So, yesterday I had my first read-through since college.
Since college.
For those of you that don’t realize it, I graduated with a major in theatre with hopes and dreams of being a filmmaker. I’ve long been a writer and actor and had dreams of being a director, as well. Alas, life does not always follow our best-laid plans and I was set upon a different path. The good news is that my new path led me to the wonderful life I’m living now. I’m not sure whose path this was in the beginning, but I’m glad that sucker fell off of it so that I could take it. It’s an awesome path.
One of the great things about being me (of which there are many, but there’s only so much storage space on the Internet, and you’ve got better things to do than read 24 volumes of Jared Is Awesome: Here’s Why) is that I’ve got some truly spectacular friends. One of them happens to be a singer, songwriter, and playwright. In fact, she has one show that should be going up in New York in less than a month. She’s good.
It just so happened that she submitted a script to Kansas City’s Fringe Festival this year and she asked some of her friends to be in it. I was one of them (as was my beautiful wife). And so, yesterday, for the first time in 10 years, I sat down at a table full of creative types and started the process of turning myself into someone I’m not (except that this particular character is so easy to slip into that I think it will be a lot less work and a lot more play, something I’m quite excited about).
It’s a strange feeling to step back into something you haven’t done in a decade. It feels very comfortable, like an old shoe, but there’s a sense of déjà vu that’s hard to shake. I haven’t been this excited about something that isn’t related to my role as a father and a husband in quite some time. I was nervous right up until the moment I sat down and opened the script. And then, those nerves were gone and it was as though I’d never stopped doing this.
I’m really excited and I hope that all of you are excited, as well, because it’s very easy to come see the show.
It’s called Multitudes and we’re performing July 20th, 23rd, and 26th at the Just Off Broadway theater in Kansas City, MO. Here’s a link to the show page. You can also buy tickets there, as well. They’re only $5, though you do have to purchase a Fringe Festival button (also $5) to see the shows that are part of the festival (even the free ones). You can also buy the buttons at the venue. Just check out the Fringe KC website if you want all the details.
And gentlemen, I can assure you that your ladies will think more of you if you take them out to a play instead of the movies or a club. There’s a certain level of class they just won’t be familiar with from other guys.
