Details in the Fabric

I have realized today that I haven’t written much of anything since the show opened, which is too bad, but is what it is. I’m writing this from the dressing room on Thursday, April 16th a few hours before the show, though I am sure I won’t get to an internet location till much after I’m done writing.

The run of “Dracula” has been a wonderful, eye-opening experience for me. I have learned a great deal about myself, being here in Sonora, working with SRT, being a full time actor - there is nothing in the world like it. I’ve gotten to work every day on my acting, not have to go anywhere else if I didn’t want to and with each passing day I have had more and more fun. The show has gone very well, we have played to large houses every night (the two Wednesday Matinee’s where a little small) and everyone that has seen the show has had nothing but wonderful things to say about it.

My friends Steve, Brian, Jim and Emily came up to see the show, which was so great. Brian was here for my birthday (for which I turned 29 – I’m within arm’s reach of the big 3-0) and we watched one of the better Wrestlemainia’s I have seen. (Go 17-0 ‘Taker!)

I’ve gotten to experience Yosemite (A MUST SEE if you have never been), see some of the small mining towns around the area, the museums on the history of the gold rush era, perform on a stage that Edwin Booth worked on and seen some most amazing sites as well as some really great theatre (Fiddler and Barefoot in the Park).

I really felt like all the work I put into getting myself here has paid off into something really wonderful, something that I am really proud of. I am doing work that is truly fun and entertaining and I am just having the most amazing time of my life. This experience has given to me the much needed clarity of why I loved acting, what I had to give to it to really be great and to enjoy the hell out of my life and it has given back to me something I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again, cause I wasn't really sure that it was lost – me.

I’m happy to say that I return to LA a different person than when I left, in a good way. I am excited, I’m happy, I’m motivated; I’m enjoying everything that I touch.

I am going to miss Sonora – and if the fates allow, I will return in the fall for “Bus Stop”. If not, I will take everything that I have learned here, the people I’ve met and the things I’ve seen and experienced, with me for the rest of my life. This was a big one, it might not seem like it, but in the course of my life, coming here changed a great deal, all for the best.

Thank you for the love and support, those who sent emails and cards for opening and my birthday. Thank you, thank you.

J.

"My muse, as always, is Aphrodite." "Aphrodite Baggett, who does it behind the Dog and Crumpet? "

Tonight, we open "Dracula" - my first sudo-Equity show (I am now a member of the union, but not recognized as such in this show, since I was not a member when I was cast...) with Sierra Rep in Sonora, CA.

The rehearsal time has been short, the nights have been long. The tech has been crazy and as Philip Henslowe says "The natural condition (of the theatre business) is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster." And how we ever make it to opening a show... well, that's a mystery.

But here we are. And I am so happy.

These past two weeks have been some of the best times of my life thus far - waking to only have to head over to the theatre (well, and the gym too, but I like going there), not having to put on a "doctor's coat" and serve hamburgers to people, getting my Equity card, meeting and working with actors who have traveled the country doing what I want to do. Ted, who plays Van Helsing, has worked with some of the best theatres around the country, playing Bottom with the California Shakespeare Festival and even did School for Scandal with Brian Bedford at the Forum in LA - the year after I saw Bedford in the play at Stratford. Simply great.

This whole experience has been amazing. The past two nights we have been in previews. Last night was a PTA group, which took a moment or so to warm up to us, but after they did they seemed to have the time of their lives with the show and then night before that the Fiddler cast (which is the other show Sierra is doing right now) came to see the show during our "Friends and Family" night. They too loved the show - laughed and gasped - it was such a thrill to have an audience and to have them eating out of the palm of our hand.

Tonight should be a thrill. There is an opening night "Gala" at the local pub after the show, and we are playing to an almost sold-out house (here is hoping that is sells all the way tonight!) or so I'm told.

I'm excited for the show to open - to hear the people react, to play off them. I love working in the theatre - there is truly no thrill like getting an audience on board with you and riding that wave for two hours. It is no wonder to me that thousands of years after Thespis of Icaria first stepped from the chorus, theatre still has the passion and energy that drives people from their homes to join together in this amazing, communal experience.

J.

As a sidebar: The car working again and passed the smog test.