Dec. 23 We Win Again!!!

Show closed!!! YES! Tres Huevos # Tres Completed to rave reviews! YES YES! Going home to my beautiful Oregon and all the beautiful people who live there. YES YES YES!
What a pack of blessings.

Peace be with you, Merry Christmas
~Will

"We will all get there if we want to."

Dec. 22 Tres Huevos Rides Again

Today was great. Two more shows then it's off to Oregon.
Get to perform Tres Huevos one more time. This is the Third Egg. I can't wait. I am working with four of my company members on this one. It's sure to be great. More about it after tomorrow.
Oregon here comes I.
Peace be with you
~Will

"There shall be joy in Mudville."

Dec. 20 Time Time Everywhere No Time

Single show day. Got ever so much done. I felt just great. Woke up with a smile on my face. Got to rehearse a really funny show. Then got to work on a Christmas Present. It's gonna be sweet. Then had a meeting with Michael and Amy. Talked about some great things. I am very excited about the future.
Highlights include: Telling jokes back stage of A Christmas Carol and apologizing for "lighting off fireworks" back stage. I didn't but it got a good laugh.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Candy is delicious!"

Dec. 19 Almost There

Double show day. Draining but fun. I think that is the best combination. We have a single show tomorrow and then doubles on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then...party and off for HOME. It seems amazing that Christmas is in less than a week!!!
Highlights: Listening to Christmas carols and the promise of eggnog at the party tonight.
Peace be with you
~Will

"We can only be certain of where we are in this moment."

Dec. 16 They're Here

The writers of our Humana show, "THE END" came back today for a brief whirlwind workshop of the play we will be doing for the festival of new plays in March. It was such a fun day. We got to hear all the new material, and talk with the writers about their ideas and get their input on so much of the stuff. I absolutely love these writers and I am astonished that they can write such fantastic material in such a short amount of time. I feel so blessed.
Also, I talked with one of the actors in the other show that is on right now, Barefoot in the Park. She is just such an amazing resource. I was just blown away by many of the things she said to me in our brief one hour conversation about starting a theater. The things I took away are: Do good work, make meaningful relationships,  go for it, decided if I am in theater to be an artist or for commerce.
It seems like the more I am here the more doors seem to open for me and the more the Universe seems to be saying, "Yes!"
Peace be with you
~Will

"If it was easy chimpanzees would rule the world."

Dec. 14 Oh So Soon

It's the final Countdown to Christmas Break! I must admit Christmas Carol is growing on me. I am really starting to realize what a great show this is and what a special show ATL puts on. I am very blessed to even be a part of this as a crew person. I am sure I will not soon forget this experience. I also found out my sister was accepted to her first college. It's crazy. She's growing up.
Today was a great day. I felt confident and peaceful and productive.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Someday will eventually be today."

Dec. 13 Queen Bess

Today I was part of a fabulous show that my dear friend Victoria wrote, directed and stared in. It's called Queen Bess the First. It's about the aviatrix Bessie Coleman. If you have never heard of her, look her up. She rocks. The show went just swimmingly. After the show the cast and crew got together for drinks and we all stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking of love, life and the joys of Taco Bell. It's wonderful to be surrounded by all these amazing people who want to make magic with their friends.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Joy to the world!"

Dec. 11 Two in One

Today was a double show day. It was more grueling than I thought it was going to be especially since the show is actually quite an easy one to accomplish. The rest of this run is going to be crazy. I can't believe we have only twelve days left until we close.
I went to a restaurant called Steak and Shake today for the first time. It was a crazy experience. I had a patty melt and a milk shake. It's a place I would go back to.
It might snow here tonight, maybe as much as three inches. I have the Portland Oregon Snow Cynicism; I'll believe it when I see it.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Like Alaska my friend, you have a Kenai."

Dec. 8 Tomorrow It Begins Again

Well, this is the 35th Christmas Carol at ATL. Way to GO!  We open officially tomorrow night. I have been having some problems getting into the flow of things here with this show, but I finally feel like I nailed it. Tonights preview rocked. I really felt good. Although I spend all my time back stage, I really do have a good time and I think the show is just a real spirit lifter, and not just Jacob Marley's. (A little Dickensian humor for you there) Today was a great day. I got to help one of my friends with her Shakespeare monologue. I must say Shakespeare is a lot of fun!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Who new figgy pudding could be so wrong and so right?"

Dec. 7 Preview One

Spent all day at the theater. A very frustrating day. All is well. Need sleep and need food. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Peace be with you
~Will

"We just need a little room to breath."

Dec. 6 Mondays off Baby

Nothing too crazy today. Slept in. Went and saw Tangled. It's cute. Not Disney's best but cute. I ate delicious breakfast for dinner. And went for a short but brisk walk in the lightly falling snow. It finally got cold here. YAY!!! Tomorrow is our first preview of A Christmas Carol for an audience. I am excited. It's a good show.
Peace be with you
~Will

"The stars are smiling tonight."

Dec. 3 Starting Tomorrow...

What an adventure of a day!
 I got a sever bruise on the bridge of my nose. The circumstances of which I will not discuss here but rest assured the story is delightful.
I got to do a first reading of the play I will be in come January.
I got to take a wonderful nap!!!
Today was our first rehearsal in the space. It is going to be a busy show for me behind the scenes. I am excited. Tomorrow we start our 10X12. Grueling and hard but oh so needed by the techies.
I went out for a friends birthday. Sara is such a sweetheart. I hope her 23 is as great as mine was. At the bar I got my iced tea for free because I think the bar tender figured I was a D.D. I mean who am I to disabuse her of that notion? (I walked with my friends to the bar)
Then I went Blues Dancing. The band was not great, but I didn't care. I was dancing. Plus it snowed. No sticking, but it was still a beautiful sight. Lots of thick, fluffy, beautiful flakes falling all around.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Sometimes the pot is most qualified to call the kettle black."

PS: Made up a joke today.

-What did one atomic bomb say to the other one when asked what he was going to do for the weekend?
            
-Just goin' fission!

Dec. 2 To Begin Anew Again

Watched the run through of A Christmas Carol today. It is going to be a great show. Also the titanic set is finally almost finished. We will have rehearsal in the space tomorrow. I am glad to be a part of this production. Today was a busy and wonderful day. I shaved off my beard. This is the first time since the second week I was here I have not had facial hair of some sort. I feel great. I almost didn't recognize myself.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Love is something to be practiced to be any good at it."

Dec. 1 Chicken Success!!!

Started the day early at 7am to walk, IN THE LIGHTLY FALLING SNOW, to my favorite bakery to buy two dozen doughnuts for my fellow carpentry friends. Did a lot of hard and fun work on the Christmas Carol set and then after the lunch break my fellow Oregonian, Peter, and I made our way to Nashville. We made it to Prince's Spicy Chicken and they were OPEN and we bought delicious chicken and ate delicious chicken. Hallelujah!!! It was wonderful. I am now in for a long night of indigestion and smiles. It was overall a great trip to Nashville. We went to Trader Joe's and I bought some cheese and some organic raw honey. I also found a smoke shop and was able to buy some pipe tobacco all locally grown. I am excited to try it out. On the drive out of the city it was dark and we were able to see the skyline of Nashville from the bridge over the Cumberland river. Just a great day!
Peace be with you
~Will

"We must learn to fall in love or forever be doomed to be window shoppers in the great mall of life."

Nov. 29 GOING TO HAVE A BABY!!!

Fooled you didn't I!!! No, I am not going to have a baby, but one of my bosses is!!! This is his first born and the doctors are going to induce labor tonight! When he told us today I about jumped off the balcony I was so excited for him. I am still grinning like a fool.
Today we began the change over from A Christmas Story to A Christmas Carol. It was a great day. I got to work with lights and electrics. I have so much fun with those guys. Tomorrow I will be down in the trenches again helping move and lift heavy things, but for one day I got to be a shining star up in the sky.
I am excited to get going with Carol. I think it will be one heck of a show and when it is over...I GET TO GO HOME TO OREGON!!!!! YAY!
The only other really exciting thing is that I build a yo-yo for my secret Santa. It has been a lot of work and I have had to scrape and steal in order to find time to make the damn thing. But, now that it is almost done, I am very pleased with the result. I think my secret Santa will be happy too. I didn't realize how much I missed working with my hands. It is a very satisfying pass time.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Let's all start wearing purple."

Nov. 26 Thanks for Everything

The last few days have been great. Thanksgiving was yesterday!!! Amazing food. Good friends. I can't say enough. It even snowed a little last night! I was so glad to get some much needed cold weather. Today was a two show day. Both audiences were great. It is sad to think we only have four shows left. I will sincerely miss Elfing around the Christmas tree. But on to bigger and better things. I am really digging the cold snap we are having right now. I hope it lasts.
Peace be with you
~Will

"We can't make it all work out in the end, but we can enjoy the ride."

Nov. 23 T Day T Minus...

What a great day. We had a two show day. It was our last student matinée of A Christmas Story. This is our last week. I will be sad when the show is over. But I was very happy to nail the unicycle and trumpet part of the show both times today. It's amazing how easily middle school children are impressed. Or maybe a better way of looking at it is this: middle school children still have such a deep and profound sense of awe they can still be really impressed with a person riding a unicycle.
Peace be with you
~Will
"There is no better place to hide and regroup for the next attack than bed."

Nov. 22 A Day OFFFFFFFF!!!

Oh what a great day. Sleeping in. Eating good food. I am just loving this. We have one more week of A Christmas Story. It's going to be great. I am going to miss Elfing around. But being on crew for Christmas Carol will be a lot of fun. It promises to be a great show. Thanksgiving in three days. WOW! Christmas in a month! Where does the time go.

Peace be with you
~Will

"We don't have to be able to sing to speak musically."

Nov. 18 Juice

Made juice!!! Made bacon! Great conversations! Two show day.
Shakespeare tomorrow.
Peace be with you
~Will
"tonight was fun"

Nov. 17 Chicken

I just cooked a chicken breast for lunch tomorrow. I have begun running again. I can't go as far as I use to back in the old Marine Training Days, but it actually feels good to get my running legs back under me. We had a two show day today. The first audience was pretty good. The kids had a wonderful reaction to my unicycle. The second show had a smaller audience but they were very responsive and I think overall they had a good time. It was a beautiful crisp sunny November day today in Louisville. I love the air after it has rained. So fresh.
Peace be with you
~Will

"When there is nothing more we can do, it's time to quite."

Nov. 16 Rain!

It's raining again here in Louisville. I miss the rain. Today was a great day. I got to sleep in. Eat some delicious food, and egg sandwich! And then I went for a nice little run. Feeling good. Now I am getting ready to go to a performance of A Christmas Story. It promises to be fun.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Days like this I don't feel so far from Oregon."

Nov. 13 We're On the Board

Today was a two show day! It was great. We had a great energy and there was just so much happening it was hard to not feel amped. The night audience had several young kids in the front row and it was just spectacular to perform for them. They were riveted by the elves! I also nailed the unicycle clown part tonight. Just for today the play was awesome.
Highlights: IT RAINED TODAY. I miss the rain.
Peace be with you
~Will

"The bible got it so right, milk and honey is delicious!"

Nov. 12 Open Yesterday Go Today

Our opening was yesterday. It was a huge success. I must admit after the shows I was so tired that I fell asleep before I could even finish getting undressed for bed. Today was our second day and we had an equally great audience. Lots of laughs. Tomorrow promises to be a tough one with two shows. I think it will be a good one though. Riding the unicycle is a blast in front of such a huge and fun audience.
Highlights for the day include a delicious chocolate muffin and walking home from the theater in the crisp November air.
Peace be with you
~Will

"I'm here on the cold tile resting my head on a pile of dirty clothes; sometimes I think the best thoughts come from places like this."

Nov. 10 Open Tomorrow!

Last tech. We officially open tomorrow. It's going to be great. Elf On Forever!!!
Highlights include: Santa Land and an awesome lunch.
Peace be with you
~Will

"What did one muffin say to the other?"

Nov. 9 Rush Rush Rush

So, I have not been able to write for the last few days but it is time for an update. Had my first performance of my first professional show. I play a giant disgruntled elf. I feel I was born for this role. The show is A Christmas Story. I get to ride my unicycle in it! Not too much has happened in the last few days but one great thing that happened yesterday was WE GOT A DAY OFF!!! the first one in over three weeks. I did absolutely nothing. It was wonderful. Highlights of the last few days include: Doing nothing all day Monday, eating delicious BBQ pork and getting Dairy Queen Peanut butter cup Blizzard!
Peace be with you
~Will

"You know, this whole acting thing might just work out."

Nov. 5 Guy Fox Day

Hello. Happy Guy Fox day! Today was consumed by technical rehearsal for A Christmas Story. I am an Elf so I spent most of my time with elfing duties. It mostly consists of moving set pieces and dancing. But I do get to ride my unicycle in the show! We have more tech tomorrow. It's going to be a long and hard next few days but I'll get through it. Can't wait to open the show.
Peace be with you
~Will

"I'm so out of (clothes) right now that were I a store I'd be open 24 hours." (Laundry time)

Nov. 4 Here I Come to Save the Day!!!

What a great day. It started with a beautiful sunrise and beautiful people around me. After that I got to take a much needed nap. And again in the afternoon was surrounded by beautiful wonderful people. I ate some delightful food and just reveled in the wonder that was today. We closed Romeo and Juliet (Redacted for the theater goer) it was a fond farewell. I learned I have a deep and rooted passion for Shakespeare.

Highlights include getting a post card from Samantha. I love you kiddo!!!

Peace be with you

~Will

"I am so in the moment I'm not afraid to think about the future."

Nov. 3 To the Victor

Romeo and Juliet (Redacted for the Theater Goer) Opened tonight to a great success. I got my first taste of stage management, sound management and house management. It was a wonderful process. We close tomorrow. I know I love Shakespeare and really want to direct something. The wheels are turning. Today was a great day at the scene shop. It is always good to break a sweat and to feel like a lot was accomplished.
In other news; I went for a swim today at the Y. It was a great swim and I can't wait to go back.
Highlights for the day include: I delicious Tuna Salad sandwich and getting to go for a short run and really feels my legs working again. It's been so long since I last truly exercised! Also, winter is finally upon us. I am loving the cold weather.
In sad news, I think my car MAMA MJ is fighting a bad ouchy. I think it's a bad battery.
Peace be with you
~Will

"You only need to be a little bit above the clouds to see the sunshine."

Nov. 2 It's All Making Sense

What a great day. I woke with a smile on my face :-) went and had a great morning work session with the lighting department. My only mistake was drinking a large cup of coffee so I was a little on edge to say the least. After that I went and explored the local YMCA it is HUGE. Then ate a lunch and had a great conversation with a good friend about the trials and tribulations of breaking free of the nest. Then to Christmas Story rehearsal. I almost have the dance down...so close. Then we had a crazy run of an independent production of Romeo and Juliet. I got my first taste of Stage Management. I have gained mad perspective.
Highlights include learning the Y has a great sauna and eating a delicious burrito for dinner.
Peace be with you
~Will

"God, I miss Fire On the Mountain! El Jefe for LIFE!!!"

Nov. 1 On to the Next

We closed Dracula last night. It was a bittersweet celebration. It was sad to see these wonderful people who we came to love dearly leave us. But was also had a kick ass party hence my lack of post last night. My house mate and I went as Rockem' and Sockem' the two robots from the kids game Rockem' Sockem' Robots. I'm sure photos will be on Facebook soon enough.  On our closing night I set the consummate record for curtain setting 4.6 seconds. It was amazing brought my best performance last. Now it's time to move on to Christmas Story.
Highlights include: getting to take a wonderful and much needed nap today and being regaled with stories of the craziness that was last night!!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Let it never be said you can't have a rockin' good party in a hallway."

Oct. 30 One more Day

Second to last day of Dracula. We have two more shows tomorrow!!! Expect some crazy antics out of me on closing night, with the Stage Manager's blessing. Set a new land speed record for Curtain Set Up 4.8 seconds. WE got the the Sub 5 mark!!!
Solo mio closed today. It was a heart wrenching finish. It was hard to put something I had worked on for so long to bed. I will miss the piece but am so glad it happened.
Just a great day all told.
Tomorrow, WG Halloween PARTY!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Sometimes all we need is a good long night to ourselves."

Oct. 29 Almost there

Performed my Solo Mio for an audience today. It went very well. I had a wonderful time. This has been a tiring day and I am heading to bed. I have a huge and long weekend coming up. But Dracula is closing!!! New adventures to begin.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Dumb as choir of cadavers."

Oct. 28 5 to Go

We only have 5 Dracula performances left. Started with 59 and we are all the way down to 5!!! Also, did the first run of my Solo Mio titled Venus Envy for a small audience today. It went very well. I am excited to get to perform it for my peers tomorrow and Saturday. Today had many ups and downs. It was the last day of the Shakespeare workshop with some wonderful people. I hope to work with them again. It was also a day of anger as I discovered that I have been triple booked and this time by no fault of my own. But then again for more joy as I set a new Land Speed record for Curtain Set Up and smashed my old record of 5.6 seconds with a new scorching time of 5.4 seconds. I can feel a sub 5 here any day. Highlights include a delicious pulled pork sandwich and some delicious Iced Tea.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Teeth clenched, jaw locked, eyes burning a hole through the back wall. Let's do this!"

Oct. 27 I think I can I think I can

Highlights include, a pizza party for our last Dracula Student Matinee!!!! and setting a new land speed record for the curtain setting in the show. 5.6 seconds!!! I am beyond tired and there seems to be no end in sight. It's a great feeling but at the same time depletion of resources does eventually become a scary prospect.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Sleep when I'm dead? I'm so busy I'll be lucky to get sleep then!"

Oct. 25 Shakespeare

What a great day. Sleeping in was so wonderful! Highlights include. Working with an amazingly talented Director on Shakespeare. I almost forgot how much I love Shakespeare. Also, I think I have figured out the way my Solo Mio is going to be structured as a performance. It has changed a lot since I first put it up on its feet. Change is good!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Love her like only an Oregon boy could."

Oct. 24 Home Stretch

Last two days have been out of control crazy and that is why I have not posted. I needed every once of sleep I could squeeze from this stone of an existence I have subjected myself to for the next several months. But it's so worth it! Last night the crew for Dracula set a new record for most tech perfect performance 11 the previous record was 10 and we still have 9 performances left. To celebrate we went to a bar called Stevie Rays and listened to a phenomenal band called the Predators. They really rocked.
Highlights for today include setting a record for "Fastest Curtain Setup at Start of Dracula in a Blackout" I nailed it in 6.4 seconds. Thrilling! Eating a delicious burger and figuring out a major logistical problem with my solo mio.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Every step we take is felt by the entire Earth."

Oct. 21 Almost Done

Today we had a double header for Dracula, however, that also means we only have one more God-awful 10:30 am performance!!! Today I got a lot of work completed on my Solo Mio. The script was finished and we began to incorporate the physical and gestural language that will accompany the piece. This stuff is so much fun!!!
Highlights include: Setting a world record in fastest curtain set up for a Dracula night performance 8 seconds!!!  and a delicious grilled tomato and mozzarella sandwich for dinner; what a treat it was!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Sierra Mike India Lima Echo"

Oct. 20 Tootsie Pop

It was a sad day, my brother left to return home to the land of Portland Oregon. It was fun to have him here though. I also had a great day working on my Solo Mio. I am so happy with the team I have assembled to help me create this piece. Secondly, I am assistant directing a student production of Romeo and Juliet. I am having such a great time with it. So much fun to tackle and play with the language. Well, it's laundry time.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Courage is not the absence of fear. It's choosing to act with love in spite of the fear." Anon.

Oct. 19 Busy but Full Day

Today was the first Christmas Story Rehearsal for me. I got to play elf for a few hours this afternoon. We also spent a great amount of time working with some professionals in the acting business. It's fun to listen to people who are so passionate about their work, it is very inspiring. A lot of talking, listening working and running around today.
Highlights include, getting to see two of my friends come alive with the work we were doing with Shakespeare tonight and listening to my brother talk about how much he enjoyed seeing the show The Mystery of Irma Vep.
He leaves tomorrow, but it has been a great time while it has lasted.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Cast-iron pans are like farming, for it to work you need a good season."

Oct. 18 Sleep and Bro Time

Charlie and I went to Lynn's Paradise Cafe today. It was a good time. Then we went to a dinner theater and watched an original piece. It was a great work of art and very funny. I hope to see more shows out there.
Took a walk down to the waterfront and just enjoyed the evening with my brother. It has been great to see him.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Acting is for gamblers who don't have money."

Oct. 17 On We Go

This was a fun day. I am excited to say Charlie being here is a wonderful and fantastic time. We just got back from a bar in German Town Louisville. We had a blast. It is now time for us to sleep and awake to find anew the adventures of a Monday with nothing to do but follow our hearts.
Peace be with you
~Will

"In the end we will all hear, welcome home."

Oct. 16 Charlie's Here

All I need to say is this. We had a double header today with Dracula; two shows in seven hours. It was crazy and fun.
Charlie is here!!! This is going to be great.
Peace be with you
~Will

"This could be the continuation of a beautiful friendship."

Oct, 15 Can't seem to get ahead of the curve

Word to the wise, 1 REM cycle a night is not enough. I have never been so plagued by waking dreams as I was today. I say the loss of sleep is related to a very worthy cause, but still, a man has got to sleep or else he is going to die.
Not a lot happened today. Highlights include playing piano on the 4th floor rehearsal space for almost two hours before the show and getting to work with a most amazing dramaturg on my Solo Mio script. I think it is going to be a great show. Oh, and I got to talk to one of my brothers from another mother this evening. I have not talked to Mr. Dan since I left and it was wonderful to hear his voice again.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Lima Oscar Victor Echo!"

Oct, 14 I wake to sleep and take my waking slow

Where oh where does the time go? Nothing extraordinary happened today except that one of the Understudies in Dracula went on. The monster woke with a stiff neck, ironic for neck-biting blood-sucking monster no? So his understudy performed. That was great. Highlights include, realizing I have a passion for directing Shakespeare and what appears to be a talent for it, and the short but wonderful rush of energy at the beginning of the Dracula performance tonight after I had two cups of coffee.
Peace be with you
~Will

"If the path before is steeped in darkness, look to the stars and adjust course accordingly."

Oct, 13 Sleep? I hate the word as I hate hell and all Montagues.

It's amazing what a person can accomplish on less than 90 minutes of sleep. It was another two show day. The first show was cursed from the start and the second show just carried with it a gremlin of some kind that just flummoxed a few things. Tomorrow we only have one show and I believe the student 10:30am matinées are coming to a close. I am now off to work on a scene from the show Strike Slip. It has been a grueling day but it has made me more aware of my limitations. Highlights include, the random forced REM sleep dreams that could occur at any given moment in the day and dipping french fries into my Wendy's Frosty at dinner.
Peace be with you
~Will

"While asleep, dreams are the stuff we are made on."

Oct. 12 Sad to be back

Today we had an audition to be a part of A Christmas Carol. I think the auditions went very well. I had a very good time. I would say highlights for the day include, getting to go see Irma Vep again. Meeting with my director for my solo show and playing piano.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Beautiful does not mean it can't hurt you."

Oct. 11 A Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On!

What a wonderful time we all had in the Red River Gorge. There were almost thirty of us all crammed into an eight person cabin out in the back country of Kentucky. We had a roaring campfire outside. Peals of laughter inside. Music, mingling and mellifluousness. I could not be happier with the way to trip turned out. I wish we could go again soon. Stars to read a book by. To find such harmony and love among a group of people that large is only explained in the realm of blessings. I am refreshed and ready to get back to work. I will miss the freedom and beauty of the Gorge tremendously.
Peace be with you
~Will

"The spirit of a place is three elements; the people it finds, the freedom it offers and the love it can hold."

Oct. 9 Here We Go!!!

Tomorrow is the Red River Gorge trip. It's going to be great! Not too much to report for today. Highlights include a wonderful trip to buy last minute stuff for the trip out at a 24 hour Kroger, and being informed that all the apprentices are going to be coming on the trip. It's going to be a PARTY.
Peace be with you
~Will

"The spirit of joy is infectious, be not afraid to spread it."

Oct. 8 Shotguns and Blues Bands

Had a great two show day. I was up until almost five in the morning last night. And tonight is not going much better, but I am having a ball. Ate my fill of well priced moderately good Chinese food for dinner. Highlights include getting to ask the blues band for the last song of the night to be a good and slow one; and getting stay up until after 4am talking to a person who a little over two months ago was a complete stranger.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Falling in love with many wonderful people is what life is all about."

Oct. 7 Very Good, Very Good

Just finished another two show day. The show Irma Vep opened. Good friends, good drink and good dancing. Highlights include: A delicious cup of Green Mountain Fair Trade Coffee with breakfast and dancing so hard and much my quads are aching and throbbing tonight. Time for bed.
Peace be with you.
~Will

"Some days there's just not much to say."

Oct. 6 Tennessee Waltz

I have had the song Tennessee Waltz stuck in my head for the last two days. It is a good thing I like the song. But a bad thing I can't fully remember the tune. I am having trouble singing it. Today was a great day. Dracula went well. I had a wonderful meeting with Michael and Amy the program directors and I think I had come up with another wonderful piece of theater I want to try out. I am going to write a two man production of the Legend of John Henry. Highlights include, getting to play piano for a couple hours today, the Tennessee Waltz and seeing the last preview before opening of The Mystery of Irma Vep. The two men in the show are amazing. I'm exhausted watching it. I can only imagine how they feel. (Two men play eight roles with frenetic costume changes) Yikes! EXTRA HIGHLIGHT: Somehow the director worked the music of Michael Jackson's Thriller and a killer dance number into the show. Amazing!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Let it Rock!"

Oct. 5 Lazy Day with a Show in the Middle

Not too much about today. We had a morning show which went pretty well. After, I cooked a delicious late lunch early dinner. Took a nap, checked in with my family and now I'm home. Just a lazy day.
Peace be with you
~Will

"I can sleep easy at night knowing somewhere in the world there is good blues playing."

Oct. 4 Pumpkins and Apples

Oh, what a glorious day was today. I awoke very early considering I didn't get to bed until far after 3am. Actually, before I go any further let me expand upon the events of last night. We finished the second show of Dracula for the day. That is where the adventure began. Somewhere around midnight, four of us manage to get ourselves to a WAFFLEHOUSE. It is here I discover I have lost my wallet. My friend Havalah offers to pay for my meal and I agree there is nothing I can do about the missing wallet now and if I stress it's only going to ruin my good time. (God grant me the serenity...) After the 24hrs breakfast joint delicacy, we then headed north from Louisville until we randomly turn West in an effort to find a dark patch of land just ripe for stargazing. My oh my if I haven't seen so many stars. It was beautiful. Once we had out fill of celestial bodies we embark for home which involved taking the most circuitous route possible and listening to some most wonderful music. Now for today. Went to a pumpkin patch/orchard bought a huge pumpkin and some apples. Then drove home through this most bucolic and autumnal southern Indiana wonderland listening to Beethoven's 6th symphony. No, need to point out the highlights, for it was all a great day. I guess, if I had to give one highlight, it would be getting to eat delicious chicken livers at the restaurant where we had lunch.  
Peace be with you
~Will

"Never judge a book by the jokes people tell about it."

Oct. 2 Cookies cookies everywhere, but not a one for me

What a great day. I got to sleep in. Dracula had a great performance with a high energy crowd. We have a potluck tomorrow and I am bringing homemade cookies. Highlights include: figuring out a brain teaser that has had me stumped for almost a week, and listening to a wonderful musical group called Great Big Sea while cooking delicious chicken and black bean burritos.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Never be discouraged when you play bad music, just play it very loud and no one will know."

Sept, 30 Sleepy Time

Good day. Good food. Good times. That's all.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Let's all fall in love."

Sept, 29 Music Makes the World Go Round

I got blisters on my fingers I was having so much fun! Highlights include getting to take a glorious nap after the show today and getting to dance with some good friends at a beautiful park listening to good music. The band is called Great Big Sea. Check them out.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Living the dream, one day at a time."

Sept, 28 Flash Mob and Piano?

Not too much to report today. The show went very well. We rehearsed a dance for a Flash Mob several of us are doing tomorrow to help advertise Dracula. I'm just sleepy and tired. Highlights include getting to make music and getting to dance.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Most people fail to realize their dreams because they don't dream big enough."

Sept, 27 Rest Rest Rest

Today was just a splendid day. I got to work up on the Light Grid for the next production here at ATL. I forgot how much I love hanging and working with the lights. I had a delicious dinner. The only down side today was this: I finally got all the numbers transfered from my old phone to my new phone, however, when the numbers came through they deleted all the numbers that I had saved on the new phone. Baby steps here.
Peace be with you
~Will
"If God had meant technology to work He wouldn't have invented pencils."

Sept, 26 Long as Day

Two shows, one potluck and a stiff right knee later and I am home again ready for bed. It has finally cooled off for what seems like good this time. I think we may actually be on our way into Fall. Today was a good day. Started off with a bang as I over slept and only gave myself 13 minutes to get dressed and downtown to the theater. But I did make it with a minute to spare. Growing up a Steele prepared me well for that. Highlights include: cheese puffs and delicious French Bread at the potluck.
Time now for bed.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Life is like an oven, the more you stuff in it, the more time you need and the less stuff gets done."

Sept, 25 Another One for the Books

Not too much to report. Had another Double Header today. Nothing all that special happened. Highlights include: the second performance of the Apprentice Solo Shows. They were all still excellent. And I got to take quite a long and refreshing nap. I do love me some good hard earned sleep.
Tomorrow is a pot luck lunch for the Dracula cast and crew. I have decided I am bringing Orange Juice.
Peace be with you
~Will

"You can take the boy out of Oregon but you can't take Oregon out of the boy."

Sept, 24 Blues Blues Blues

Another double header today. It was also the last performance of Scott and the return of Joe. Crazy day!!!
Highlights include getting to see seven of the apprentices perform solo pieces. They were all wonderful. Blues danced my butt off to a live band which played until 3am!!! I have had one heck of a day. YEAH!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"This little light of mine, yup you guessed it, I got to let it shine."

Sept, 23 Red River Gorge

So, it's official. The Apprentice/Intern company is going to the Red River Gorge and staying in a cabin for Columbus day weekend. It really only works out that we get to spend one night and all of one day but even so I am very excited.
Highlights of today were a delicious fried chicken sandwich and getting to dance in the hallway with my roommate Ryan. ALSO I MADE CORNED BEEF!!! It's gonna be great!

Peace be with you
~Will

"Love is."

Sept, 22 Dance Dance Dance

Just got back from a crazy bar that plays great dance mixes of some really fun music.
Highlight of the day was talking with Remi, one of the actors in Kite runner who spent six years at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I had forgotten how much I love Shakespeare. (Love you Mom and Dad)

 Today I set into motion the planning of a trip to an area in Kentucky called Red River Gorge. From the Google Image photos it's stunning. Although we will only get to spend one night there, I think it will be magical. If I can't have the Columbia Gorge this will just have to do for now. I miss the PNW, but Kentucky is growing on me.

I try once more for the elusive Prince's Chicken tomorrow! I have been severely buffeted by doubts and unexpected closures, but one day, soon, (let's hope tomorrow) I will walk into Prince's HOT Chicken Shack and leave with my sinuses cleared, tears in my eyes and a big Oregon boy smile on my face.
Peace be with you
~Will
"With the short time we have on this earth, why do so many people hate like they are trying to make up for eternity?"

Sept, 21 Understudy...Yup.

The highlight and low point of today was this: the lead in Dracula, Joe, who plays Johnathan Harker sprained his ankle in the last moments of the final fight scene. What this means is my dear friend and fellow house mate, Scott, who was the Harker understudy, will be performing the role of Harker tomorrow on until Joe gets better. I am so excited for  Scott. He is going to rock it.
Please everyone say a prayer for Joe's quick recovery. Although Scott will be awesome Joe will be very much missed.
Peace be with you
~Will

"The full moon is no time to joke about losing your mind!"

Sept, 20 A Day of Rest, kind of...

Today was our last day with the play writes until December. Mostly today was a lot of fun. They wrote more stuff for us to read today. I had a really great scene. I got to rant and rave about all kinds of things involving the end of the world.
Highlights include: a great nap, buying a brisket for making corned beef, and watching a horror movie with some of my fellow apprentices and interns.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Rest assured that with arms full of groceries, out of a 50/50 shot at picking the correct key to unlock the door, 100% of the time you will pick the wrong one."

Sept, 19 Double Headed Dragon

We had a double show today. One show at 2pm and then another at 7:30. They both went very well. Much to our surprise we had a fabulous matinée audience. We are finally starting to get into a groove with the show and things are starting to really go well.
Highlights include getting to be a zombie in one of the short plays our anthology authors scribbled up for us last night and getting to hear and see performed some works written specifically for the Apprentice company. It is very flattering to have professionals writing just for me.
Peace be with you
~Will

"If this is the end at least I have a smile on my face."

Sept, 18 Well on our way.

Dracula opened last night to a great house and a wonderful performance. There was much reveling after. Some of us were out until 4 in the morning, drinking, dancing and just have an all around good time. We have two performances down and 56 to go!!!
We also met the authors for our Humana Anthology project today. We each shared something. Some of us sang, some danced. I talked about the House Boat. It was so much fun to recount the story. I had forgotten how much I miss the DCTMAY.
Peace be with you
~Will

PS: "It's ok to have a good time listening to the blues."

Sept, 16 the Clash of the Titans

Just finished a staged reading of one of the most fun plays I have ever been a part of. Due to legal reasons I cannot reveal the name of the play yet. But man oh man did I have one hell of a time!!! I hope I get to be in a real production of the show some day. It would be a winner at CoHo I'm sure of it.
Tomorrow I audition for a role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. I have done the best I can with the work. I just hope it pays off with a role. If not, I still get to show another brilliant director what I can do and that's good too.
Highlight of today: Long talk with Mindi Logan my former drama prof.
I miss home, but I'm loving where I am at.

Peace be with you
~Will

"What if for one night, the stars shined only for you?"

Sept, 15. We Had a Crowd

What a thrill to hear that shrill scream of a middle school girl. It was great. Once they start screaming they just don't quit. Everything made them scream. Dracula was a lot of fun today and a pretty good performance considering it started at 10am!!! We do it all again tomorrow. And I think we have another preview on Friday and then, Friday night, the games really begin. I can't wait.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Every chance you get run the risk of getting someone you love well deserved positive attention."

sept, 14 Gimmy That Line Again...

Dracula will have its first audience tomorrow. A group of wild and crazy school kids. The rumor is that sometimes the younger kids are so scared they wet their pants. I hope no child is forced to endure that, but at the same time, that's not a reaction many get from their performance. Although I will only be behind the scenes I can send scary vibes. So very excited. Highlights include being told by the book store clerk she sold her first, "real" books of the day to me. I bought Dracula and Frankenstein. I am excited to read them.
Peace be with you
~Will
"Good buddies, the Good Book, and good whiskey, what more does a man need."

Sept, 13 We Must Keep Abreast of the Times

The Sept 12 Post should have been today. I didn't post on the 12th. But to keep my records straight I have written a little something about yesterday today.

Had a ball at the 10X12. It's where we tech for 10 out of 12 hours. It was a great day. After the tech we went to a bar called Freddie's and drank until the moon started to sing and the stars were more than multitudinous.
Peace be with you
~Will

"To sing with a merry heart is to smile with a full stomach."

Sept, 12 Pot Luck Love

I was just thrilled to get to sleep like a mushroom today. I just lay there in my bed until the afternoon and recharged. I went down to Bardstown Rd. today. For the Portland folks its a lot like Hawthorne or Belmont. Had a delicious burger that couldn't be beat. Then went to a record store and bought an LP of a blues harmonica player. The problem is I don't have a turn table. But I think I found a store that might sell one of those portable turn tables with built in speakers for about $100. We'll see. After Bardstown, I went to a Pot Luck for my friend Rachel's birthday. We had a wonderful conversation about the word love and how it is such a diverse, by necessity, word in English. Highlights include getting to preview a Koko Taylor record. WHAT A VOICE!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Try to say, "I love you" at least ten times a day. It's good for you."

Sept, 11 Uno Mas!

Today is the nine year remembrance of the Pentagon and World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Although, a blog signifies incessant babble, as best I can, I would like to inspire at least a short moment of silence.
...

Just teched my ass off today. 9am to 11:30 pm. Dracula is going to be fun. I got to hand it to the actors today. Many of them were in crazy costumes and makeup for the whole time we were there. We do it all again tomorrow.
BRING IT ON!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"I can't stress enough the importance of dental hygiene to a vampire."

Sept, 10 One for the road!

Today consisted of working on a monologue from the back of a Backwoods pouch. I was a little apprehensive at first to do the monologue again, but after getting to work with Zan, (our casting director) I got a whole new look at the piece and discovered some nuance to the work I didn't think was there before. It was also a blast getting to work with one of my fellow apprentices, Dinah, for about 45 minutes on Mask work. I am learning a lot from sharing my passions. Other highlights include, getting to sleep all afternoon and randomly meeting some of my friends at a bar called Freddie's as I went for a walk this evening.
Peace be with you
~Will

"You know you're only in lust when you can bare to watch your idol fall down a man hole."

Sept, 9 Just a Peach of a Hand

I GOT TO GO BLUES DANCING TONIGHT!!! What a great day. First I got to deliver a monologue from the back of a pack of cigars to the whole group. Then the run of Dracula went so well, all the techies get tomorrow off!!! After that I got to read a part for a new play where I am a drummer in a band called broadsword. I have some wonderfully great lines. It has just been a splendid day. Also, this Dracula thing has inspired me to attempt to write a non-musical retelling of Frankenstein.
Peace be with you
~Will

"...to drink is human, to dance is divine."

Sept, 8 Sleep So Welcome

Not too much to report today. Michael gave us a great talk about how to approach becoming a Union Actor and how to update our Resume and Headshots so that they best represent us. After that I went to Dracula rehearsal. I finally got to play with the rats. It was a lot of fun. Highlights for today include fried rice for dinner and a big glass of Orange Tang. I am going to try and get to bed early tonight. Tomorrow seems to hold the promise of even more adventure.
Peace be with you
~Will
"No matter the rush, there is always time to make sure you turned off the stove!"

Sept, 7 Get Down With Your Bad Self

This was a most strange day. I awoke. I made coffee and breakfast. I showered. I spent most of today limping due to three quarter sized blood blisters on the bottoms of both feet from my attempts at impersonating Pele. I went to a workshop where I felt as though my legs were about to run away with the milk maid and leave me stranded in my seat with a stunned look of furious incredulity. After my jittery morning, was the beginnings of what is sure to be a very long and arduous tech process before the opening of Dracula. Highlights: I got to meet the rats I will be in charge of wrangling  today. They are very sweet. And I got to do some wonderful Commedia  work with Ryan this evening.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Although lifetimes have been spent trying to take off the social mask, is it not strange we seem to communicate more truthfully with them on?"

Sept, 6 Four Roses

It was a glorious day. There was a pick nick in our honor at a beautiful fountain. Lots of good food and good fun. Played my ass of in a great game of soccer which ended in a draw at 10 to 10. I did the newest installment if Tres Huevos and it was wonderful. I think this whole Commedia thing could really go some place. I love it.
Peace be with you
~Will

"The road my be long and winding, but anyone can handle for 24 hours what they feel for a lifetime would kill them."

Sept, 5 Caves will crumble.

We all took down our caves today. It was a sad day but a good day, very cathartic. I went to my first meeting for the crew of Dracula. It is a massive show with a 58 performance run! I get to do all kinds of fun stuff so I know I will be busy for the shows. Highlights include getting to play with the rats we have in the show. There are three live rats, Alice, Spot and Jackie. I am very excited to have my first experience in a professional setting.
I also went to my first Louisville Bats baseball game. The Bats lost but I still had a good time.
Who knows what adventures tomorrow holds, but I can't wait for them.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Learn to seize the rare times life lets you truly be fearless."

Sept, 4 SEE YOU REAL SOON

Today was bitter sweet. Like my favorite type of chocolate, dark but oh so rich and flavorful I can't help but savor it as I devour as fast as I can stand. This was our last day with Annie. I couldn't say good bye. I will miss her terribly. But, I vow to work with her again as soon as I can. The Incomparable Annie.
The piece I have been working on for the last few days came together beautifully. I performed with both my African and European neutral masks. The ripples of the plunge into the waters of this solo piece are still deep and fast. I hope I don't drown. I have many life guards here. I am safe. I have my next installment of Tres Huevos on Monday night at 9:17. Introducing Louisville to a new character!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Mothers kiss like the ocean."

Sept, 3 To nice a jump to rush!!!

Sorry about no post yesterday. To much was happening. The first official show of the season opened last night, Kite Runner, it was fantastic, and there was a huge opening party after. So, most of us were out into the wee hours of the morning, celebrating and I was no exception. One other thing to note, I did write the beginnings of a ten minute one person show.
As for today. I have been working on what I would call a religious solo piece. Exactly which religion it focuses on is a bit of a mystery. I will be performing it in rough tomorrow for the group. I am very excited and very nervous. It should be a good conversation starter. To briefly sum up, it is based on the idea that in the before time, 'man' (the language I want is tough to achieve here) was asked to birth 'his' own mother Earth. The repercussion of such a gift is 'he' can never again give birth. I'll let you know how is goes tomorrow.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Thank God the Earth stays turning like it does, for if it stopped, all at once, we'd go crashing East at 1,000 miles per hour!"

Sept, 1 SUCCESS!!!

WOW!!! What a rush. I can't believe it's over. I performed my first site specific solo piece. It was a five minute Commedia piece about the different reactions of three characters discovering that the church was closed. The title was Tres Huevos. It was performed in front of the three beautiful red doors of a church in down town Louisville. There was an audience of about twenty people in room 820 of the hotel across the street to watch the show. I could not hear them or see where they were but I knew they were there. When I came into the room after the show I was greeted with a heroes welcome of applause. I think I am no longer the only person here at ATL who is transfixed by Commedia dell'Arte. I'm hooked. I can't wait to do another one.
Peace be with you
~Will

"We may not always be able to hear it or feel it, but never doubt, we are all loved."

August, 31 Smoken!!!

I got another chance to work with my Commedia masks today. I basically posed the question to all of them, what would you do with a 25 foot piece of thick black rope? The results were quite varied and quite entertaining. It was a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun. In other news I decided that I am going to do a solo piece in front of an old church with three beautiful red doors tomorrow night. I am very excited to see what happens. It will be a great opportunity for me to learn and grow.
Peace be with you
~Will
"One does not put on a Mask, one becomes a Mask."

August, 30 What a freaking GREAT DAY!!!

Today was too good for words so I won't even try to explain.

In other new. I was cast in A Christmas Story! I am one of the dancing elves. All I have to say about that is "(I'll) Shoot my eye out."

Peace be with you
~Will

"Look at you! Look at me? Look at YOU!"

August, 29 Let the Caves Begin.

Sleeping in felt GREAT! I had such a wonderful day today. I cooked a delightful breakfast and then cleaned the kitchen. It felt so good to have a nice clean place to keep my food. Then I watched the Ironpeople go by for a while. I have decided I want to do one. I hate swimming and running so I feel like this is going to be a good thing for me!
This evening I went to the theater to meet our guest solo performance artist Annie. She rocks. Her first assignment for us was to build a cave. What a great task that was. I am very excited to be working with her.
Peace be with you.
~Will

"Climbing out of the cave where our deepest darkest secrets are kept can be like seeing the sun for the first time."

August, 28 Close it on up!

Today was our closing day. It was a short run to  be sure but a good one. I was so glad to have been part of such a great show. I love all the people here. After the run I went to Nashville and had some delicious fried chicken. Prince's Chicken was closed but Bolton's was a close second. After that I went to the Kentucky State Fair. It was a great time. To top off the night I went to the grand opening of a new bar in Louisville. It's been a good night. Tomorrow we have the day off for the most part. Sleepin' in!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Love like it's going out of style."

August, 27 One down, one to go!

The show was a smash hit. It went better than I expected and was just so much fun to be back on the stage again.I also watched the run of the first half of Dracula!!! It is sure to be quite a spectacle. There are all kinds of sound effect and costumes. It's like a magic show!!! I just finished watching fireworks down on the waterfront. I think they are in honor of all the Ironpeople who are about to compete in the Kentucky Ironman. Each person in one day will complete a 2.4 mile swim! Followed by a 114 mile bike ride!!  and conclude with a 26.2 mile RUN!!! At least they all get great looking legs out of the deal. In honor of all those calories they will be burning I am planning a trip to Prince's Spicy Chicken Shack tomorrow. Time to read another play.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Time only holds mute those who can tell it."

August, 26 It's Showtime!!!

Today was our last day of rehearsal for the Group Project. Tomorrow we open!!! The run in the new space went very well and I think there is going to be a pretty good house tomorrow. I guess a lot of people are very excited to see the work we have done. I must admit it feels good to be doing a show again. The highlights of today were walking to work this morning in pleasant cool Louisville air. At lunch I read a great play, "I Have Loved Strangers" and tonight we went out for Daniel's birthday. Today was a good day.
Peace be with you
~Will

"I want God to love me so deeply my bones ache!"

August, 25 It's Great to Stay Up Late!!!

We had our first successful run-through today. We actually did so well most of us were let go early. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to take a much needed nap after last night's revels. It's very exciting. Tomorrow is our last rehearsal day and then we open on Friday and close Saturday. It's a short but good run. I am excited to see everyone's game face.
Peace be with you
~Will

"A legacy is what your reputation stands and walks around on."

August, 24 My my my, it's a beautiful world.

Not much to report today. Except that I found a place that sells delicious growlers of beer for $8.00. Such good beer for so little. I love it. The play is coming along nicely. I think we have a show that will rock and roll.
Peace be with you
~Will


"When you tell lies, tell big ones. Lies, steaks and meat balls must be big or not at all."
-Brighella

August, 23 KA-BLAM!!!

Today was our day off. I slept in. I did laundry and wrote a blues song. I played on my unicycle and juggled while listening to Jimmy Eat World, Bach and Beethoven!!! Saw a fantastic dinner theatre piece about a super hero named Ka-Blam and then schmoozed with the cast after. All that's missing is most of the phone numbers from my old phone. But in due time all will be right again.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Tans are like cockroaches, once the sun is gone they run out."

August, 22 Who Knew Unicycle Was So Hard?

Last day of the apprentice work week. Not too much happened today. The apprentices arrived at 10am which means we all got an extra hour of sleep. GREAT! Then we just worked the transitions and were let go before noon! DOUBLE GREAT!! It is going to be a great show. I can't believe two weeks ago there was nothing and now we have a 50 minute show. I also spent a delightful amount of time refreshing myself on the intricacies of riding a unicycle this afternoon. Which on my mono-wheel ride home attracted quite a bit of attention from some very cute girls. TRIPLE GREAT!!! Unicycling is a lot like I imagine learning to walk was for me.
Peace be with you
~Will

"The hardest things in life often become their own reward once they've become easy."

August, 21 Motorcycle Mixed with Fighter Jet Nailgunned to a Battle Ship!!!

What a crazy day. I have never been so punchy so early in the morning with so much sleep before hand. I think the hours and the heat are starting to get to me. Today was the first time we were able to run the whole Group Project show from start to finish. Although there are quite a few rough spots, it is a great show. There is even a little bit of a buzz around the show in the office. I can't wait to perform it. Highlights for today include laughing so hard I cried and making corn bread to go along with the Mac and Cheese I was having for dinner. Today I could feel the love of the group really come together. It was a good day!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Even if there's no time for it, always grab dessert!"

August, 20 A Little Birthday Goes a Long Way

Today we finished the song and almost finished the conclusion of the show. It was also the first time we were able to party with the cast of Dracula. Today was Becca's birthday and so there was much rejoicing and singing. I think the highlights were getting to construct a cheer leading stunt and mask it under the guise of a creative movement piece about the Point of No Return, getting to race one of the cast members of Kite Runner on a two person slip and slide at Becca's party this evening and winning the Water Balloon Toss Tournament of Champions with Mark (Renfield in Dracula)!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"Dancing is like falling in love, the dips are the best part."

August, 19 ROCK AND ROLL!!!

Today we finished the song and its lyrics. It is a little rough and some of the melody parts don't line up all the way, but that can all be smoothed out with practice. There was also a huge push to flesh out majority of the transitions. It is going to be a show!!! It was also a little bitter sweet today. This was the first day that many of the apprentices were asked to go off for rehearsal for Dracula. This meant we did a lot of work on the Group Project in fragmented groups and not as a whole unit. But it also meant that we are finally fully immersed in the experience. It's only gonna get crazier from here!!!!
Peace be with you
~Will

"My biggest fear isn't everyone forgetting me after I die, but no one remembering me while I'm alive."

August 18, Houston we have a play!!!

It is astonishing what about thirty people, many hours of creative energy and a little well placed direction can accomplish! Today we saw the skeleton of our group project take it's first bone rattling steps towards a final fleshed out performance. To recap today: the intro, the body and many of the transition components were either sketched out with blocking or concept pieces were put into place. Highlights include helping write and then performing a song that will have some place in the show and sharing with the group my running from the law and streaking story. BONUS: It was a manageable temperature today and I think tonight might be an under-the-bed-covers-night and not another on-top-of-the-covers-on-a-sweat-soaked-towel-night.
Peace be with you
~Will

"All too often both rock bottom and salvation sit just beyond the decision to cross our moral point of no return."

August 17 Here we go again on our own!!!!

Today we finally figured out what all the components of our independent group project are going to be. After much stressing, laughing, some gnashing of teeth and exhaustion, we have all the pieces. It's now a matter of putting them all together in the right order. Our project is the love child of the Barefoot Bandit story and the idea of Fame and all its trappings. If there is a way to make a fruitful and captivating piece of art from that we are going to find it. I am very excited for the adventures that await tomorrow.
Peace be with you
~Will

"If it's true open eyes are windows to the soul, I hope I never blink again."

August, 16 PARTY TIME

"Oh, what a night!"
There was a huge party and pot luck out at the scene shop tonight. Everyone was in fine form for so many people all running around. It was fun to see so many of the people that are involved in ATL. After tonight I feel very confident that I am in good hands here in Louisville. The high points were getting to meet tons of new people and deviled eggs. The low points were losing at Corn Hole and getting some wine spilled on me. Overall the night was a stellar and entertaining evening.
Peace be with you
~Will

"Broken dreams only die whilst awaiting another try."

The First Week Aug 6-16th

I have already been here ten days. Unbelievable! The people here, not just the ones in the program, but the people in Louisville are amazing. It is such a blessing to be surrounded but such charming and wonderful people. The weather has been a touch on the warm side. By that it is meant, the weather has been comparable to living inside a Denver Bronco's defensive lineman's armpit. But like bad chilly, this too shall pass.
To say we have been busy would be an understatement. Every day has been an exhausting gauntlet of mental exercises each delightfully equipped with their own individual reward. It's safe to say the highlights have been the auditions and working on the group project. Although I was not cast in Dracula or The Mystery of Irma Vep, I am very much looking forward to finding out where I will be placed as a crew member and how the Group Project is going to turn out. Until next time...
Peace be with you
~Will