neothespian

Well, there is at least one good part about being stuck in the off-season out of work: I get to try stuff I don't usually have time for during the season, such as auditioning for shows as an actor and not as a tech.

I got into the tech production of theater for two very good reasons: One, I was good at it. Two, because I had become very accustomed to eating regularly.

But, in the constant search for paying gigs and shows that would balance out my need to keep the bill collector at bay and the landlord happy while still providing an artistic outlet my interest in acting as a primary source of income has, these days, been relegated to a glorified hobby. The problem is that my resume for technical production is quite impressive, and my acting resume... not so much. So, when I heard a colleague of mine doing this far-out 50's Sci-Fi/Morality film play called "Frogwoman", I just had to bite.

The synopsis is thus: A superstar of screen underwater-themed mega blockbusters, Frogwoman has just unveiled her newest and most critically acclaimed work: "Atlantis". To celebrate, her and her Producer (who has made a career off of keeping her surgically altered to look as much as a Mutant frog woman while doping her up with pills and electro-shock therapy to keep her lucid) head out for a night on the town, only to get into a car accident allowing Frogwoman to be set on her own. While away from her handlers, she slowly comes out of the years long drug induced fog to discover her entire life has been a manipulated lie and is off to find her true self! Meanwhile, her Producer upon awaking from the accident becomes psychotic with rage and vows to kill Frogwoman for leaving him. Misadventure follows with a parade of equally-psychotic fans, manipulative plastic surgeons, loathsome and maniacal amphibiopsycologists and true love all lead to a dizzying end that is worthy of the best cautionary films of the 50's

So, what does this play have to do with me? Well, he already had a stage manager when I heard about this, which was kind of a bummer since that is what I "do". So, on a whim (and because I am still very under-employed at my other theater due to the off season and the fact that much of our work comes from the university we're affiliated with) I decided to say "why the hell not" and audition for a role! I have the same education if not more than most actors in the valley, but not the extensive resume for performance since I make my living making the shows work behind the scenes. But, the director Frank was happy to give me a chance and I not only read well during the first audition, but made it to callbacks and read equally confidently.

Long story short: I FINALLY get to play to my mad-scientist within! I landed the role of the amphibiopsycologist!!! I'm very excited since this is a show that is just quirky enough to get my attention without being that "underground indie theater preachy" that seems to suck many good arts shows down. This is meant to be as crazy as it sounds, and will be a total challenge for all the actors to play it SO serious that it looks the real deal of 50's sci fi!!!

I will be posting more info on show times as I get it, but this is just the beginning! And it means on the side I'll finally get to make some cool 50's sci-fi props as well