Thought for the day - workshop theatre

Back in the day at UNCG, we had workshop theater every Monday.  i don't know if they still have it or not..the program has changed so much since i was there.  But, in those days, lots of my colleagues did their best work during workshop theater.  And let's face it, it was fun.  It was during my junior year that i really started coming into my own as an actor.  i had my first two large roles during that spring semester but it all started for me in the fall.  During one of the first workshops of the semester, i performed in 2 different half hour shows.  i went from being a 9 year old boy in Ramona Quimby to a 40 something with a marriage on the rocks in Lips Together, Teeth Apart.

Today, though, i'm going to talk about Ramona Quimby.  i had never really done much children's theater before this.  And i loved it.  It was directed by Katie Arjona...who went on to direct the full length version for her thesis. (i didn't get into the full length production because my professors felt i needed experience doing classical work...blah) i remember auditioning for the workshop and Katie had me reading for the role of the Dad.  Admittedly, i was boring in that role and didn't give a great audition.  Then she asked me to read for the role of Howie, Ramona's best friend.  i think it was because she had run out of people to read for the part LOL  Anyway, i had a blast reading that role and it was so much fun.  She ended up casting me.

We had a great time rehearsing.  We had a cast of much varied experience.  Freshmen through graduate students.  But it was a blast.  What i remember most was all of the fun we had being kids.  All of my scenes were with Andrea as Ramona, Tammy as Susan and Melissa as Mrs. Griggs. It was just so much fun and what a wonderful experience to be a kid again.

The other day i ran across an old video tape i have of this workshop and that's what brought this all to mind.  i had forgotten how much fun theatre can be.  Just to be free and to play and to have those connections with other people.  Just being silly.  It was wonderful.  i remember that after the show was over, Melissa, who was directing her thesis for the NC Theatre for Young People, apologized to me for not calling me back for her show.  She didn't think i could convincingly play a child but told me i proved her wrong.  That was a great compliment from a great friend and actress.

Bottom line, there were times that theatre was so much fun.  They are memories i will carry with me the rest of my life.  And i have to admit that of all the productions i've ever done, Ramona Quimby ranks right up at the top of the list.