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| "A Day by the Sea" directed by Austin Pendleton for The Mint |
Yes I know, goodbye for now,
How long? A year, a day *
Last year I finished the end of an extended run of an Off-Broadway play. It was a first for me, as most of you know if you've been following my journey. It was bliss. Even better than I could have dreamed. I am used to goodbyes in life and in shows. Even in high school we have those emotional highs and lows. But there is something about the working relationship, the dressing room, the family you become. I was lucky to be cast in a 29 hour reading of a new musical so I did not have time to wallow. And then I bonded with another new family!
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| "Far from the Madding Crowd" directed by Hunter Foster |
Yes I love you, yes you're with me,
Here now, next to me, and worlds away!
See I free you, and I'll see you when I see you,
Fine, OK? *
I am living what I have dreamed of for years. For those of you who know me or have been following my blog, this has not been an easy road.
What's next? The end?
I have been lucky in work in 2017. Of course there have been periods of "rest" and anxiety and pounding 42nd Street but the good has far outweighed the bad. In the absence of a manager or agent, I have been representing myself and, although it has been tough, I have been able to practise what I preach as The Actor's Friend in private coaching and my Accountability Group.
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| Hagen Institute Teacher Training Lab at HB Studio. |
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| Taking my nieces and nephews to see Gayle in Pantomime, Christmas, 2017. |
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| "They Promised her the Moon" directed by Valentina Fratti |
January 2017 started with a wonderful group of actors and teachers with the Hagen Institute Teacher Training lab at HB Studio.
It was a joy to revisit Uta Hagen's exercises and I was stretched as an actress and a teacher. Friendships founded here remain and I just had the joy of seeing my scene partner and friend, Gayle Telfer Stevens perform here in Glasgow while I've been home for the holidays.
So much of this business is about building relationships. Working with friends is such a treat. Amanda Quaid was one of my first teachers when I studied full time at HB Studio in 2008. When she recommended me as a last minute replacement for "They Promised her the Moon" I was terrified, but very flattered.
I made yet another group of wonderful friends.
Hard work and anxiety mixed with sing-alongs and dancing in the dressing room. Thank you, Amanda and my new friends for a trip to the moon and back!
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| "The Home Place" directed by Charlotte Moore at Irish Rep. |
The first time I saw Amanda perform was at The Irish Repertory Theatre. Many people had suggested it would be a good place for me to work. Fast forward eight years and change and I did. It was a long journey to get there, but well worth the wait!
The work itself was a treat. The wonderful Brian Friel's last play, The Home Place. The play started performances in September and was due close in November. Then it was extended to December 17th. It's always a blessing to extend and keep working, especially when you're working with so many people you have grown to love.
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| "Stu for Silverton" directed by Andrew Russell and musical supervisor, Will Reynolds. |
Towards the end of the run, I received a message from a Casting Director asking about my availability for another 29 hour reading of another new musical. Will Reynolds, with whom I had worked in the "Far from the Madding Crowd" reading had recommended me as a last minute replacement. Was I able to start rehearsals the next day? Yes, please. Rehearsing a new musical during the day and then performing in "The Home Place" in the evening. Exhausting, draining and fabulous. And, as I had realized during "Far from the Madding Crowd" reading, you can form firm friends even in a 29 hour reading. Thank you, Will!
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| Above: Full cast and crew of "The Home Place" Below: My beloved dressing room mates, Rachel Pickup and Andrea Lynn Green |
Thank you to all the wonderful people with whom I have shared stages and dressing rooms in 2017. Here's to 2018!
Goodbye for now, again
Goodbye until whenever then
We're free, that's what we said we'd be,
At leave to come an' go, you as well as I,
Somehow each "hello" makes it worth "goodbye"
For now. *
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
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