I immediately began looking into ways to get on stage, and found the Scriptwriters 10x10s at the behest of my good friend Hector Luna, who introduced me to the Houston film community to begin with. I found out when the auditions were going to be held at the Country Playhouse, and after setting up an audition time with Christine Weems, I began looking up notes for effective cold readings of scripts in preparation.
Once the day came for auditions, it was a round-robin of going in the theater before the various directors and reading a variety of parts for a variety of plays with a plethora of actors and actresses, many of whom were very, very good. I enjoyed the interplay between them and myself during the auditions and made sure to apply what I'd learned from watching Lee and Lawrence in my interactions with each, so that my performances were subtly different based on who I was playing against. Once I'd read for several parts, Christine said that I was done for the day, and that she would be emailing me to let me know if I was chosen for any of the parts. I felt confident that I'd done my absolute best, and had a wonderful time in the process, so I said "Thank you" and headed out.
Within days, I received two emails for parts I was selected for, one being Bobby Ackerman in the play "Waiting in the Lost and Found", and Nerve in the play "Body Politics". I began reading over the scripts and loved both of them, and more than anything loved the fact that both parts were completely opposite from each other, which meant that two different directors saw me being capable of playing two completely different parts. I relished the opportunity to show that I could do both, and do them both very well.
The first day of rehearsals for both was a conflict, because they were both being held within two hours of each other and were on different sides of Houston, so I got to the "Waiting..." rehearsal wayyy late after leaving the "Body Politics" rehearsal. My fellow actors Erin and Marc were gracious, but I knew they had to be miffed at having to wait so long for me, so I wanted to make sure I went above and beyond in the rehearsal to make up for it. The rehearsal went well, and the future rehearsals, I made sure to be on time, if not early (as much as my music schedule allowed, that is).
Finally, came Tech Week (which is where the crew at the theater has all the plays go thru their entire shows, while the crew works out the lighting, curtains, timing of each show, etc) and the chance to really run thru our shows on the main stage where we'd soon be performing for audiences. I have never been shy or afraid of the stage due to growing up singing in churches, talent shows, malls, and pretty much just about anywhere else I could find an audience, so I welcomed the opportunity. Due to the awesome work of Christine Weems and the entire team, Tech Week ran smoothly.
The shows opened Thursday, August 2, 2012, to a nice sized audience at 8 PM, and ran without a hitch. In my first play, we had to slide our props out from behind the curtain in the dark, and carry them offstage the same way. Because of how dark it was, we nearly fell over the edge of the stage trying to walk off after our bow, but otherwise the show was wonderful. My fellow actors in "Waiting", Erin, and Marc, are both stage veterans and are both phenomenal actors. I learn more about the craft during every show watching their interactions before I walk out on stage to join them. Erin has a natural poise and grace...e'lan...about her that draws all eyes to her while on stage. Marc has the ability to disappear into his character and BECOME whoever he's playing. I intend to harness both of these abilities in myself, and am fully confident that I will, with more time spent learning characters and reviewing my performances on tape.
My second play, "Body Politics", is so funny that even my fellow castmates and I have a difficult time not laughing while onstage. My character, Nerve, is supposed to be the "enforcer", and is supposed to be brawny, but not brainy, and was described to me by the director, Elvin, as being a big guy with a little voice, so I broke out my Mike Tyson voice for the character, and am blessed that the crowd reacts to it every single time I speak on stage. They laugh so hard that I often have to bite the inside of my jaws to keep from cracking up myself. All the other characters have their humorous aspects to them, and the play is just a blast to perform.
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| The cast of my second play, "Body Politics" |
Every night of the play has been wonderful, and has gotten better each time, as most things do. I type this before leaving to head to the last showing of the play, today (Sunday, Aug 5) at 2:00 PM at the Country Playhouse in City Centre, and am excited to knock these last performances out. I'll miss the interaction with the other actors and getting to be a part of the entire production, and have had a wonderful time, but God is calling me to finish my album Marathon, and I can't allow anything else to come between me and that goal. Lord willing, once the album is out and successful, then maybe next year I can come back and be a part of the entire experience again. Either way, this has been an experience I'll never forget, full of working with people I'd gladly work with again in a heartbeat.
Below is a link to the Houston Chronicle Blog review of the Scriptwriters 10x10s, with my play Body Politics highlighted as one of the reviewer's favorites. This is my first write up in the Chronicle, and I am excited to share it. A wonderful, wonderful experience!! #IMPECCABLEGRIND
http://blog.chron.com/criticscritic/2012/08/scriptwritershouston-presents-captivating-22nd-10x10-festival-at-country-playhouse/
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