Hip Hip… Hoowrong!

One of the things I like about life is how frequently I’m wrong. Maybe it’s due to my generally pessimistic outlook, and the fact that things usually work out better than I assume. Maybe it’s nature’s way of saying I should never assume things. Or maybe it’s that I have horrible judgment.

Well, whatever it is, it’s happened again. I went to an audition, and I landed the part. So, cool, yes? Well, I wasn’t sure. See, I almost immediately started having second thoughts: The theatre is a long haul away. The part is so small for that kind of time commitment. I have no connection to any of these people. What did I get myself into? Am I going to regret this?

In a word, no. In a few additional words, I’m a doofus.

The experience has been great. It’s a brand new play, and the director has shown a deft hand at letting us explore – including dedicating big blocks of rehearsal to letting us make discoveries to inform the characters we play – while at the same time crafting her vision of the work. The part is smaller, but it’s far from being a background role. It’s a nice journey through the show, and has some great moments. I was a fool to think in the small community of D.C. theatre that I had no connection – and Facebook quickly dispelled that notion. Hell, I even found out someone at my day job knows the director. Not to mention that the cast has been a blast to work with.

And, sure the drive is long, but now I’ve learned all kinds of alternate ways to get out of D.C. during rush hour! (None of them are faster, naturally, but a change of scenery is always nice.)

Of course, a few of them were the result of wrong turns. See? It never stops.