So, I’ve been bad with this blog.
Like, really bad. Like not updating since August bad. But as it turns out, I’ve had a lot of very fun things to do since August, and I’m finally ready to process it all and get back on the blog-wagon. In a tribute to Stephen Heatley’s famous ‘samplers’ (UBC kids will know what I mean here), here are a few of the valuable lessons I’ve learned in my first 9 months out of theatre school.
GOOD ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH – Vancouver Fringe Festival
I spent a lot of time running around the campus of the Vancouver International Fringe Festival this year, seeing as many shows as possible and flyering my tired butt off for Oh My God with Delinquent Theatre. I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of artists, both local and visiting, national and international. I saw a lot of amazing theatre, and a few disappointments. The common thread between the best shows? Attention to detail. Without fail, the shows I enjoyed the most were created by artists who integrated storytelling, design, and atmosphere without sacrificing any quality due to lack of resources, or simply letting something be “good enough”. From the international Fringe vets to the first-timers and wild Onsite shows, my favorite theatrical creations showed evidence of great care and vigilant creative standards in every aspect of the show. It reminded me to always look at my own work and think – could it be better? What can I do to keep moving forward?
A CAREER IN THE THEATRE IS NOT LINEAR – Making a Scene Conference
In November I attended the Making A Scene Conference, presented by the GVPTA. If you have never attended the conference before, I strongly, strongly recommend you do. The short form explanation of MAS is a gathering of the best minds in the BC theatre scene gathered in a room to discuss, debate, and dissect the state of affairs in our local theatre scene, and what we can do to serve it better. Check out the 2011 MAS report for some highlights – I left leaving, well… engaged and empowered, which was the title of the event. One of the many things that have stayed with me was the remark made that “a career in theatre is not linear”. This struck a chord with me and continues to do so. Looking back on my time out of school so far, I can clearly see that every dream gig I didn’t land ended up freeing me to do something else different and exciting. There’s no such thing as ‘lost time’, unless you make it so. In this career, there’s no standard path to follow – it’s all up to you. After 3 years of regimented theatre school where your time is not your own, it’s thrilling and terrifying to know you’re now holding the reins. Talking with more established theatre artists helped me understand there’s no right or wrong path – just the one you choose for yourself.
THEATRE IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN – Wizard of Oz at Carousel Theatre
It’s a simple lesson, but perhaps the easiest to forget. After months of auditions, callbacks, anxiety and planning, I finally got to settle in and do my first post-school Equity contract. And what a dream – The Wizard of Oz with Carole Higgins and Carousel Theatre! With multiple character tracks, 10 costume changes, and wonderful choreography, Oz was one of the most personally challenging shows I’ve done to date, and I wouldn’t have survived it if it weren’t for the warm, fun and funny group at Carousel. Whether it was through inventive and inspired choices on stage or MadLibs and fart machines backstage, they always kept me laughing and reminded me that – oh yeah, this is supposed to be fun. There is plenty to be anxious about in this career path, but it won’t be worth it if you can’t relax and enjoy the moment, and I am grateful to the wonderful folks I worked with on Oz who reminded me of that.
IT’S NEVER THE RIGHT TIME/IT’S ALWAYS THE RIGHT TIME – Delinquent Theatre
On January 9th, 2012, my friend and theatre partner Laura McLean and I got the news that our fledgling company Delinquent Theatre was officially incorporated as a non-profit society. This brings us into a new and complicated era of AGMs, boards, grants, licenses and more. It’s a little overwhelming, but it’s so very worth it. We’re mounting 2 original musicals within the first 6 months of our incorporation, and doing everything on our own. We’ve got ambitious plans for the next year and a bit for Delinquent Theatre, and you know what? We’re ready for it. There will never be a ‘right time’ to take a leap of faith – you can keep waiting for the time when you have a little more money, a little more time, and a little more experience – or you can jump in with both feet, open eyes, and an open heart and see what you learn. We’ve opted for the latter, and I look forward to all the lessons I haven’t yet learned, but am about to. Bring it on.
Christine Quintana 