successful friends who are taking this theatre town by storm! Congratulations to everyone on their shows!
