It has been a long time since I let a week go by between entries in my journal. I’m going to try and catch up on some of the highlights with the next couple of LJ entries.

Although it’s been a busy time, it’s been a good, productive kind of busy:

I Cast A Show:

I had a TERRIFIC experience casting a show recently. I’m directing A Picasso at the Performance Network next Spring. It’s a great two-hander, and the lead man (Picasso!) was cast when I got the gig from the producer (and I’m very much looking forward to working with the actor). We had auditions for the lead woman, and they went really, really well. I mean, this was one of those “kid in a candy shop” type of events for me. The first round was wonderful, with all 10 women being terrific, terrific actors and the producer and I looking at each other saying “Wow! We’ve got good choices!” Then we had to narrow it down, and used age, type, ‘gut feeling’, etc… to narrow the field to 4. During callbacks, I was just thrilled to be able to work with each actor, get great results, and eventually narrow it down to one based on what felt the best “chemistry” and “feel” with the actor playing Picasso.

It was one of those events that really make you excited to work in this industry. Nearly a dozen professional actors walked in, were fabulous, and I got to pick from that great talent pool who I thought would fit the role best.

It was, for the producer and I, a powerful event for this reason: Although I already know it to be true, this was a fabulous reminder of the deep talent pool of professional actors we have in this state. Occasionally as a director, when you’re casting a show, you have the “We’ve only got two real options for this role” decision to make. Making those are fine, but it leaves you with few options in the casting of the OTHER roles in the play. Having a whole room full of people who could nail a part is a big treat. (Having to say no to all but one of them is no fun, but that’s part of the job.) This casting session definitely fell into the “treat” department.

So, a good day of casting. And, possibly more importantly, a good reminder of how fortunate I am to work in an area where the work is taken seriously, and people are seriously skilled at it.