Drama Major Update: Question to Fellow Insane Actors

[thehefner]

The Cherry Orchard. Followed by Macbeth, two weeks later. Think about that. Two weeks. Both major (if not titular) roles. Two weekends apart from one another. Spring semester.

I would be required to do Cherry Orchard because my performance thesis requires me to do a faculty-directed show, since the professors need to see how I approach a role through the rehearsal process. I'm actually guaranteed a major (thesis-worthy) role in the show. I'm virtually pre-cast. The thing is, even though it's required and yeah, even though I really dislike the play itself, I KNOW there are distinct benefits to come from being in that show. The opportunity to play a straight role for once instead of my "Look at me! I'm John Hefner! I'm LOUD! BWEEEE!" role is nothing to shirk at.

But then again, neither is the chance to play MAC-FUCKING-BETH. And I'm gonna discuss this with Heather, but at this point, uh, it's looking pretty damn good that I have a seriously good chance at landing that role. And the benefits of the first show aside, there are SO MANY MORE reasons I can think of why I'd want to have that role instead. Or at least, as well.

Right now, there are so many warning signs going up. Does anybody here have input on the matter? I know some of you have done similar insane things in your acting careers. And bear in mind, it's college too, not community theater, so we're all in a smaller community. Every warning sign is telling me this is a bad idea. But the actor in me will never forgive myself if I turn down the chance to play Macbeth. Especially if it would be in favor of a play like The Cherry Orchard.

I think I've already made up my mind on the matter, but if any actors here have any words of wisdom in the matter, by all means, share. Who knows, maybe sanity will prevail. Oh wait, I'm an actor, of course it won't.

Comments

A Test of Reality

[chickenhat.livejournal.com]

In the "real world", actors sometimes have to take roles they don't like, in order to pay the bills, build the resume, etc... sometime 2 roles at once.

Is your goal to play the role, to learn more of the craft, or to build a resume? Your biggest worry should be scheduling conflicts.

I personally think you should jump at Cherry Orchard, as a challenge to see if you can bring something to it to MAKE it interesting in spite of itself. If you really think you can handle the big M at the same time, then go for it, we'll miss seeing you around because you WILL be in rehearsals ALL THE TIME.

More on the Madness of Tawes!

[(Anonymous)]

Well, I can tell you how it will go should you decide to do both and all goes as it very likely will.

You go in, and audition. And get both the parts you have in mind. The triumph of this will be only slightly marred by the facts of reality, which at this point have little or no bearing on present events. Then rehearsals will start. At first, things will be fine. Then, the schedule will start to back up. All of a sudden, you're getting evil glares from not one, but two stage managers, whose neat little schedules you are making difficult. The one for Heather's show will be particularly vehement, knowing that TM's show takes priority and there's nothing she can do about it.

Tech weeks will creep closer. You'll stop sleeping, struggling to finish homework and wondering what the hell inspired you to take French again anyway. Things like eating and showering will become a frivolity. You will be John Hefner, the walking dead. You enter into tech week for Cherry Orchard, and be up until at the very least one in the morning every night, and all the while Heather is giving you looks in no uncertain terms because the damn Shakespearean lines aren't coming out in the right order, and the Russian stuff is looking pretty shaky too. Scottish accents are no longer funny. Neither is absinthe.

Cherry Orchard will go up, and you will have six curtain calls, although the last four or so may have been hallucinations. You will think this is a milestone, and the rest will be as easy as pie. It isn't.

Heather's show enters into tech week. You're up until two in the morning these days, and one morning you wake up and find you can remember every single line, except it's all in French. No one knows how this happens, but everyone tells each other the show must go on. Dress rehearsal arrives. Just before you go on, all the lines come back to you in English, but because this is the Scottish Play, there will be several backstage and onstage accidents, including the Tawes bat flying into Lady Macbeth's hair and your kilt falling off in the middle of "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow." After Blue Surge, however, this prospect holds no fear for you.

Somehow, you make it through Macbeth, and are home free. You stumble into your dorm room and fall into bed, determined not to move for the rest of the week. A part of you wonders why you go through it. Another part does the John Hefner dance, deep down inside, singing its own little ditty that goes something like: "I did it! I did it! And thank God Almighty, I am free at last!" This part, however, is crushed like a delicate butterfly by the oncoming train of oblivion, as the adrenaline you've been running on for the past few weeks comes and demands payback, with interest.

If you can put up with this, then yes, John. Do both shows. But if you think you can escape the Madness of Tawes, think again. It will be coming for you.

Snuggles,
Val

Re: More on the Madness of Tawes!

[(Anonymous)]

On the bright side, the new Hefner Monologue entitled "And It Turns Out the Last Four Were Hallucinations" will be a huge success.

Val

[surrealname.livejournal.com]

Hef, on the one hand i think you probably could pull of both plays, on the other hand, i'm fucking insane and the fact that i think you can pull it off probably means don't do it.