Theater group coming to life, still unemployed

So Steve has been applying all over the place for a new job. He's had a couple of hits, but still nothing yet. This was the worst time to get laid-off, jobs are scarce. But we'll keep praying that he'll find something soon! :-)

In other news, my new theater group that I started is having it's first performance! For information, go to the website http://gvegastheater.webs.com
I'm going to be directing one of the shows. I'm so excited, I think this will really kick off by the end of the year. Between me and Denny (my friend that I asked to partner with me), we know EVERYBODY and if we don't, then one of them does. The internet has to be one of the greatest marketing tools, I have stuff posted on all types of forums. I think it's a good time, too, I think that Greenville has needed something like this for a long time, and since we're non-profit, all of our shows are absolutely free. We accept donations, to cover costs, and anything we have left over, we donate to charity, so we're not in this for the money. And with the economy like it is, it's forcing people to cut certain luxuries out of their budgets, and I think this will give people something to do that won't cut into their budget. The group's very much "community driven", meaning that it's all about taking and giving to the community. We perform in various local venues, print free ads in our programs, use music from local artists and bands for soundtracks and pre-show entertainment. This town needs a better since of community and defiantly needs some culture! We give an experience that is different from your typical theater, whether it's performing an original, locally written one-act to attempting various acting projects (like 3/24, the first project we're doing), or simply performing in a different space that sets an ambiance (once, I performed the female lead of "Equus" in a horse stable on a set I helped build). It forces not just the actors to get creative, it forces the audience to get creative as well. This town is just the right size for launching something like this, not too big, and not too small.

But we're not just showing people what we can do, we're showing them how far we can take it. Like for example, the first project we are doing is called a 3/24 (read three-twenty-four) project. It's 3 10min short plays from conception to breakdown in a 24 hour period. Three writers get together the night before (say, 9PM), choose one of three random titles and has 12 hours to write a 10 minute play. Then three directors randomly choose one of the three scripts, without knowing what the scripts are. Then they have 12 hours to audition, rehearse, set up, perform, and break down the set and leave the performance space by 9PM. It's not as bad as it sounds, really, it's a lot of fun. But I think that choosing this type of performance as our first is a very ballsy move, since there's a huge chance that we could bomb it. What if a script doesn't get done in time? What if not enough people audition? What if you can't get the programs printed in time? What if no one shows up? lol It's challenges like the mentioned that we are trying to prepare for and avoid, but if faced with one, we'll be forced to work around it. Plus it's a chance to get REALLY creative, since you don't have a lot of time to work on it. It pushes the writers, directors, and actors to a whole new level that many don't even realize they have. I get more and more excited about it the more I think about it. I've had a lot of ideas for things in the past, but for one reason or another, didn't act on those. Now I've hit the point of no return with this one, and it feels excellent. I've mentioned the name, thrown it out there to so many people, and have confirmed dates, times, and venues, and now I couldn't quit if I wanted to. I feel like (aside from raising my kids), I'm being productive, giving back...

and I have an excuse to leave the house more often. ;-)