Journal Entry #7(?): Second verse, same as the..... wait a minute

Friday, November 11^th, 2024. 1:04 PM.

Confidence in my career/choice of major: 55%

Song stuck in my head: Best Friend by Laufey

               I have decided that trying to write something “good” and “worthwhile” and “up to my standards” is an exercise in futility. I am all but convinced that nothing I do will ever truly be good enough for myself. I can only strive for “done” at this point. Especially this week. With Urinetown coming to a close and other… current events… I’m feeling a little wiped. I hope you understand.

               On Monday, I observed an hour of the load-in for Some Like it Hot. Jody escorted me and my classmates into the Palace Theatre through the stage door, which was a little spooky. My initial thought upon entering the theatre was that this load-in seemed to be slightly less chaotic than that of A Beautiful Noise. I attended both load-ins at approximately the same time, and it seemed like the crew for this show had made more progress. It looked like they had most of their soft goods hung, and we even got to watch as a very sparkly blue drop with columns printed (maybe painted?) on it went up. This makes sense, as Cleveland is their 5^th or 6^th stop, so they’ve had more time with the show and with each other.

I was a little surprised by the number of drops – there were at least four, all for seemingly different scenes. A Beautiful Noise had very few, but perhaps that’s due to all the practical and movers taking up space overhead. I really shouldn’t be surprised, as I have not seen very many touring Broadway shows, so I have no frame of reference. I am excited to see how those drops are incorporated when I go to see the show on… Tuesday? I think Tuesday. It will be very fun to compare the design elements of these two very different shows. And, of course, I’m looking forward to the spectacle. There must be spectacle, right?

Jody sat us in the first few rows of the audience so we could observe. After a couple minutes, she brought over three members of the touring props team. They were Lonnie, who had been with this particular touring company for over 20 years, Michael, who went to Baldwin Wallace and studied acting, and a third very nice person who walked away before I could ask for her name again. They spoke to us for about 15 minutes about their experiences, and their lives on the road.

We asked about the props that were used on the show. Apparently, there is one electric cigar. I wonder if those kinds of props have a use outside of the performing arts. Carter asked if there was any food (I think things that have to be replenished like that are called consumables?). The props trio said that there was no food on this show, but lots on Mrs. Doubtfire, which was the last tour they were on together. I think it’s nice that they’ve toured together at least twice – it makes me feel like I could actually making lasting friendships while on the road, rather than never seeing all the people I met ever again after the tour is over. I hate goodbyes.

Their advice for living on the road was very similar to the advice I’ve heard in the past. It is okay to be wrong, or do things wrong. It is more important to be nice than it is to be right. Touring forces you to gain people skills. Bring things to do on the road, because you still need to live like a normal human being when you’re not working. Take up a hobby. Apparently you can take a rice cooker on a tour bus! We spoke to them briefly about the route of the tour, because it seemed a little nonsensical – Detroit, to I think Minnesota, then back to Cleveland? Evidently that’s not too uncommon. It’s just the way the schedules line up with other touring shows and at the theatres. According to the props trio, if a leg of the tour is over 300 miles away from the previous city, they get to fly rather than take a sleeper bus, which is pretty cool.

Before the end of our hour, Jody took us out to the lobby, where the orchestra had set up to practice. I found it kind of funny that all the chairs and music stands were just set up on the floor next to the bar. I understand that there’s not that much space in these theatre complexes for things like that, but it was still amusing to see. Such a fancy theatre and such a complicated operation they’re running, and they have nowhere to put the orchestra but the lobby.

My confidence in my future career is at 55% currently, which is about where it’s hovered over the course of this class, give or take 10%. I know I am a capable person. I know I am a kind person. At least, I try very, very hard to be. I just worry that all the kindness in the world won’t counteract my anxiety when it come to meeting and speaking to new people. I know that those with better social skills than me will have an easier time finding jobs and making connections. That’s just the way the world works. Outgoing, social people are better at that. I have always found it difficult to distill my thoughts into words, especially when speaking. I want my work to speak for itself, but I know I’m not at that level yet. I just hope I can get there before I graduate. Or at least, I hope I can get over not feeling like I’m there yet before I graduate.

Load-ins are very cool to observe, and I always appreciate the generosity and hospitality of both the staff at Playhouse Square and on tour. They’ve offered us snacks and drinks at coffee both days now, which is very kind of them. I hope they have a good show. All those hardworking people deserve that.