The Other Side of the Table

Auditions for my new play were Thursday and Friday. Call-backs yesterday. Holy toledo, what I have learned from the other side of the table.

-Everyone wants to be having fun in an audition room. Have as much fun as possible.
-Try new things. If you get direction, take it too far rather than not far enough.
-Do you.
-They say don't be nervous, but, like, actually, don't be nervous.
-You're unique, so know that and show that. In the words of Powerline, stand out.

I can't believe these words I have written on my own, early in coffee shops, late in my camp bunk, on the living room couch, were recited all day by strangers. This play, it is happening.

I'm really too young to be feeling this old.
It's about time you admit it, who you kiddin'?
And nobody's ever done it like I did it.

Ideal

Well, I've made it through the worst of the theoretical analysis/write a new play/historicization storm. Sort of. I won't ACTUALLY be out of the storm until May 2014, but let's not think about that right now, okay?

In dramaturgy tonight we had a serious discussion about children's theatre being dumbed down in the United States. It's actually pretty gross. Nothing should ever be dumbed down. Ever. That's what I really really believe. Dumbing down or "being simple" are simply sneakier forms of lying. Lying is a distraction from Truth. Truth is equal to Love. Love alone is Life.

So, as you can tell, I have some strong opinions about stupid children's theatre. I scribbled this angrily in my notebook:

"Only write for your ideal audience."

I put down my pencil. It's really that simple. If you make children's plays, don't imagine the little squirmers and the little goobers, imagine the mini-Obamas and Mindy Kalings.* HECK, extending the concept, you shouldn't do anything for anyone but your imagined perfect audience!


Sometimes Clara is my imagined perfect audience.

You know a lot of girls be thinkin' my songs are about them.
This is not to get confused, this one's for you.

*Yeah, I went there. I put our president and my fave comedian on the same level.

Drake

According to Drake, I must look like the friggin' prom queen today.

Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin' with no make-up on--
That's when you're the prettiest, I hope that you don't take it wrong.

To Live Doesn't Mean You're Alive

When I was four, I would spell aloud the words I knew to my grandmother: "L-O-V-E" and "L-U-C-Y" (my childhood name then), "G-O-D" and "Y-O-U."

Then, I would mix up letters and asked what it spelled: "L-U-V-E"?
"Nothing," she'd say. That's not a word. It surprised me how many words I could spell that weren't words. The odds of getting NOTHING seemed slim in my head, but, apparently, there are a lot of combos that don't mean diddly.

"L-U-C-K-Y" I announced, knowing full well a wildcard "K" mid-name was just silly. But, no! It was LUCKY. Lucy to Lucky just like that. I tucked the secret under the kitchen chair. I am always very close to luck, I thought.

Often, when I'm jotting "ALICE" quickly, it slumps into "ALIVE."
Lucky Lucy, Alive Alice.

And I will retire with the crown. Yes.
No I'm not lucky--I'm blessed. Yes.