The only person I went into this show knowing is the choreographer, Kristen Beth Williams. Though today I did finally figure out how another girl and I recognized each other - we did a reading at a friend's apt months ago, and she's in the current production of a musical I did ages ago, Holiday In Heaven (oh, the stories to be told...). I love how you are constantly running into people you recognize, and then end up getting to know them better. Anyway, I got this job because Kristen posted on her FB she was looking for dancers for a project, and it fit perfectly into my time frame of being in NY before heading home for a visit, so I messaged her and voila! Of course, we haven't gotten to any of the dancing yet - I hope I don't get fired! :P
Madam Fury's Traveling Show is set in 1930s Oklahoma - the Dust Bowl. It centers around a young girl searching for her father who gets caught up in this crazy, magical circus. It will be a fully staged/choreographed/lighted Equity Showcase Production, partnering with the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), and performing at the 45th St. Theatre main stage. There will be 9 performances the first week of September. I appreciate how candid and honest with us our director is. I've been in 45th st. before, but not their main stage area. She was blunt about the crappy conditions, and shared what exactly this production will be. This is the first staging of this show, and the point is to hopefully get some creative producers on board to take it into the big leagues. So, much about the show will be pretty bare bones, as regards to set, and costuming is mainly going to be pulled from our own closets. It will be the story and the actors pulling the concept together on the stage (because if it's already a fully fledged production, why the need for a producer?). Everyone working on this show is volunteering - no one is getting paid (that includes the director, MD, PSM, Choreographer - not just actors - well, unless you count donuts and Jelly Bellies. :P) It's a labor of love I am happy to join, because this is actually a worthwhile piece and I get to work with some terrific people. All too often I've ended up working on a "show" that was absolutely awful, had no creative team, and was something I was embarrassed about even being in, and most certainly would not invite my friends to see. Many times new work has poorly written songs that sound the same, don't further the plot/add anything, are A-tonal, etc. Madam Fury's has terrific writing (book and score) and I can't wait to dive into characters - I'm doing ensemble work, so I get to create several different lives.
I heard at college the only reason you should do a job is for these reasons (preferably at least 2 out of the 3):
-Money
-Love
-Connections
Obviously, since we're not getting paid, you can scratch Money off the reason list. But the creative team is passionate about this show, and so am I, and it's great getting to meet and work with so many new and talented people. Because, as I am so clearly finding out, it truly is all about who you know. I believe all of the jobs I've gotten are because I knew someone working on/connected to the project, not because I gave a brilliant audition. I don't mind auditioning, but I guess I'm not particularly adept at it. It's hard and disconcerting auditioning all the time, and not getting anything, then out of the blue a friend is looking for people and BAM - you have a part without even having to "prove" yourself. And for some reason, not auditioning puts that little niggle of doubt in the back of my mind of, "Am I really good enough?" What is "good enough" anyway? I sure would like to know. I've also been told time and again that it's not all about the talent. You can be the most talented person in the world, but if you don't focus/prepare/do the work, it doesn't matter. Dedicated passion is on my side - while I may not be the best singer in the world, I will work hard at it, learn those harmonies, figure out the right placement on my own, become the best me I can for this show. And I think too often I put too much stock in what people say - I believe things too easily. Time to focus on myself and my beliefs, and what I even do believe to be true. Fin
So, there it is, in brief. If you want to donate, please check out the website (all donations are tax deductible!). I'm sure I'll be posting tidbits here and there. But now, it's time to work on some music, and do a little research - I've always wanted to be a Circus Freak! And maybe I'll even get to do some makeup... :)