Stop Phoning It In!

Not in the way you may be thinking...

Just read this article about cellphones ruinous effects not only by audiences on performances, but on backstage by cast and crew of the shows themselves. I have been there.

For my own part, I do have a cell phone, and have had for most of my years in the theatre. But I have several rules for it's being with me during a show.

1) It stays in the green room or the dressing room. If I am in the house watching the rehearsal, I do not need a phone with me for that, and I would be sickened to have my phone interrupt the rehearsal process.

2) It goes on mute once I get to the theater. Not only could a ring still be heard on stage, depending on the venue, but I have always viewed the green room as a sanctuary for actors, each of whom require a different level of preparation and respite. I'd rather be over-considerate of that than under-considerate.

3) If I don't have time between my scenes to use the bathroom comfortably, than i don't have time to check my phone. I was once in a show where between my final scene in Act I, the intermission, and my first scene in Act II, 50 minutes elapsed. Fifty. That remains my longest break between scenes ever, and I would check messages at some point during it. I also do so for shorter breaks than that one at times, (especially if fantasy football is involved) but if I need to scramble to get back on stage, I'm doing things wrong.

Though I try not to be the cell phone police in a show, i will mention to someone if their phone is going off causing a disturbance. Once or twice I moved the guilty phone to another location of my own accord.

Most of the people I have worked with in shows have been good about phones, but even the local groups I sometimes do shows with have had an increase in cell phone encroachment from both audience and cast/crew. It is worrisome, and it pisses me off, to be frank.

At least, however, there is some tiny solace that even the big dogs, such as the actors and the venues mentioned in the article, have to deal with the same sort of bologna.

Still Around

Yes, once again I am here to remind loyal blog readers that I am still around.

My hope was that by now I would have had several performances of The King is But a Man to blog about. As it stands, for any number of reasons, I have not been able to book any performances for a while.

It is still very much a part of my plans, however. I continue to think of places and ways to pitch this free Shakespeare based show. I just didn't think that marketing efforts would be a particularly fun read here on the blog, even though they relate to a theatrical project.

That's the thing, as I have said, with being a community theatre type such as myself. One can be active for quite a while, and then hit a drought. I'm in a drought mode at present, though I certainly don't expect it to last forever. I may have to change my approach, both to my own show, and for future shows for which I will audition, but there is still plenty of potential theatre out there for me.

The nature of things change over time, of course. I have had, for some years now, a certain way that I access a possible theatre experience before looking into it more, or trying to be a part of it. It may be time to loosen my criteria a bit. Not in terms of quality, but in terms of certain aspects of time, place, nature of production and such falling into a specific set of places. I may have to be more liberal with my volunteer policies for things outside of my own one man show. (Which I admit, had priority at this time.)

So, I seek to surge with that flow. I just don't know exactly where to go yet. But I will. I am keeping my eyes open, and I have all kinds of ideas. Hopefully once some of them come to happen, I will have ore to write about on a regular basis here on this (still) important blog to me, other than, "I am still around."

Until then, I am in fact still around.

My Novel About Community Theatre is Out!

Greetings, loyal blog readers!

I have been away a while, as is often the case when I am not in the middle of a play. But this blog, and certainly theatre are not forgotten in my life between performances. In fact, I want to announce the launch of novel, Flowers of Dionysus in ebook form. Available for download for $2.99, this tale of theatre adventure and love of performing should speak to theatre geek everywhere.

It's the story of Matt Blackwell, an exhausted theatre guy who feels it's time to turn in his scripts and give up theatre acting for good. It just isn't what it used to be for him. But, reluctantly he agrees to join the cast of a dear friend's summer production at the local playhouse, more as a favor to her than anything else.

Things don't go smoothly for the production. There are delays, missing actors, mechanical problems and intrusive board members. More than once the production is in trouble. Yet through it all, our friend Matt hears about and finally experiences some unexplained phenomena in and around the playhouse.

He's not sure what's going on, but he is sure that it's going to be no ordinary summer for him and some of his new friends. His views on theatre and himself may change before all is said and done.

I've posted a list of places to buy this fun fantasy over on my other blog. Here's a link to that post.

I hope you will purchase it, read and enjoy it, as both a theatre lover and as a follower of adventures. Theatre geeks will recognize many of the people in this place, but those who have not done theatre will recognize how life has magic in it, if we are willing to seek it out.

If you like it, do leave a review at your preferred location.

Thanks to all, and I hope to by on stage again soon, with more updates and thoughts on same!