From Maudlin to Enlightenment

Should we try to go back again? 

It's been a few weeks since my last rather maudlin post, and while I do want to thank everyone for their kind words and encouragement, and while I have to admit that many of the tribulations I laid out (and many that I didn't) remain unresolved, some things have changed, for the better. We are in a slightly better place, and it's time to return my focus to more enlightening matters.

First off, some good news - a script of mine was accepted! I can't say when or where yet, except to say that it's just a very modest staged reading of one of my short plays. It's not going to make me more than pocket change, if that, but it's still a win, and I will take it. 

Casting for the summer shows are also underway. This year I'm working with an assistant director for Dirty Deeds at Handlebar Dan's House of Old Wives, and splitting the workload is proving to be a great choice for getting things done. Definitely more enjoyable being in a collaborative process right from the start, rather than starting off doing things alone until the first rehearsal. 

But I am on my own with casting for Electra though, so I thought I would reach out here, and see if anyone is interested in trying their hand at a Greek Tragedy. The leads are cast, but I need two more people - one to play the "3rd Actor" roles: a farmer, a messenger, an old man, Queen Clytaemnestra, and one of the "Gods in the Machine" at the end of the play, and one person to play the Chorus role (we don't have room for the 50 men and 50 boys that were used in the original production). Both roles could be played by a person of any age or gender. Please let me know if you'd like to learn more or read the script. 

And while it's still way too early to say if we'll even enter, let alone get in, I just got word that the Grand River Arts Festival's 10-minute Play Contest is open for submissions again this year. It's been great fun the past two years, but we have yet to finish in the top three. The competition is getting stronger every year, so perhaps the goal is getting farther out of reach. But is it still something worth striving for? Informed opinions around here seem to think so. We'll see. 

Much is happening outside of the realms of theatre and writing - I'll have more to say about those in later posts. For now though, it's just great to be back on track, however unsteady, and moving forward in the right direction once again. 

But, I still do need to go shopping for a new coat...