T.O.W. This Is The Way It Should Be
(an aside: So, today I found out something that made me question my self-proclaimed status of Pop Culture Expert. Jennifer Grey, of Dirty Dancing fame, is the daughter of legendary Broadway veteran Joel Grey. Huh. ::ducks head sheepishly::)
Okay, can I tell you how much I`m going to love working with a professional theatre company? Oh. My. God. I get a call this morning from a member of the student and professional cast, a guy (well, a kid) named Alex.
`Hello, Miss Huffman? This is Alex with OhLook. I am calling to schedule your one-on-one libretto coaching for this week.`
Um, what? One-on-one `libretto coaching`? I must have sat there in stunned silence for too long, so he went on to explain:
`The student cast members are rehearsing every night this week, but because you`ve done the show before and are part of the professional company we want to take up as little of your time as necessary until staging rehearsals start next week.`
Actual respect for my time and experience? Really?
It`s the Community Theatre Twilight Zone, folks!
Well, I managed to get over the shock and find my voice again; I told Alex that Wednesday and Thursday for an hour each night should be sufficient for what I am assuming is a fancy name for music rehearsals. But he wasn`t quite done.
`Also, Miss Huffman, we need to know when you would like to receive your paycheck and if you would like your costume pieces laundered.`
Costume pieces? Laundered? As in someone else washing my sweaty bloomers?
Well, Alex also explained I will get fitted for my costume at the first of my two private `libretto coachings`. Apparently, they are renting the costumes from various equity house productions, along with the sets (go into Google Images sometime and check out some of the amazing sets that have been done for this show).
After securing my jaw back onto my face, I told Alex I do not mind getting paid once I have fulfilled my obligation of 5 weeks` rehearsal and a 3-week run. And hell yes, I want my costumes pieces laundered. He laughed and told me he looked forward to meeting me (he is playing Jack, my `son`, in both the student and professional casts).
I don`t want to speak too soon, but I think I could get used to this.
(another aside: it is raining like ASS outside, and I have (a) a white blouse on, and (2) no umbrella. Impromptu wet t-shirt contest in the parking lot!)