Returning...To Bedford Falls

 As is our tradition (and, I'm sure a tradition for millions of others...), we watched Frank Capra's Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life today. It's rare when a film can "take you back" to the past, to a time years ago when a group of friends and strangers, family and partners joined together to put on a show.

It surprised me how many memories of a community theater production came rushing back...

Wonderful, beautiful memories.

I think at that point I had done either five of the past six Christmas shows, or six of the past seven...I lose count, but this one was different. Sure, we'd done several versions of Dicken's Christmas Carol, and we even tried,  Babes in Toyland, but this was new, new to us as performers and new to the theater. Lots of unknowns associated with that show. 

The film is so iconic--look up "Iconic" in the dictionary and you could see a picture of the title card. Before we started, I wondered how the theater would capture the joy, then near tragedy of the boys sliding on the ice, the high school dancers falling into the water, the portrayal of a man almost choosing to end his life, then showing his life redeemed.

It's quite a task.

The theater pulled it off beautifully. It's alway an honor to be part of any show, but that one--like the film--was unique. I love the above photo snapped by Bre Welsh, owner of Pepperfox Photography.

The show closed six years ago. Since then, much has changed. Two of the married couples in the cast are no longer married, one of the cast members got married and is now a father, and another young man just preposed to his fiancee. These are but a few examples. Each of us have had things change in our lives since we struck the stage--too many to keep track of--but the movie remains...

And so do the memories.

It's a special film. It was a special show. I hope they do it again so the performers, the crew, and especially, the audience can create new memories of their own. 

Merry Christmas, everyone. Here's to more angels getting their wings.

Sparking In The Dark...

A new tradition was born at our latest show. Before places were called several of the cast (and sometimes crew...) would gather in a darkened corner of the theater. Each of us would be given a Wintergreen, or Wint-O-Green Life Saver® and then told a list of specific instructions.

We were told to gather around in a circle to reduce the amount of light, and with an open mouth begin chomping down on the Life Saver and if you're lucky, you'll see sparks.

I know "sparking" meant something else long ago. It was fun to ask people go join us to go sparking. I tried to get sparks on video, but it didn't work. However, almost every time we did it, I saw several sparks from fellow cast members. No one knew, but after the first time I didn't chomp with everyone else. I just watched and enjoyed my Life Saver after the sparking session ended. It kind of hurt my teeth. But, truth be told, mine were usually the oldest set of teeth in the group.

Tonight we closed the show. I don't know if I'll be involved in any sparking events any time soon, but even if I don't, I'll look back on the last couple of week and smile. We had a lot of fun. So, here's a video of my attempt to capture the sparks. It's what we did the last couple of weeks.

A Simple Flip Of A Hat...

I've done a lot of shows over years and in many of them, I've been given hats as part of my various costumes. Now, I wear hats every day. I wear hats in the summer to avoid sunburns on the top of my head. I wear hats in winter to keep from freezing to death. And I wear hats in the spring and fall...just because.

So, there have been times when doing these shows when we have some down time. Some/most pull out their phones and do a little surfing/texting. I've been known to do that as well. But, give a guy a hat, and it just begs to be flipped.

Attempting a hat flip is sort of like standing atop a diving board and having everyone look at you before a big dive. It's not a lot of pressure, but there's some. Last week I was in the green room with a few from the cast and I thought I'd give it a try.

I'm not very good but I'm getting to the point where most of the time, the hat at least hits the top of my head. When I tried it a couple of times during intermission of one of our shows last week, a fellow cast member, Brian Hill took out his phone and began recording.

I tried once...failed.

I tried twice...failed.

I tried thrice...and did not fail.

A few clapped. Brian said, "I got it on video!" And he sent me the shot. It's short, but that's okay. He did catch the moment the hat floated down and landed squarely on the top of my head. 

Hats, at least the kind we wear in shows and the type men used to wear every day, are something I wish would make a return. I'd love to see men wearing fedoras, pork pie, bowlers, straw hats, Panamas, even top hats would be cool. I suppose the closest thing we have in our modern society would be a cowboy hat. I think trying to flip one of those would be a true test.

So, here's the flip. Thanks Brian for preserving the moment.

Chillin' At Chilis...

Life is full of traditions. All holidays are basically just officially recognized traditions. We follow traditions in our everyday lives as well. For those of us involved in shows at the Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, a tradition for cast and crew is to go to a local eatery after a show, usually on the weekends. Such was the case last Friday.

There are several places to eat near the theatre, but we usually end up at either Chili's or Iggy's (a local sports bar/restaurant. Both have spaces large enough for a part of twenty or more. Sure, we could go to Arbys and fill the place, but it seems after a night of performing and putting on a show, we'd rather go someplace with a somewhat expanded menu. Of course, we'd save money if we went to Arbys, but that doesn't seem to be what's most important to us after a show.

Which is a little silly, because, to me at least, hanging out with the cast and crew without the pressure of a show is the main reason for going. I usually don't order much due to my spartan (i.e. cheap...) ways. I'll see if my wife wants me to get anything for a late-night snack and if she does, I'll usually order that.

Some go more frequently--those kids who have a lot more free time and disposable income. Others never go at all. I took out my phone and snapped a few photos of those who came last Friday. And, as usual, I left early. I do enjoy hanging out with everyone and when the last curtain falls, I miss the times, not just on the stage, but at a restaurant table also.

Where are we going after the show next Friday? I don't know, but there's a good chance, it will be somewhere close.

Last Night's Theatre Dream...Or Nightmare

When you're in a show, you have a lot of time to get to know your fellow cast mates. There's time between scenes, time before the shows begin, and time after the shows to chat. Last week we opened It's a Wonderful Life at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville, Utah. Actors approach opening night differently. Some are anxious, some relaxed, all excited.

In a conversation I had with others in the show, some mentioned they actually dream about the show and about being on stage. I've done my share of shows, and I couldn't recall ever having a dream about a show, and if I did, I didn't remember it.

Last night changed that.

I actually dreamed about the latest show. It kind of freaked me out.

You know how dreams go. Details that seem so real and rational at the time, are confusing when recalled later. Here's what I remember about last night's dream. I was in a show--I can't say for sure it was the same show I'm now in, but it definitely could have been. Everyone back stage was getting after me because I kept forgetting the show, specifically, I kept missing my scenes. They got mad at me, telling me I should be on stage, but when I heard that, I was convinced I wasn't in that scene and shouldn't be on stage. They persisted and said I should. For the life of me, I couldn't remember what I was supposed to say when I went on stage.

"Where's your mailman costume?"

How did I know? I didn't even know there was a mailman in this version of It's a Wonderful Life (there isn't). I was so frustrated I couldn't remember any of my lines for the show to the point that I didn't even know what show we were doing.

If I wasn't having a dream, I would not worry about things like not knowing the lines to a show I didn't know or not being on stage when I wasn't supposed to be. But, because it was a dream, I didn't find fault in anyone by myself. I was convinced the only reason this play was a disaster was because of my age. I was just too old to do the show, to remember my lines, to remember the show at all.

I woke up frustrated at my inabilities. Of course, when reality reached my brain I realized--in real life--I wasn't missing lines or scene changes, I wasn't in the wrong play and I wasn't supposed to play a mailman. Glad it was a dream.

Send Me Your Bio...(The Smily Emoticon Means "PLEASE")

Anyone who's ever been in a theatrical production of any kind knows the gargantuan efforts that go on behind the scenes in order for the magic to happen on stage. There's costuming, set building, hours and hours of rehearsals. Literally thousands of decisions must be made between that first decision to actually do a show to it's final curtain call.

One of those many details is for the cast members to write and provide a short performer bio to print in the program. Not all shows do this, but if they print a program for the show, there's a good chance those who attned would like to know a little bit about the people they're watching on stage.

At least, that's what we performers and those who put on the show believe.

In our state (and culture...) there's a lot of shows being produced, a lot of community theater out there. Because there's so much, you usually get an eclectic group of people wanting to be on stage. There's kids--sometimes barely old enough to walk, Jr high and high school students who love performing, college kids--usually theater majors, parents, grandparents--it runs the gamut. And those differences can sometimes be seen in the bios they write and submit.

Those who are making theater their livelihood tend to include certain things, like their favorite roles, the shows they've done, and if they're attending college, they many times include that, too.

Some write short bios, some are funny, some serious. There's not a lot of space (usually...) to put in everything so you can't include everything. Many thank their friends, they thank those who chose them to be in the show, and especially their significant others.

I need to get mine written and submit it. It shouldn't take long. As I'm waiting to rehearse my scene and between memorizing my lines, I really ought to write it up and submit it. And if you come see our show this Christmas season, you'll see what decisions I ended up making.

It's Good To Be Busy...But To Be This Busy?

I am tired.

It's my fault, really. Each time something comes up, I've said I'd do it, I'd volunteer, I'd say yes.

And so I did.

And so I'm tired.

Don't get me wrong--I like being busy. I've been doing it for some time. Back when I got my undergraduate degree, I constantly had several jobs at once while a full-time student. I got married and have been fortunate enough to be employed almost the entire twenty-four years since.

Around the turn of the century, I started doing shows, community theater. Luckily, my kids liked doing the shows with me and it made for a fantastic parent/child experience (at least, for the parent--they kids have said they've enjoyed it too...). But doing a show takes time--a lot of time. You rehearse almost every day, except Sunday, for two months, then the show runs for another month. Once the show begins, that's when you actually get a break--you're only needed every other night. Still, I've made life-long friends and wonderful experiences from these shows. I'd hate to think of turning them down just because I was busy.

Then around ten or twelve years ago, I started writing. I'd always dabbled, but I thought I'd take the craft to a more serious level. Now, being a writer means you're always "busy." You're never not busy because either you're writing, or you feel you should be writing--both can be somewhat stressful. But the rewards can be amazing!

To improve my skills I decided to return to college after fifteen years and get my masters degree. In a couple of years I donned a black robe and was given my diploma. I did this while I worked full-time, kept writing, and even doing shows.

Crazy, right?

Probably.

Since I graduated I've still kept writing (not as much as I want...), worked full-time, and done several part-time jobs. The part-time jobs are for fun and because it was needed. And the shows--there always seems to be another show out there.

So, why am I tired now? Right now, along with my job, I have a part-time job on the weekends. My son and I work at a Halloween show at Lagoon, the amusement park by our house. I'm also in a play we'll put on in December--I'm playing three characters and need to memorize my lines. And each day I need to find something worthy of a blog post as well as post a daily picture, which means also finding something interesting to photograph.

And this is only October. November's going to be nuts!

In November I've decided to write a novel--I'll need to write about 2000 words a day while working, getting ready and starting the Christmas show, and blogging everyday. Thankfully, the part-time job will be done so I should have good writing opportunities on Friday and Saturday.

Again, I'm not complaining even though it sounds like I am. I know I've been busier, but I've never been this busy and a half century old before. We'll see what happens.

Taking Pictures And Memorizing Lines While On A Walk...

When I got home I decided to get in a little exercising by taking a walk around my neighborhood. I took with me two things, my camera, and the script to the next show I'm in.

I went on a photowalk while memorizing my lines.

If you ever decide to do the same thing, let me give you some advice. Walking on public roads--roads without sidewalks--requires a level of attention sufficient so as not to injure oneself. Carrying a camera and a binder can be hinder one's concentration. Fortunately for me, I was able to successful walk around the block, take pictures, and go through my lines. It was a little awkward at times holding my script in one hand while holding up my camera, focusing and taking pictures with the other.

Of course, I could have left the camera at home. I would then not have captured my "Pic Of The Day" that I need. If I did that I would have been able to concentrate more on the words.

I could have also left the script at home. I might have taken more time looking for and talking pictures of interesting things. But I would not have missed an opportunity to practice the twenty or so lines I have in the upcoming production.

There is a third option--I could have left both the camera and the script at home and just enjoyed the beauty of nature while getting a little exercise.

But where's the fun in that?

Exactly!

My Own Little Editing Studio...

Tonight I had a problem, a technical problem. I needed to take three sections from a movie I downloaded on iTunes and make three clips I could watch over and over again.

You might think, "how hard can that be?"

Turns out, it wasn't all that hard, but it just took a while to figure out.

I bought It's a Wonderful Life the other day because I've been cast as Sam Wainwright, George Bailey's obnoxious, yet misunderstood friend in Centerpoint Legacy Theatre's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Sam's not in that many scenes so I found the three scenes where Sam has the most lines and noted the times they come up on the film.

The problem I ran into is I can't just copy the film. I tried taking screenshots from my phone, but each time they came up completely blank. I can only assume it's because I bought it from the iTunes Store.

So, I needed to film the film from one camera to another. I ended up using my new SLDR (that has video capability...) and I recorded as my iPhone played the movie. I used an audio cord so the sound would be heard on the camera doing the filming.

It's not the best quality, but I can now watch--or, more importantly--listen to Sam's lines so I can hopefully memorize them easier. And because my phone and camera were all hooked up, I used my iPad to take the picture of my little editing studio.