Day Three

San Bruno the next morning

Last night, Day Three of rehearsals for Angels in America, I walked in at 6pm to warm up the stage. In Theater (rule of thumb) on time is 15 minutes early and if you have to warm yourself up you should be there AT LEAST 15 minutes before that…so I was there at 6:00pm.

As I started to warm up the stage a wave of sorrow washed over me. I was no longer upity like I usually am as I dance back and forth across the stage; I felt heavy and not ready to accept the material we were about to read.

We played hug tag and the endorphins were just not cutting it. We finished the last two scenes of Millennium Approaches and then delved strait into Perestroika.

I’m extremely excited for the up-and-coming talent at Saint Mary’s. The men playing Joe and Lou read their scene at the beach standing less than a foot in front of me. There was so much tension between them; such great being and listening. I put my head in my hands when I could no longer handle the abandonment and disappointment between these characters.

It felt cathartic, as it should, to cry as Lou left Joe cold and alone at the beach…as Joe remained stationary on stage.

I decided I need to dive into Emily and Sister Ella Chapter. They are such opposite characters–Emily is surrounded by horrific scenes everyday. In her ward, ev.er.y.day, she sees mostly men die or slowly become delusional. She counts their lesions and checks their glands and changes their drips and tries to be reassuring.
I wonder why Roy gets Belize as a nurse and Prior gets Emily.
I wonder what the differences are between the two hospitals, between the two nurses.
I wonder if Emily really even works there or if she is simply his angel, everywhere.

Sister Ella Chapter is vastly different. Everyday, in her career, she sees family and homes. In essence she sells stability and beauty. She is obsessed with the beautiful things in life, including Mormonism–the American religion–and its roots. But she smokes…which throws me off…except for the fact that smoke–in a theater–usually has a sense of mysticism about it–maybe its the only magical thing we see about her besides her warning to Mother Pitt. I imagine Sister Ella Chapter to look like an older Betty Davis.

Betty Davis inspiration for Sister Ella Chapter

When I got in the car at 10:15, my mother informed me that an explosion had happened in San Bruno at 6:15pm. A PG&E gas line broke underground and shot up flames six stories high. Twenty houses collapsed, at least three people died, many were hospitalized for burns. Now there is a crater the size of a valley–is how its being described. I dont see this as destiny, I think this is fate, I think it is just a coincidence that I felt heavy as a tragedy occured.

San Bruno Fire

AIDS Inspired Images

Jacob Wrestles the Angel

by Keith Haring

by Keith Haring

Silence Means Death

CAST

Today I got the phone call telling me I had been cast as the Angel in Saint Mary’s College of California’s Fall 2010 production of Angels in America, by Tony Kushner.

So, I’ve started this blog. It’s about acting and life. It’s about doing and being. It’s about the difference between destiny and coincidence.

This is my third production at Saint Mary’s College of California.
I will be playing the Angel, Emily, and the Homeless Woman in the Bronx.
I have watched the HBO Series–except for the very last part, which I will be getting on top of immediately.
I have read the play by Tony Kushner.
I have taken notes on the three characters.
I have made note of each time “America” is said in Millennium Approaches.
I have done only the foundation of work I’ve needed.

It is time to really delve into the script and these characters. I will not lose the choices I’ve made by adding to my knowledge of the character; more research is necessary…but more life experience is vital.

I just got a text from a friend I’ve known since we were nine weeks old. Last night my friend held her grandmother as she passed away:

“Hi love. My grammy passed away last night as I held her. It’s been quite an intense and upsetting couple of days. I layed in bed with her after she died and held her hand, cried, and told her stories. I can still feel her presence and I know that she will be with me forever.”

I believe, wholeheartedly, when you talk about someone they are never too far away.

Today I was cast as an Angel. This summer I had angels and I became an angel for others. I am reminded that guardian spirits take all forms but more importantly I am reminded to be grateful for what is shared between you and your guardian.