Yes, I'm a Star Trek nerd. I'm also a big stinking liar (though not about the Star Trek thing - you never lie about the Trek). You see, not a day goes by that I don't bitch and complain about being stuck doing some form of administrative theatre work, be it marketing, front of house, stage management, finding sponsors or even writing. I complain because I keep saying I don't want to do any of those things. I just want to ACT. It's been at least a year and a half since I've been in a show where I didn't need to have any other care except to show up and be an actor. I even did script analysis and wrote the English press release for the awesome short film I shot this past summer. I am getting really sick of it.
The thing is, I'm totally lying. I love being involved in the performing arts in any way possible. I also love having some form of control over the product that I'm putting out (and yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is a product - and hee, I said "put out" and giggled because I'm 12). I love the rush I get from small victories like selling a t-shirt, an ad space, or, better yet, solidifying a donation. And most of all, I love realizing that I am really good at something (or a lot of things, actually, as the case may be).
People tell me all the time what I great job I'm doing (and please don't stop, because I love hearing it and it makes me work harder!) and I've always kind of brushed it off. I mean, is it really that hard to show up early, coordinate 5 volunteers into position, sell some merchandise, and, oh yeah, smile? Apparently so. Then again, I think it's the smile part that people have trouble with. I never do, not at the theatre. That's how I realized I was lying. I just love being at the theatre so damn much, I can't help but smile. And that makes my job incredibly easy.
Can't you feel it? There's beauty and excitement in what we do. We're creating something, something so big no individual could ever accomplish it all on his own. The show doesn't begin and end with the actors on stage. They are but one small piece of the puzzle. And if any of the other pieces (including the audience) are missing, the picture is incomplete. Whether you're selling a ticket, writing a press release, showing someone to their seat, contacting a potential donor, calling the show or performing in it, you are important.
So I will keep working behind the scenes and in I will keep sitting in front of them to ensure that the magic keeps happening.
That said, I really wouldn't mind if someone would like to cast me in something (and let me focus on doing just that) like, now. Or tomorrow. You can cast me tomorrow, too, if that works for you.