It's almost October, which means next it'll be November, which means it'll be NaBloPoMo where it's new-year's resolutions for everyone to be better bloggers.
I'd better start now, since it's been seven and a half months since I posted anything significant. (The other three posts since then were more for fluff.)
The main thing is I've sort of spent the last seven months re-involving myself in theater, which is why I've had a "good day." For today I helped clean out the costume loft for Theatre Huntsville.
I'll admit that it was not entirely altruistic on my part. I need costume pieces for an upcoming production of "Frankenstein," (more on that in another post.) What better way is there to get a chance to pre-shop than to put some work in? Shawn, who has taken charge of the loft, was just fine with this. She uses this as a carrot to entice folks to help out on this project.
Not that anyone else showed up today. Leslie was going to be there, but her husband came down sick (vomit, fever, malaise, you know the drill) and needed tending to. Or at least buggy-whipped into going to the doctor's office.
Her loss, my gain of some yummy fresh, home-grown 'maters & a cuke from Shawn's garden!
I enjoyed working with Shawn and getting to know her. Lovely & strong lady who has remarkable twin teen boys, one who is on the spectrum and is home-schooled. Wow. I know a loving parent will do what needs to be done in the best interest of her child, but all through my son's diagnosis, I prayed that it would not come down to home-schooling. I didn't think I had the fortitude and patience for that.
Shawn evaluated which items were worthy to retain. Was it a style that might be used in a scheduled show? Was it a specialized, period costume in good repair? Was it a military uniform piece? Was it large-sized? If yes, then it was kept. Were they in poor repair? Were they something that could easily be found in a actor's closet or a thrift store? Were they vintage pieces that wouldn't fit anyone bigger than a wasp? If so, those went down to be sold.
I made few suggestions. I, instead, got a free workout. I don't know how many pounds of clothes I carried down the stairs or how many trips up and down the stairs I made, but it was plenty. I will feel the aches tomorrow, that's for sure, but I enjoyed the work.
I did rescue the "Greater Tuna" costumes. ("GT" should also be a post.) The attendance numbers were good enough for "GT" that there is talk of doing the "Christmas Tuna" show next year. Don't know if the same actors & costumes will be back for that, but likely yes. The pieces are stored all together now. I also fully unloaded the costume box, which didn't get done last week at load-out. I've now done my full part.
I also found Rose. Shawn and I talked about custom made costumes; she's bought ones made for her, and has made quite a few this past year for others. I didn't see my "Lady Windemere" costume anywhere. I wouldn't have minded having it, although of my turn as Lady Jedburgh, Jim Z. said I "looked like Queen Victoria, the decaying years." I did! Gray wig, more wrinkles than a prune, steel-gray dress, black shawl-- oh, yeah, and I loved it! I did "Lady W" for two reasons and two reasons only: I wanted to help Heather F-B with her first TH directing experience, AND I wanted the thrill of having a period costume made for me. I had fun. (Maybe one day in this blog I'll revisit old productions of WAY past.)
But I found Rose Mundy. Of the characters I've portrayed, I love Rose Mundy the most. I found my shift that was altered from a dress. I'm too big for it now, but I want it. Shawn thinks it might be useful for the next play TH is doing. If they use it, fine; if they don't, fine. But it will come home with me soon.
A pile clothes did come home with me today. I've got three cloaks for now and the coming August. I found some furry pieces perfect for a boggart (again, August-- ssshhhh.) I claimed some odds & ends to outfit a field-servant and a gypsy. I brought back over a half dozen dresses that, if they don't fit the cast, can be remade up together (or cannibalized, as I like to call it) to fit them. We are a curvy lot in this play. To round it out, I bought some old, white, fitted sheets at SVDP Thrift Store to make up some other pieces, especially for the Monster. They're far cheaper than buying yard-goods, and already aged-stained.
Yes, it was a good day for me: service for a non-profit I participate in; good company with a new acquaintance, thrifty and timely finds, a stress-free work-out and a yummy lunch.
I need this. I need to be involved.
Only tangentially related, a smart-phone self-pic from Thursday's delightful walk on the Greenway.
