Summer is a strange time for actors. If you haven’t yet booked work for the summer you feel as if you’re the only one. Maybe you’re letting that fact affect your unwavering (ha.) self-esteem. You may be seeing all of your friends pack up and sublet their apartments. Maybe you, like I, have been to a ridiculous amount of goodbye suares for folks who are leaving town for the next few weeks, months or in some cases, a year or more. Because most of these actors are very dear friends of mine I am (barely) able to channel what could morph into ugly green envy into something infinitely more productive. Inspiration. Motivation. Class. I begin an advanced scene study class tonight for 8 weeks and a 5-week Advanced Build Your Book (Musical Theatre) intensive tomorrow. While I plan to take full advantage of the lazy days of summer I also intend to sharpen my skill set and add to by bag of actor/human being tools. If I don’t I am absolutely certain someone as talented, charming, and lovely as I am will be. There are only a few things we, as actors, have control over. Class allows me to regain some of that control. Class allows me to play and grow and stretch and fall. Class reminds me that auditioning is not all that there is to this business. Class reminds me why I love this insane noble craft.
I may be the only one, but I also love summer in NYC. I know the heat ricochets off of the asphalt and makes you feel as if you’re in the bowels of hell in August. I am unfazed. This city remains a much-loved and oft-hated character in my life all year long but especially in the summer when only the tourists and seemingly me are left here from Thursday to Monday. I intend to savor the empty streets and lack of need for a dinner reservation at the hippest of establishments. I have a lot of work to do and I can’t wait to get started. In the fall I’ll be the one booking and waving good-bye before the first hint of frost…
