In the Rough - The Blog of Joel McDonald Jr.

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!

Click to go to info page with larger poster and synopsis 

When you come upon a challenge, it should be attacked in such a manner so to have only two possible outcomes: total success, or total failure.

Perhaps that statement is a little too dramatic, but that is sort of the way I feel about my current challenge in playing Richard Henry Lee in an upcoming production of 1776. Those who know the show may well remember a fun solo Lee has with Adams and Franklin accompanying him called “Lees of Old Virginia”. It’s a wonderful piece that sets in place the character of Lee, and one the audience should really enjoy…

…if I’m able to pull it off.

I’ve never done a musical before and haven’t really sang outside of karaoke for many years (think Elementary school). This evening I had a short rehearsal for the song, and found out that I’m singing from the wrong place; my throat instead up somewhere in front my my head. It may sound strange, but that’s what I was told.

Admittedly, I am wearing out my throat with this. I already feel it, and it’s only been one week. I thought I would just get stronger, and I’d be fine, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I need to sing from “somewhere in front of my head”. Honestly, I don’t know how to do it…

…but I will try…

…or I’ll lose my voice trying.

The director of 1776 called me a few minutes ago asking if I would be in the show. Of course, I said yes. She then said she was thinking of having me play Richard Henry Lee (Virginian, gregarious, buffoon like, fun-loving man). I wasn’t asked to read for Lee at callbacks, so I was a little surprised and very pleased. The caveat here is that she is having difficulty placing people where she wants them because we didn’t have enough men audition. So, she asked if I would be okay with my role changing if needed. I told her I would play whatever part she needed, and not to worry about hurting my feelings. I know the stress of auditions is nothing like the stress of having to actually pull the entire show together as a director. She guaranteed me that if the part does change, I’ll get a “nice” part.

So unless something changes, I’ll be playing Richard Henry Lee!