Luck Be A Lady

I am kind of reeling over some 'drama' in the drama department. I am wondering WTF is going on around here. Is there something in the water? Are we secretly being fed stupid pills? I am in a state of confusion. I don't know how or why people have to be so difficult. Why do people have to yell and snap at others when they're in a position of authority? Are the followers not following? Were they not trained right to being with? Were they not given respect in the first place? A good leader trains their team to follow but also respects them enough to train them to become leaders through example. I am wondering when leaders stopped teaching by example? I hate it when people use social media to announce things in a  passive/aggressive way to gain sympathy or whatever else they're missing in their lives. They should be fully aware that most people know what they're doing and aren't buying it. Face facts. You did something wrong. Say you're sorry. And don...

I'm still rambling about the same topic because I am feeling a lot of guilt over my gossipy ways. I have such a tendency to be so critical - it drives me crazy when I succumb to bitching and griping about people and things. Like I said before, I am super critical so I notice lots of little things, especially when I go to the theatre or a concert. Since that's where my passion lies, it's what I know. I do have to be careful in my choices of things that I go see. I can understand that a kids production (school, etc.) will be held to a different standard than a community theatre show. I'm not going to shoot down people. I really do enjoy a show and I find the good in everything. I will do my best to find it if it's a 'bad' show, whatever the reason. There's always something good in a show. I know that I suffered many blows and stabs in the back when I was a theatre employee. It drove me crazy that the things that were said about me behind my back never ...

I was thinking about my last entry. I know it was a bit harsh but I was really writing from the heart at that given moment. I don't edit my thoughts other than my spelling so what you read is going through my brain pretty much those seconds before I type it. I am not having second thoughts as much as I am trying to re-think or re-state some of it. I do believe that I am one of the harshest critics around but I also think I really enjoy shows a lot when I go see them. I do try to see the best of it and even if I don't like the show for whatever reason, I really do appreciate all the hard work that went into it. I am a good audience member and I will find something amazing in every show. I will laugh and cry if I'm moved by something. So, I think I do enjoy more than 75% of a show most of the time. I think I really do see the good in performances. I think what my biggest issue is may be more about the big picture. That isn't controlled by the actors or designers.  Thi...

I always find myself trying to come up with compliments that I can say when I see a show that I either don't like to start with (the book or music, or both) or one that I didn't like the way it was directed, acted or designed (or a combination of the three). I certainly appreciate all the hard work and effort that everyone put into it. I don't want to be unappreciative because I'm being critical. But..... I still find myself grasping at straws for the right way of saying something so that I'm not lying. I hate lying.... Ultimately, I end up doing just that. If I hate a show, there's little for me to say other than "You did a good job but I still hate the show." If I like the show but hate the actor's interpretation I pretty much have to say "You sure worked hard!" or "Congratuations! Good job!" I basically lie. Did I say I hate lying? Because I really do. I want to be able to give constructive criticism but ultimately it...

I have just started rehearsals for my latest show. Of course, being a musical I don't have to worry about interacting with actors at the moment since they're dancing and singing. Most of my job right now is to work with my staff on design and to answer any questions they might have about their part of the job. I am always fascinated by how a show comes together and I always hope mine will come together easily. Inevitably there is something that goes wrong or someone causes a drama and creates more headaches but you barrel on through it. I felt better after reading Carolee Caramello's latest blog about her show that is currently at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, "Saving Aimee." Here's her latest blog entry and it made me feel good to know that even a professional actor and theatre struggles just like we do. Considering I only have to interpret an established show rather than change, edit, cut and deal with writers, actors, etc., because of the constant cha...

Now spit! Love that song from Little Shop. I think LS was one of my proudest moments as a director. The cast, crew, staff, designers, everything was perfect. But I digress. I am thinking about the dentist. I had a serious consult with the orthodontist because my teeth are getting more crooked by the year. I didn't think my teeth were that bad but it turns out, they are that bad. I have to have serious surgery done on my upper jaw (known as SARPE) after I have braces on for about a year. Of course, I can schedule the surgery to fit my life and its situations since I'll be in the hospital and then basically in bed for 4-5 days after that. Then I have lots of major pain and meds and swelling - typical surgery issues. Then another year of braces and then I should have a perfectly aligned mouth, jaws and everything. According to everyone in the office, I will look 10 years younger. I could deal with that issue. :-) I am getting a wisdom tooth pulled, and potentially losing ano...