My first show with Rogers Memorial Theatre

Whoever said actors have fragile egos was married to one, it is true. I have been driving Scott crazy over the last week and a half. There is a wonderful theatre about a block from our home. They have a fantastic reputation and they are building a brand new theatre set to open in Jan of 2011. I guess I have been spoiled to work with directors who know me and what I can do. I sometimes don't even have to audition but just get a part. But since we just moved up here no one knows me and starting all over is scary. I went to the audition with huge hopes because...
1. All female cast equals Scott liking the show and not worrying about who he has to watch me kiss on stage. Which were the roles reversed I would not want to watch him love on someone else. I have given up on telling him I will not get the romantic lead since often I do. I think mother nature is taking care of that for Scott as time is marching across my face:)
2. My mothers best friend in the entire world lived in Louisiana where my mom also lived in her early married life while her hubby was in the service. Some of the most happy memories I have of my mother are with Sue and grandma Cotton and all the awesome family from Louisiana. I made memories in the very town this play was written about and later where the film was shot. I've been to the Christmas Festival-- I adore all the southern Bells in my life and this show holds a special place in my heart.
3. I LOVE the director. My favorite directors are ones who start out as directors. They don't worry so much about feelings but ask for your best and give direction. Actors who direct tend to worry about the over thinking the actor thinking "they don't like me". I have never worked with her before so I'm thrilled! She did start our saying she does prefer to work with men but hey I Love men also I married one! In general men are easier to work with but I might argue that many male actor I know can give us drama queens a run for our money.
4. The commute. Time during a play effects your family life. It requires tons of time away from home so to to be able to walk will save precious hours commuting.
5. I need to do a show now. Being on stage exploring a different person helps me let go of real life for awhile. I am very dramatic and it helps to use it one stage and less at home.
6. We plan to live here for ever so I want to get in with this theatre community and make new friends and learn and grow and perform in my own new home town.
After the first call back I started to doubt my ability to ever act. I decided to use a southern accent day and night until the next call back. That meant working, going to church, dreaming in southern. I wanted it natural so I was ready for anything. Call back after callback I would come home exhausted and driving even myself batty to the point Scott took me on a quick visit to Sunny Southern Utah-- accent and all. That is when the fun started. I was answering the phone and working in southern which somehow helped my sales increase. The problem was one of my jobs last week was filling in for a manager at a site. I had people come in and I was speaking with the accent. Well I walked them outside and locked us all out of the office. I could not at that point stop talking with an accent. I then had to call for help with and accent to my boss and other friends with the company to see if they could send in help. My very funny friend waked if I had brought home an accent instead of souvenirs from Florida. I could not even answer or joke back because it would give me away. I did manager to break in through a small window squeeze past some file cabinets and free the office.
At each call back I was impressed with the women how were there. Many auditioned as it is a great script for women. I tried to enjoy the process but instead stressed out. I yanked Salina bald headed practicing on her hair as I went out for the role of Truvy. I wanted to be Annelle who is my favorite part but alas I am too old. So I was hoping I was old enough to pull of 45ish.
I GOT THE PART! Truvy is a warm sassy lady who has twin boys headed off to college- she was a child bride. Her role is different from the movie version where she was played very sweet. She still can be sweet but much more fun. The rest of the cast is seasoned actresses and directors from across Utah. I think I am the only one who is new to Rogers stage. It is a huge honor and I am so excited. My time is gone until June 5th but it will be doing what I love near home! Our first assignment was writing a bio which about floored me they are very on top of things. It is a professional production which makes me giddy. Anything you walk in the first day and have a calendar which has been prepared with great thought as to respecting time WOW! The fun part is I am on stage for the entire show minus 2 pages so I get to be there every day, which is lucky because there is so much to learn from everyone involved. I can't wait to wake up each day and work on it:) I also got very Happy news which I can't reveal just yet but I'll know more in 5 days.