Hamlet, Kaput.

And thus, Hamlet came to a close. It was our final show and I have to say I'm a little glad of it. I very much liked all my fellow actors, and I'm proud of the show we put up but I'm ready to put it to rest.
I learned a great deal through this production. especially about Shakespeare. You forget how much you're missing 'til you really immerse yourself in it for a long time. The First Folio Technique our director offered was quite helpful but I think I need to study it more in depth to get the full capacity of what it has to offer. And truly, listening to others delivery speeches and dialogue did more wonders for me than most classroom-style instructionreally could. I'm a bit of an aural learner so hearing the text is best.
I was forced to grow a beard for the show. And when I say beard I mean full on total beard. All the men grew one, except Hamlet. Despite the compliments I have received, I can't wait to shave it off. My girlfriend has promised me a hot lather shave, so momentarily I will be searching the region for a barbershop open on Sunday.
During the night I had a nigtmare we were doing the show again. Sort of. Not evern really doign it again but just fooling around, doing entrances and exits, joking around but I was sick of it. It was dark and it was 4 in the morning and I had no idea why we couldn't go home and sleep. I have but one more obligation with the show, that being the End of the Season Barbeque. And then Hamlet is truly over.
I thought I heard a train this morning when I woke up. I like to imagine it was the train Hamlet rode out on.

I had an audition yesterday for an upcoming production of Lear. It was a little odd in that the director was in Lithuania and attended the audition via webcam. But he was excellent and putting you at ease about the situation and offered excellent direction. I first delivered my prepared monologue and he gave me high praise. I had originally been given sides for Fool and Edmund, but he told the people running the audition to give me Edgar sides. I did some preparing in the hall, came in to read some more, and scored myself a callback. Just the few details about the show I have heard trickle out make it out to be something I would be very excited to be a part of.
Call backs in not quite two weeks

I have to say I was really down and out about Hamlet. I felt like the only one who struggled through the whole process. I got very few compliments or notes which gave me no real clue as to if I was on the right track or not. I began to think of myself as quite a bit less of an actor. But friends who saw the show were rich with compliments despite my minimal stage time and some cast memebers told me there favorite part was a bit in the play where I play a major role. All of this has done me great good.
I feel like I can run with the big dogs again and feel ready to take on the world a bit. I can't wait for the generals to come back around.

Returns

I once again, neglect this dear old thing. So updates, posthaste.

First and foremost results from auditions:
So I got into Hamlet. However not as Rosencrantz or Guildenstern. And not as Laertes either. I'm playing a bunch of small roles (if I remember correctly Luciano, Reynaldo, Player Prologue, and a Priest). But I think this will give me a chance to show people what I can do with the language. As my dear friend always says "There are no small parts, just small actors." And while that may seem like a pretty cliche aphorism, I found it's true. I got a lot of compliments on the very small role I played in Battle of the Bard. A 20 minute show where I'm sure I had 10 lines or less.
I will make something of this fantastic opportunity. I will enamor directors to me.

***

In other news I am part of the most amazing show ever. It's called Lease and it's an improvised musical. It's sort of based on Rent, so at the top show we get a suggestion of an afflicition that can affect an entire community (not AIDS) and something iconic to Seattle (not the Space Needle). The music is amazing and everyone in the cast is fantastic. I can't remember the last time I was this excited for and proud of a show. I have nothing but the highest remarks. Here's the website: http://www.wingitpresents.com/lease/. There you can find trailers, dates, times, bios, photos, the whole enchilada.

I am so damn proud of this show. See it if you know what's good for you.

The Callback Kid

And ever onwards...

It was callback-o-rama this weekend. Or rather Sunday, mostly. After an early rehearsal with Neutrino I raced out to Magnuson Community Center where I called back for Guildenstern in Greenstage's production of Hamlet. And the director asked me to stick around and read as Laertes which was a pleasent surprise. I read each scene only once but got the feeling this wasn't really a detriment to my chances. The director seemed very shrewd and keen to what she was looking for in her play and I really got the feeling just from seeing me read a scene or two she knew exactly where I may (or may not) fit in her concept. Which was refreshing.

I then raced to the East side for a callback for a dinner theater. Well, not just a dinner theater, a murder mystery dinner theater. Actually to be percise, a musical murder mystery dinner theater. I know. It harkens me back to my Musical Mafia Play days. This was without a doubt the strangest callback I have ever been attended. Details to be blogged at a later date.

After my foray into dinner theater (well, musical murder mystery dinner theater) I raced back to Magnuson to read for Fabian in Twelfth Night. The callback was fast and furious (but not like the movie (can you believe there's 3 of them?!).

Tonight was my Wooden O, which I think went all right. I was asked what I thought my age range was, which is a question I've only ever been asked on forms or discussed when talking about type. It was just strange to talk about it in an actual casting situation. I said 18-29. Maybe more with a beard. You can let me know if you feel otherwise.

Also this week, I have my orientation with the company which might be my representation in the very near future. They saw me at TPS at invited me to an orientation/audition. Details to follow.