Inherit the wind.

“The Play”

    Do you have any idea how many wannabe actors there are in the U.S.? Neither does anyone else. Someone has taken the time to calculate the weight of the average odor, but no one has interest in determining the number of wannabe actors. People’s priorities stink!

    I used to be a big wannabe actor. Now, I’m just big. About three years ago, I dropped my agent due to lack of interest. Hers. I’d get an e-mail before bedtime. -- “Mark, you need to be in Dallas tomorrow morning at 10:15 for an audition with a nose hair trimmer company. They liked your headshot.”

    I just hate auditions. I’d drive to downtown Houston and elbow my way into a packed room of people wanting to get a role as a pothole filler in a low-budget movie.

    Hundreds of actor-wannabes took the time, effort, and expense to drive to Houston, Dallas, Austin…  in the hope of padding their resumes. The Coen Brothers might one day say, “Wow! I see you played a member of a road crew in a zombie movie shot in El Campo. Impressive. How would you like to play alongside George Clooney?” 

    To be a professional actor you’ve really got to want it. Same way with entering a porta-potty behind a burrito stand just outside Albuquerque.

    I’m finally at the place in my life where I don’t want it enough. I’ve given up movie and TV commercial auditions. After saying that, I did audition a couple of months ago for a part in the Players Theatre Company’s production of “Inherit the Wind.” That’s stage acting. It’s different. More time consuming, more challenging and less lucrative.

The Courier supports the arts, so you may have heard of the premiere of “Inherit the Wind” and of my part in it. I’d tell you how opening night went, but it occurred just hours after my article deadline. We’ll both have to wait.

In the production, I play Henry Drummond, a character loosely based on Clarence Darrow, the defense attorney in the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. The topic of evolution makes the play controversial, but also very thought provoking. Not a bad thing, the provoking of thought. Usually.

There are close to a million people involved in this production. And, the vast majority of them put in a whole lot more time than I do. I’ve had a bunch of lines to memorize, and have been rehearsing six nights a week, but the production crew and staff are much more involved. They’re at the Owens Theatre in Conroe at all hours. They take care of the scenery, lights, sound, props, costumes… I don’t know what all. 

Do you know why they put so much of themselves into each play? They enjoy it. That’s what each of them has told me. They enjoy the stress, the time, the effort and the challenge. They are God’s gift to Little Theatre. Me? I enjoy standing on stage and pretending to be someone else. When rehearsal is over I’m ready to go home.

When you go to the play, please look over the program to get the names of the behind-the-scenes people. I’d name ‘em here, but there’s no room. I would like to mention Roger Ormiston, the President of The Players Theatre Company. That guy is usually at the theatre before I get there and after I leave. He’s been working on a system that shoots background photos on huge screens. They can pretend to be in Egypt without having to build a giant faux sphinx. Great name for a band – Faux Sphinx.

By the way, “Inherit the Wind” is directed by Don Hampton, who is a stage, TV and movie actor. The only other play that I’ve been in that Don directed was “A Christmas Story.” I enjoyed the experience a bunch. Don didn’t get after me all that much in that production, ‘cause he had about 30 youngsters in the cast. Patient was he. 
   
    In “Inherit the Wind,” there aren’t quite as many kids. I wish there were more so Don wouldn’t have time to focus so much attention on some of us older kids. At the end of every rehearsal we all meet out in the auditorium to let Don go over his notes. -- “Drummond, quit movin’! And, stick your hands in your pockets if you have to. Don’t make me nail you to a board. Oh, and occasionally say the lines as they are written.”

    I’ll be squirming in my chair just like I’m back in school. You’re never too old to get disciplined. If I ever make it to the old folks’ home, I’ll get to hear, “Now, sweetheart, eat your jello.” At least I’m not old enough for Don to start calling me “sweetheart.”

So much more to tell you, and so little space. A lot of people, a lot of work and a great script. Oh, and last Friday was our third show out of eight. Get your tickets on line at http://theplayerstc.com.

    By the way, if you read a review of “Inherit the Wind” and it says that I stunk up the place, please note that the weight of the average odor is 760 nanograms. I forgot to mention back up there in the opening paragraph.

End
Mark@rooftopwriter.com