Louise Lessons

Last weekend we wrapped up, at least for now, our performances of "The Great Nebula in Orion." We first brought this one-act by Lanford Wilson to life in mid March for the Minnesota Community Theater Festival. On my flight to DC on Sunday to play professional librarian at a conference, I finally had a chance to reflect a little on what I learned playing Louise, a confident and successful fashion designer in the 70's:

• Sparkly turquoise eyeshadow makes me happy and is just fine for everyday wear (and speaking at a librarian conference).
• A bright blue vintage 70's polyester pantsuit that looks unpromising can magically transform both you and it when you put it on (thank you MC for this amazing costume!!) 

I know! This pantsuit is amazing!!

• As the acting adage goes, it's really hard to play drunk without overdoing it, but I'm pretty good at playing drunk and lounging on a couch.
• I'm better at playing an angry drunk than a sad drunk (unfortunately angry wasn't called for).
• Even though my mother's life was nothing like Louise's, I often felt like Colleen while playing Louise.
• Don't spend so much time mourning your losses that you don't realize you're actually happy (like Louise).
• It's really hard to pour a small pour.
• I like bourbon and whiskey straight but am not really interested in brandy.
• I confuse natural with monotone.
• Having two directors is actually pretty brilliant, even if, and perhaps most especially, they come on different nights and give you conflicting direction (probably only works if both directors are as awesome as Gary and Chad).
• Chad and I can survive the husband-directs-wife dynamic, and even make a little community theater magic. It definitely helps to have amazing and patient friends in your company who will tolerate a little Chamy off stage drama.
• The reach of your creative endevaor may be small but deep.
• It's hard not to be frustrated with audiences if they don't get it, even if the fault probably lies with your production and the script  (PHYLLIS IS MY LONG-LOST LESBIAN LOVER...THAT'S WHY HER PICTURE IS IN MY BEDROOM!!!)

"I don't know why people don't get that Phyllis was my old lady. I DON'T KNOW!!!"

• There are many rewards to being in a small scale production with a small company, including having a lot more control over your rehearsal schedule, and getting opportunities and being able to take risks you never would with a big company...and getting to drink at many rehearsals.
• I should see if I  can start calling people "darling" in real life.
• Monologues are easier for me in many ways than back and forth dialogue.
• Sharing the experience of doing a two person play is a unique bond, and I'm so lucky I got to share it with my talented and generous friend Deb.
• Realizing your director/husband is proud of you is priceless. 
• Even a small production requires the work and contributions of many people, including, but not limited to, Deb's set-loading extraordinaire husband Eric. 
• "Laid" is fun slang for sex that I hope never vanishes.

Orion was performed with another one-act I was in, "Trifles." While many of the insights on community theater apply to that show as well, Trifles-specific lesson will have to wait...perhaps to the flight back???.