Last week, I got a call from the Festival Producer, Mike, informing me of an available time slot for Fringe. I was excited, but also felt some trepidation. I never planned on trying to fill the Orange venue, which is a massive 320 seat theatre. This would require a little planning. I asked Mike if I could sleep on it.
Rewind to one week earlier, I had bumped into a friend, who guest starred in our show last year, Katie Thayer. Katie is a writer and director, and we discussed some of the shows we wished we could produce. One idea I had at the spur of the moment was an improv show where all the suggestions are "Missed Connections" posts from Craigslist. At the time, I was thinking if we got a venue, it might be one of the smaller ones, and a SciFi show might do just fine.
Back to the present (in story time), I found myself thinking it would be hard enough explaining parallel universes in a short elevator pitch. I would need to dig into the repertoire. I called a few friends, running by them the idea of a Craigslist-themed improv show. I got good results. I then put an ad on Facebook seeking an Assistant Director, which is critical to my process. When I have an idea, I have to vocalize it, and discuss it with another person. Telling someone makes it real.
The next morning, a good friend with lots of technical theatre background, Jamie Woods, called to offer her services as the Assistant Director. I had received some very impressive resumes in my email, but having an existing relationship with Jamie meant we would have some shorthand, and less "getting to know you" time. If I had the extra 3 months, I might have been able to consider forming a new working relationship, but I see no need with Jamie. She's experienced and competent, and fun to be around too.
By the time I called Mike back to accept the festival slot, so much had already transpired. by the following Monday, Katie and I finalized the format for the show (at least well enough to start rehearsals). I also have run show titles and descriptions past a half-dozen people, gone on a program ad photo shoot, had a very fruitful pre-production meeting with Jamie, come up with a tentative rehearsal schedule, come up with a plan for my full-page ad, and so much more.
All in one week's time.
It was almost exactly this same time one week ago when I was asking Mike if I could give him my answer in the morning.
Last but not least, auditions are planned for tomorrow night. Over the weekend was the "Unified Fringe Audition" where some 60-80 performers gave short monologues and songs for as many as 12 Fringe Shows. From that list of emails, I contacted people who caught my attention, as well as those with improv experience, preferably both. At this time, I may have as many as 30 people showing up to my own audition, which is simply overwhelming! Finding a good venue for that has been something to chew on, and I'm sure the audition itself will be a bite and a half.
At the same time, we're so near the beginning of the race now. This community absolutely astounds me.
