Once more into the breach
I was thinking of subletting this space. But instead, I'm going to start using it as a type of journal. Excpet the kind that other people can read. Making it less like a journal, actually, and more like a cry for help.
The more I think about it, it probably is a cry for help. A cry of "for the love of God, someone, don't let me do this!" After two years of hiatus from acting, I've decided to think about thinking about considering the possibility of a chance of starting back up again.
Wait! Calm down! Everyone! Please! Nothing is official yet. Calm . . . calm . . . calm . . .
(the sound of crickets, and, in the distance, a falling tree)
It's going to be a long trek back. I need a place to vent about the assholes I will inevitably encounter. And also a place to vent about what an asshole these assholes will undoubtedly turn me into. (Thanks in advance, assholes.) As well as a place to brag about my successes, lie about my failures, and "workshop" my ideas. Did I mention lying about my failures? Oh, good.
A person I know (is that diplomatic enough?) wants to help me develop a one man show based on my blog. I'm thinking of calling it www.benmartini.com. Or maybe just calling it Ben Martini's Happy Hour with the web address underneath. They've volunteered to help me produce, so we'll see what happens. I trust their experience, as their a veteran of Second City and a comedy writer to boot. The problem is that this potentially could take a lot of time. I'm already behind on watching movies and television shows. Not to mention, I just recently started to hit my stride with Karaoke Revolution and this "show" could really set me back. I don't know. I'm weary. I'm confused. I'm lazy and scared of doing anything productive.
My thought is to work up to something like this by doing stand up, again. But where the hell in Chicago is there to do stand up? This is Improv City, man. Stand up is a lonely animal in this place. A one man show (which is really just glorified stand up in this case) is a little scary. It costs money to produce. Critics come, and then they tell everyone how much you suck. If it bombs, then I get to hear from Spacecase, "I guess we can't go on vacation this year because you blew your time and money SUCKING IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CITY!" (Just kidding, she would never say that. My mother would say that.) Yeah, I don't know. This will take some serious consideration and drinking of martinis.
If, by the way, anyone happens to read this who knows of open venues in Chicago for testing material, I'd appreciate a tip off. I am so out of the know.
Comments
Have a martini. Then DO IT!!
Unfortunately, I know nothing about Chicago. But if you ever come to southern CA, I know plenty of venues here.
I thought you were in Hawaii? Or is that just because of your picture that I thought that?
Yeah, stand-up in CA is nearly as widespread as Starbucks. Here, however, there are only two major clubs; and the occasional bar that offers amateur stand-up. The latter ones tend to go out of business by the time I hear about them.
Also, thanks for the encouragement! I've decided to take your advice. I WILL have a martini, damnit!
That's the problem with acting - it's really the only art form that is completely dependent on an audience. There are other options for getting back into it if you can't find a stand-up club, though. This may seem like a really sad suggestion, but what about YouTube? It's still performing, it costs you nothing and people are going to see you. You can build up a loyal following who will then come to your shows. And you can embed your performances into your blog.
I know I did one show at some venue - some brew house or something? Wish I could remember the name for you. It had a bar in the front and then a pretty big performance space in back with comfy couches and stuff.
Good luck! If you're ever anywhere near Boston, I can hook you up with plenty of time.
I keep hearing there's an active underground community here, so now I just have to find them. I imagine that they're hidden in bunkers somewhere. I'll find them in two weeks or less, mark my words.
Thanks for the kind words and the offer. The next time I'm in Boston I imagine I'll be too pissed on that fine, local lager to think much about performing; but what the hell? You can stand me up on a bar and tell me that I rocked the house. I won't know any different. : )