Where Am I Now?

Before I get back to bitching about local community theatre companies, I'd like to take a moment to talk about where I am.

I made a decision that in 2012 I would no longer accept any parts that I didn't find interesting and challenging.  I don't need heavy amounts of stage time or a starring role, but I do need something that challenges me.  I act for fun, and acting has become boring for me.  Worse than that, I have been in shows where I was given a bit part, and the leads were terrible: this adds a whole new level of frustration.  When I watch the person that IS the lead, I would like to see some reason why that person got the part . . . I'd like to be impressed.  When the person is mediocre or bad and I see that they only reason they got the part is because of their skin color, I wonder "why am I even trying?"

Most of all, I don't feel like I'm learning anything.

Anyway, yes I understand that this could mean that I will not act at all in 2012.  Either I'm not as good as I think I am and I can't expect better parts than I have been getting . . . or I am good and something else (my skin color) is preventing me from being cast.  Either way, I need to get my head on straight with the reality that maybe I won't be acting at all this year.

Of course, I'm hoping that not jumping for every bit part will mean that I will find that mystical theatre company that will give me a good solid part!

Until then, it seems I'm now a writer.

A director I have worked with, Marsha (more on her later), seems to really like my writing.  She wants to do my play "Leia", but that will likely have to be put off until 2013.  She does want to do a workshop, however, and I think that will be a great idea.  She is planning on putting on my play "The Crystal" in February, as part of an evening of one-acts.

I wrote the play "Vampe" with the director of Theatre Company B, based on his original ideas.  We want to stage this in February, which means finishing off the music.  He wants me to perform in it as well: the part we have in mind isn't big, but it is interesting (hey, I wrote it).  I will probably only be acting in the first run, in February.  I am hoping the show will get another run later in the year: I think this one will be big!

Theatre Company E is interested in doing some workshops of one-act plays, and they are very interested in several of my plays, including "Leia".  They will decide in late December or January.

And, in January, I should be hearing from a theatre company in New York City about two plays I had written ("A Prisoner" and "Act 3").  They are having a one-act festival in February, so let's see if these plays get anywhere!

I have a part in an Internet series.  We will start filming that in January.  Originally, I was just in one scene, but they were so impressed with my acting that they decided to pepper me around various points in the series.  This company also wants to make a horror movie, and I'm definitely interested in that!  I am willing to take small roles in film because this is a very new area for me; one of my acting teachers has told me that I will likely have better opportunities in film.

I do have another thought in the back of my mind.  I am pondering if I am ready to direct something like "Romeo and Juliet".  I imagine creating a company and finding a venue.  I imagine reaching out to find a multi-ethnic cast, and being willing to cast minorities in the lead roles.  My goal would be to show that this could work, that it's time for the community theatre world to stop being so ethnically restrictive.  This means putting on a show of huge quality, so I can prove this point . . . the only question is, am I up for it?  To be honest, I don't even know where to start!