Proctor, especially. That man thinks he knows everything under God’s green earth and is exactly the type of actor who will crash and burn on stage because he’s too confident. Once these types get on stage, they develop stage fright and everything they think they know flies out the window and fear takes over, leaving them paralyzed and ready to vomit. Either that, or they become self-absorbed assholes that nobody wants to work with.
In the acting profession, they are what’s known as a diva.
We have seven principle cast members to cast for this play and right now, I only have three in mind for the leads. Myself as Chester, Joey as Silvia and Marlon as Henry, the old man. Which I think is a hilarious casting choice, because Marlon looks like a kid and it’s ironic.
I’m confident that we’ll fill the needed roles for the play from those who are interested in acting in the live performance. And for those we don’t, they’ll work behind the scenes with our set designers and techs, sound designer and costume/wardrobe designers. Thankfully, Niles provided us with a decent budget to cover all the additional expenses.
And once we select the actors and get started on rehearsals, it’ll be a short four weeks in preparation before opening night. Which is always the most nerve-wracking but exhilarating time for an actor and director/playwright.
One could say it’s nearly as exciting as losing your virginity.
Almost.
Or the anticipation of the first kiss with a woman.
Joey clears her throat after silently reading through the scene and I know when she finally comes to the point in the play where she sees it. Then her eyes find mine and she blinks.
“Are we…um, so this scene…are we doingeverything?”
I bite back the laughter that’s bubbling up, but I tamp it back down in my throat.
“Uh-huh. That’s the plan.”
The heat of embarrassment floods her face in a bright array of pink.
“I’ve never…”
I interrupt her, hoping to put her at ease. “I know. It’s okay. I’ll walk you through it. Are you uncomfortable with the idea of kissing me?”
I don’t realize I’m holding in my breath until she responds and it feels like a burst of air is expelled from my chest in awhoosh.
“Of course not,” she counters, sitting up straighter as I toss her a smile. “If you’re okay with it, then I am, too.”
“Okay then. Let’s do it. You go first.”
Joey collects herself and I see she draws herself into the character as her face goes blank for a moment, her chest lifting visibly as she sucks in some air and then lets it go.
“Chester, you know you’re overwatering those roses, right?”
“Must you always be such a know-it-all, Silvia? You’re always in my business.”
“Well I wouldn’tneedto be in your business if your rose bushes weren’t on my property line.”
“Maybe you should worry about your own bush, Miss Know-it-all.”
Pause for laughter.
“What would you like me to do, your majesty? Pull them all out and replant them elsewhere?”
Joey’s voice grows louder, clearly emphasizing her character’s irritation over her neighbor’s surly attitude.
I shift closer to her on the couch, leaving little room between us, readying myself for the kiss. Hoping to leave her breathless and wanting more. Script or no script.
“Oh, you’re such a monster! Such an irksome beast.”
And now we’re at the point in the scene where it describes the character Chester throwing down the watering can, grabbing Silvia by the shoulders, and crushing his mouth to hers.
Joey breaks character and giggles. But I don’t let it deter me or throw me out of character. I do exactly as the script outlines.
