They're back!
The theatrical saddle that is, as I’ve been fortunate enough to have one of my short plays picked for the Santa Fe Playhouse‘s annual bill of works by area playwrights, called Benchwarmers. The geographic limitation means the pool of entries is fairly small, but judging by what I’ve seen already, there are plenty of talented theatrical types here, many with Broadway, TV, and film experience—surely more than what you would find in most communities this size. As I’ve mentioned before, over the years many big stars have bought homes in northern New Mexico, and for some it becomes a full-time residence. None of them, however, were at the auditions.
Yes, the auditions. That’s what makes this little creativel coup a little more satisfying—and nervewracking—than some of the other recent productions. Not only am I the playwright (the work is Huck Finds the Raft, filled with Twain allusions, a Connecticut setting, and a little homosexuality), but I am also the producer.
Gulp.
I say that only because my previous turn at producing, as some of you know from the old blog, was not exactly the stuff of SRO audiences and boffo reviews. At least with this show, there are two skilled executive producers overseeing the whole shebang and a slew of other plays to help make the audience forget any shortcomings in mine. The writing I mean, not the stellar work I am sure to receive from my director and two actors.
I was fortunate, given that I know practically no one here in Santa Fe, and certainly no one in its theater world, to be introduced to an intelligent, dynamic director (an East Coast transplant, natch, as so many of us here are). Who actually wanted to direct my script. And who happened to know an actor suitable for the lead–another Nutmegger new to NM–which was really convenient, since during the two auditions exactly three other guys who fit the age range showed up. Fellow writers warned me that casting 20- to 30-somethings in this town would be a challenge, and that was no hyperbole. Plenty of women of all ages, and plenty of 40-plus men, though. So my next entry in the contest will feature no one under 50. I’m thinking about something semi-autobiographical based on my recent stay at my mother’s…
Despite the small pool of candidates for my two roles, I enjoyed being involved in auditioning again. I love taking part in all aspects of the theatrical process, even though I always feel like such a damn neophyte and am afraid I will let slip with some comment or display a blank stare that reveals my ignorance. Stick to the back of the room and keep your mouth shut, that’s my credo. Sitting in also gave me the chance to see that local talent I mentioned above, and get the occasional insiders’ gossip from the people around me. Wouldn’t want to spread any of that, though; this theater community is too small for that, and god knows I don’t want to burn any bridges before even laying the first plank.
When I submitted for this contest, I had a hope, but obviously no certainty, that I would get in, for more than the usual reasons. Yes. it’s a great validation to have strangers give your work the thumbs up, though Huck has gotten some positive feedback before. Despite my slight trepidation about the producing process, I also thought getting into this festival would give me the chance to meet people—especially theater folk—and possibly create connections that went beyond the run of the show. Here’s hoping. I can already tell that some of the people involved are smart and funny and talented—people it would be fun to hang with beyond the production. Stay tuned for updates for how this odyssey–onstage and off–plays out. And book your flight now for a trip to see the show; we open February 2 and run every weekend through the month. (That is, of course, a joke. Save the plane fare for when I get a full-length play produced…)
