Seriously though,

We've begun rehearsal for our first show (Grand Prize). It's one of two shows directed by a company member, and the remaining three shows in the season are directed by the theater's creative director. It's a gratifying experience to be involved in a show that is almost entirely student produced; There's a very collaborative atmosphere that can't be achieved with a clear-cut authority figure playing puppeteer. Technical design and production is also in the hands of company members, including set construction, lighting design and costuming. The company's fourteen members are given various technical duties in addition to the roles they will perform and assigned to work in costuming, set construction or the prop shop. As the 'house manager' I belong to none of the groups listed above but rather have been placed on a strange sort of pedestal that instead of rising above the petty pace is buried under its weight. I do a lot of painting, weeding and general cleaning. I'm essentially responsible for the appearance of the theater everywhere EXCEPT for the stage. Although at first I was discouraged by the nature of the job my spirits have been steadily rising due largely to several factors. I've learned lots of very practical skills, theater related and otherwise. Despite tiny budgets, limited time and work-laden personnel I'm confident that we will be producing high quality shows. The set for Grand Prize is finished almost in its entirety after seven days and looks better than sets I've seen take six times as long to produce, a testament both to the skill of the construction crew and the extreme length of our work days, which start at 9:00 A.M and end at 11:30 P.M. Having been involved in rehearsals I can testify to the talent and work ethic of the other actors, all of whom have much to offer and will be (unbeknownst to them) teaching me as much or more than any cast I've worked with before. It's a great experience to be pursuing art surrounded by a bunch of people who are pursuing art surrounded by a building that has housed art for 44 years surrounded by... Nebraska. On a personal note I remain diligent in my pursuit of the ultimate farmer's tan. On a less personal note wasps are capable of reproducing at a disturbing rate and I'm only one man.

Song of the hour: Almost Crimes