WIT Voices

X (TEN) is an original play, that I’m cast in, written and directed by Cindy Marie Jenkins This play is still being worked on and we were told that at the audition. Working scripts usually change at every rehearsal, until the bugs are all ironed out and until the story and the characters make sense. (At least that is my experience with working original scripts.)

Today at rehearsal we received another revised script. We only received 43 pages, the rest of the script we are going to get on Monday, which will be the finished play that we will perform at the Fake Gallery and at the Arlington West Memorial March 30th and April 6th.

Some of our parts have changed dramatically in this new script, some just a bit. The story line and the characters are still the same but in this new script Cindy was really fleshing out the core of the story, as opposed to giving too much background info. She wanted to focus on the war itself and on the effect that it has on people, families, friends, and the country. Not on how the war started.

We were reading and singing. When we finished, one actress got up, slammed her script down on the chair and said that she was quitting. This was a good time for a break and Cindy went outside with her to talk in private. After they finished talking the actress packed her bag and left. Cindy came back in and we all sat down in anticipation.

Was she going to ignore this incident or was she going to address it? What will she say about this actress? Everybody stared at her. (I personally think that the actress’ behavior was wrong. Working scripts change. Heck, even movies change at the cutting table and your entire scene can be cut.)

Anyhow, after we all stared at Cindy, she spoke. She apologized for not letting everyone know about the drastic changes she made. She said she talked with one of the actresses who had a big part cut and whom the story revolves around but she realized that she should have told the other actress as well about the changes. Cindy said that she had her writer cap on and didn’t think about anything other then the big picture, the story, the play. She asked the actress to read the finished script on Monday and then decide if she still wants to quit.

Cindy thanked everyone for going along with the changes, for going along with the process, even thought it’s difficult. She encouraged us to talk about our characters and to discuss the changes that she made. She was speaking very respectful of the actress who stormed out and of everybody else who is part of this production.

And so the rehearsal ended. And I was speechless. I was speechless about how well Cindy handled the situation. She could have rolled her eyes. She could have made a smarmy remark about actors, who one can never please. She could have done so many things wrong in this situation where she could have lost the trust and the respect of her actors.

But she faced the situation and spoke well and respectful. I learned from her today. I learned to respect her more and that I can trust her as an actor and as a friend. It is difficult to write, direct and to watch for everybody’s emotions at the same time. I don’t know if I could do it. But my hat off to Cindy for handling a difficult situation this well.

When I started doing theater in LA, my only wish was to get the next gig, to get cast. I auditioned weekly in neighborhood theaters, across town and across the city.

After doing theater for a few years, my wish extended to belong to a theater company. I didn’t want to have to drive around anymore. I wanted to find a theater locally that had a good reputation, that had great actors and directors and that produced meaningful plays.

I started going to different theaters weekly, seeing plays, checking them out on-line and looking at their past reviews. I was asking friends about which theaters they liked and I got to meet some board members to find out about their policies and about their community participation.

Some people said they will help me get into their company and some said they will refer me. The people who offered to help, didn’t and the referrals from the others never happened. Some theater companies moved out of town because the rent became too high and some theaters closed.

It was not easy to find something local that had all the things that I valued in a community theater. I was aware that if I was to join a company I had to like the members, the productions, the neighborhood, and I had to be willing to put in company time…And of course they had to like me as well and I would have to pass the audition!

I auditioned for one company that I liked. The audition was a great experience but I didn’t get in. After my audition I heard from every person that knew this company that I should be glad that I didn’t get in. Members as well as non-members were walking away from it because the company lost it’s original mandate, it’s creative mojo, and they didn’t treat their members well.

I got discouraged because I thought that the company was good. I did my research, watched their plays, looked up all their history on-line and I realized that I didn’t know anything about the company. I decided that I’m not going to audition for a company anymore. But my goal was still to join a community theater, but only after working with them on a production.

My wish was still the same but I changed how I would go about joining. I started auditioning for theater companies instead of for independent productions. And luck came my way…

A director/actor friend of mine, with whom I worked with 6 years ago, called me and invited me to be in the play that he was about to direct for a young theater company in Burbank, called SkyPilot Theater Company. The play was TAKING SIDES by Ronald Harwood. Mike, the director, gave me the script and told me that I can choose either of the female roles. I read the play, loved every word of it and chose the role of Emmi Straube.

We rehearsed for one and a half months, days, nights, and weekends and I fell in love with the actors and with the company. I wanted to be part of the SkyPilot Theatre! I wanted to be associated with them and I wanted to be amongst these amazing actors for many more productions!

I worked my ass off. I promoted the play, brought in people, even organized a bike ride to fill the seats and to show my friends how awesome this company was. I built the company a website and I posted the production on several theater related sites for free. I made myself available whenever they needed me. I worked like I was obsessed and it paid off.

After the play ended, one of the producers asked me if I was interested in joining the Company. I tried to stay cool and just told him that I’ll think about it, but before I could finish the sentence I jumped into his arms and said “Yes! Yes! I would love to!”

I can’t tell you how happy I am about becoming a member of the SkyPilot Theatre Company! I’m ecstatic! I’m proud because I worked hard and I earned my Membership. I’m overwhelmed to be amongst these talented actors who have a vision and the passion to work on stage. I’m honored and I’m thankful for them for seeing my passion, my love, my dedication and my talent to invite me to to make my wish come true!