Give Thanks...Being Asked To Help

I found this picture from a outdoor lighting website. I was looking for a theater marquee. Why? Because I was asked to audition for a show. The auditions were yesterday and I turned it down.

It breaks my heart.

Even though I've only been part of one theater community, I imagine it's the same if I lived in Boise, Fort Wayne, or Bangor Maine...the theater community is family. And you do for family, including help out and sacrifice.

I began my community theater career in the summer of 2000. My son (who was five-years old at the time...) and I decided to audition for A Christmas Carol. We made the cast two weeks in, the show was changed to Scrooge. We did the show, loved it, and returned the next year and did the same show again. Since 2000, I've been involved in perhaps twenty community theater productions as either an entertainer or director. It's been a huge part of my life, but things have changed...

Things always change.

I think because I was reliable (and less because of my talent...), I have several times been asked to either audition, or to replace someone in a show already in production. Almost every time, I've stepped up and helped. Some of my most prized memories are from those shows. I've made life-long friends and had experiences I'll cherish forever.

I remember in one of my last community theater productions, a cast member made the decision that this would be his last show. I remember hearing him say the words, and I couldn't believe it. How could such a talented performer just walk away? I asked him during one of those times when it's just him and me and he explained that he wanted to spend more time with his family and his business. He didn't say he would "never" do another show, but he just didn't see it happening. To my knowledge, I believe he's kept his word.

The request to audition for a Christmas show came last week. Amazingly, it's for the same production of A Christmas Carol that my son and I auditioned for twenty-three years ago and directed by someone from that original production in 2000. I LOVE that show, the music is wonderful, the people in the theater organization are simply the best, but I'm twenty-three years older now. Plus, I no longer live ten minutes from the theater.

Theater is family, and I feel like I'm letting my family down. They'll audition incredible actors for the roles and audiences will love what they've done with the story. It will literally change people's lives. I'm honored as ever, to be asked to come and audition, and it hurts to decline, but perhaps the greatest pain come from the realization that one day--and perhaps it's already happened--the requests to audition, the asking for help, will stop. I'm grateful to have been asked. I'm grateful for the trust others put in me with each show, each situation. I'm a better man for it.

Like my fellow cast member said, I'm not saying "never again" but I just wonder if there will be another time when I'll say, "Yes."

You Should Audition For "Pirate Of Penzance"...You Know You Want To!

 Oh, to be in a show again. Alas, it is not meant to be, at least, not for me right now.

But, if you're looking for a show in which to participate, I know just the one...

The Pirates of Penzance.

Of course, you need to be in the Greater Salt Lake City area, and available to be in a show this coming April and May, and want to do the show, naturally.

Here is the audition information from the top photo:

Auditions will be open to everyone aged 16+. They will be held on January 28th our Studio stage at 3601 S. State Street, located just north of the main theatre.

Callbacks will be held January 30th in the evening by invitation. Auditioners will be notified through email given.

Auditioners should prepare 16 bars of music in the style of song fitting for the piece. 
An accompanist will be provided.

We are accepting video auditions but strongly prefer to see you in person! Send all video auditions to auditions@parkertheatre.org

You can set up an audition time by going to the website: HERE.

I've never done a show at the Parker Theatre (you can find out about the theatre by clicking: HERE...), although, I might have seen a film at the Avalon. I know I drove past it several times. Even though I've never done as show at the Parker, I've worked for the show's Music Director, Dr. Anthony Buck. If you've worked with him in the past, you know what an adventure (a good kind...) it can be. If you haven't, well...you ought to give it a shot.

I was fortunate enough to be in The Pirates of Penzance two years before covid hit and Anthony was our Music Director. It's an amazing show with so many wonderful parts.

Check out the show and audition. After all, the world needs more art...might as well be the one to provide it.

When So Many Are Hurting...

When a community is small, you either know someone, or if you don't, everyone you know knows them. And when tragedy hits, it hits hard. So many words have been shared, and behind each word, a tear has fallen, memories shared, hearts broken.

Since yesterday I read post after post, and all contained the same message, shock, devastation, an impossible attempt to understand the loss, understand how it could have happened. When lights are extinguished--especially young flames that burn so bright--we question the reality we thought we understood. We look at life through a different perspective, one of pain, of confusion, of inexplicable sorrow.

We have all lost ones we love. It's the part of life we don't necessarily celebrate. I've noticed something as I've attended funerals and memorials over the years. The pain we feel is a direct correlation to the joy we've felt because of the person we knew. The greater the joy, unfortunately, the greater the pain.

We've been told to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to cast away,

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.

Now we weep, and mourn. It's only because previously we've laughed and danced, embraced and loved. Now it is a time to heal. Soon will be a time of peace. 

It is the way of all things. Sleep well. little one--may your bright flame never die.