In the Rough - The Blog of Joel McDonald Jr.

Playing “Richard Henry Lee” in 1776 has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I could not have asked for much better a show and people to get my feet wet in theatre again. Literal-LEE, it’s been a blast and I wanted to do more. Even before opening night, I was making plans to serve on the crew for the next production at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor as Assistant Light Designer and work the light board during the show.

I still went to auditions for Laughter on the 23rd Floor to gain some good auditioning experience and to sort of bring some energy and comfort to those auditioning, especially those who might be auditioning for the first time. It’s always easier to be on stage when someone you’re auditioning with is comfortable and energizes the scene. I had consciously decided that I did not want a part in the show. I wanted to learn the theatre lighting system and also have a bit of a break between 1776 and whatever else I might go out for.

Well, as it turns out, my name was included when callbacks were announced. This very much surprised me, especially considering that I had told the director that I was not interested in having a part in her show, but in working on the crew. However, the cards fell in such a way that she and others felt that I should reconsider.

I spent a good part of yesterday considering whether I would accept a role if offered. I don’t mean to sound like some pompous jerk who feels himself too good for the show, or some male diva throwing his weight around. Trust me, if there is anyone who has second thoughts about what he can bring to the stage, it’s me. I just wasn’t sure if I really wanted to press my luck, or strain my time and energy, in attempting to be casted, rehearse, and then perform the show. By mid-day, I decided that doing the show was a great opportunity that I would be lucky to have if casted, and would accept a part if offered.

Tonight was callbacks, and it seemed that every combination of actors was used to read every part that was being considered. By the end of the night, I really had no idea where I stood. In fact, I doubted that I would be offered a part at all. Turns out, I was wrong. I was offered and I accepted the part of “Lucas Brickman”, the autobiographical character of Neil Simon as a young comedy writer on a television show. Lucas also serves as the show’s narrator.

I’m excited about being in Laughter on the 23rd Floor and the many things I will learn in the process. To those who gave me the nudge, I thank you. To those who will again be affected by my busy schedule, I apologize and hope I have your blessing.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor will be performed from September 12th to October 5th at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach.

I found myself in a discussion last night that really got me thinking about the way I perceive the relationship between myself and other actors. You see, I have the tendency to want to form relationships of loyalty. What I mean by that is this: once I form a friendship, I’ll generally do whatever I think needs to be done to protect that friend and that friendship, even if doing so is detrimental to my own ambitions.

Admittedly, one of the reasons I wanted to get back into theatre is to meet new people and hopefully build some friendships. Doing so has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in a while. I’ve met so many people working on the production of 1776, and have formed some good friendships with many; even those who at first didn’t strike me as the friendly type.

There is a downside to this, which is something I realized last night while at auditions for Laughter on the 23rd Floor. The reality is that no matter how great it is to make new friends in theatre, at some point or another I’ll find myself competing with them for roles or positions on production crews. Not being a competitive person, and being someone who values friendship, this causes some inner conflict.

…but I need to get over that.

It’s not personal, it’s theatre; and I have to get myself to a point where I can be comfortable with the fact that I am competing for roles, just like everyone else. As actors, we have to accept this and maintain friendships at the same time.

But it’s harder than it sounds.

Come see 1776 @ Little Theatre of Virginia Beach!

David Horsey is a political cartoonist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He was mentioned in an article in the Los Angeles Times about the New Yorker cartoon that has many Obama supporters in a tizzy. He came up with a McCain sattire that would have been just as offensive had it not been in response to the “irony-challenged” who voiced outrage at the New Yorker.  I enjoyed clicking through his work, and thought you might as well. Click on the image below to go to the SPI site.

The Politico has a great article on the Obama cartoon that I highly recommend everyone read. It’s pretty balanced in the views and quotes it incudes.