Every theatre has a ghost.

I had never heard a theatre ghost story from someone that I actually knew until Friday evening. I had been helping Rebecca paint the set of Sylvia at Pease Auditorium that day (my first set painting experience!) along with my mom and our artist neighbor, Kathy, as Rebecca needed lots of help to finish before the show opened that evening. Rebecca was finishing up painting as her boyfriend Justin, James Duke (set designer), and I were admiring the set. She was also taking a poll from all of the workers on whether or not I should go to a haunted house that evening with a guy I just started seeing. Why the poll? I can't stand horror movies, I still sleep with a night light, and I was so sure I would die in the haunted house, BUT I had never been to one before. Then, the topic of ghosts came up. James told the story of a time when no one was in the theatre, and he looked on the monitors of the stage and there was a lady dancing in a colonial costume. Another time, he walked into the house, and the same lady in the same costume was sitting on the stairs with her head in her hands crying. She looked up, saw him, got up and ran through the stage right wall. The moment he said the second time he saw her, my mind flashed through a few experiences I had that day. I asked him what color her costume was, but didn't talk about the experiences right away, because I figured it was lack of sleep. Then I decided to. I told them all of how quite a few times that day I while I was painting, I saw something white out of the corner of my eye from the direction of that stage right wall. When I turned to look, nothing was there. Rebecca instantly said that she had the same thing happen to her, but she, too, thought it was just lack of sleep or something. James said, "Maybe she was watching you." I wonder why. I wonder why Rebecca and I were the only ones that had that happen to us that day. As Rebecca and I were talking more, we came to the conclusion that she was probably an actress. Maybe she was rehearsing her scene when James came in that time she had her head in her hands.

Soon after, I was on my way to the haunted house. What a way to begin that evening, haha. Guess what? I didn't die in it! I was EXTREMELY freaked out, though. ;)

Here's photos from that set painting day:

I look either really experienced or really messy with Rebecca's paint clothes on ;)

Rebecca's really fast finishing touch. A manhole since it  is set in NYC.

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...

This week I received a call from Matthews Playhouse with the results of the White Christmas callbacks....

I happily accepted the role of Rita!!

I'm so excited to get to be in another show that Rebecca has designed/painted and be in my first NC show (aside from the Opera Carolina supernumerary roles in high school). It's kind of strange that we Primms have lived here so long, but haven't gotten involved in the theatre community of Charlotte until just a few years ago.

The other day I found an issue of Backstage (a theatre resource which mainly lists auditions) that I had saved from the summer of 2010 when Rebecca and I were living in New York. The article that instantly caught my eye was "10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Deciding to Become an Actor", and when I read number 7, I remembered how much that point had made an impression on me the first time I had read it.
Here's a quote from number 7:
"Money isn't everything.
You can have a satisfying actor's life without making a dime off your acting....I now believe that continuing to act, in and of itself, is success."

Rereading that article came at the perfect time. It was during my whole decision making process whether or not to stay in Charlotte for a bit to audition. Charlotte does have quite a few opportunities, but Chicago definitely exceeds theirs greatly and would be the better "career choice".
 One of the friends I sought advice from was my long time actor friend Ryan Roets who replied, "You can work anywhere under the right circumstances, but it's all about what you want to do. I'm discovering that my happiness in doing theater is more important than where it is or what I'm getting paid. Have fun. I say stick it out and have a blast."

With all of the advice given and my prayers for wisdom, the decision to stay in Charlotte for a couple of more months to be in White Christmas with Matthews Playhouse, help out my family, and pursue audition opportunities here just felt right. Due to transportation costs, unfortunately, I won't be able to return to Chicago until the show ends, but probably not until after the holidays. I've felt bad for just vanishing and not saying goodbye to my Chicago friends (for now)! It isn't the first time I've "vanished" from a city, though ;)

a different plane

This past Friday evening, I enjoyed a brand new theatre experience--seeing Children's Theatre of Charlotte's production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown with TECH PEOPLE (not with other theatre lovers or fellow actors).

When sitting in the audience of a show, I usually watch on the plane of soaking in the actors and musicians and learning from (and critiquing) them. I appreciate the set, lighting, and other aspects, but they aren't usually my main focus.
This time? I was sitting with my sister, Rebecca, to enjoy her set painting, as well as her tech friends.
It was amusing paying attention to all of the things they cheered for, clapped for, and laughed at, because a lot of the time they were non-actor related. It was fun getting to experience their pride in their contributions to the show.

Having a set designer/set painter sister has really taught me to show your appreciation for your tech people in your show genuinely even more. So many times actors can get wrapped up in themselves, other actors, and their art, and forget to properly thank the others who contributed. We would be so bare on stage without them!

Here is one of her works from the show (also in collaboration with Tim Parati):