The "End of Show" funk

Most theatre people go through what I like to call "The end of the show funk". It hit me pretty hard this time. Going from spending 4 days a week with people you have gotten to know and love to barely seeing them would be hard for anyone. For me it wasn't only that but these talented and amazing people have helped me grow in not only theatre but in my everyday thoughts and actions.
 
When I was first cast in the show and saw the cast list I was a bit intimidated. I was the youngest and least experienced person in the cast, how was I supposed to go on stage with these talented people and not look like a total rookie? This role was my first role with lines of this magnitude and not only that but with a story of this degree. I was just plain scared.

 I know that some people might be thinking that it doesn't matter the experience, it’s about the story and giving it your all. I think in any situation when you have talented people around you well you feel inadequate, or at least I did. Those feelings soon went away after the first few weeks of rehearsal. I have never worked with a more encouraging cast and it was a blessing.

 This role has given me more confidence in my acting abilities and myself. A smart man told me that acting was about being confident in yourself and that you know what you are doing so just do it. Confidence is something I have always struggled with but this last 4 months have really helped me with that. It has been one of the best experiences in my life.

 Last but not least I want to thank all the cast for never treating me like I was the youngest. I want to thank Jud for telling me that if I am happy don't listen to what others have to say and for being an all-around outstanding guy. Daniel for being awesome and giving me rides and for the amazing advice that was given. Tony for being a mentor through the whole process even if he hadn't noticed it. A special thanks to RAT for having faith in me for the past 8 months and opening my eyes to new things. Lastly Shane for teaching me more about acting in the last 5 months then I have learned in the last 17 years, seriously thank you.

 In the end I am sad that the show is over but I have grown from the experience. I am never happier than when I am on stage telling a story so thanks to everyone who came and saw this phenomenal play because without you we’d have been a bunch of weirdos talking to each other as different characters.

Thank you,
Forever your Crooks, Taia Stevens

Trailer

Lennie's strength

Big Baby, dumb, kicked in the head by a horse. These are the words that stick out to me when people talk about Lennie. For me, personally, it is and was Big Baby, dumb, and ran into walls for fun. I’m not Lennie, I am Daniel but to think about what Lennie has gone through his whole life is not that difficult for me. I was always the biggest kid in my class I always stuck out even when I was just tall and not necessarily heavy. I became self-aware at a young age of how strong I was. I think I was fifteen the first time I broke something like a door handle or a bike pump just trying to use it like a regular person would. I was able to learn that not all of my strength was needed that I needed to be softer with everyone. I’m still not perfect. Sorry Tony Mannen’s rib 2014(Putnam Spelling Bee)

 For me Lennie lacks the capability to be self-aware of his strength and for that I am truly sorry for him. Lennie is bigger and stronger than everyone around him and he doesn't really understand that. For me a line that sticks out like a sore thumb is Slim’s line the night after Lennie goes out bucking barley. It’s something around the lines of… he nearly killed his partner bucking barley. Lennie is completely unaware of how everyone else around him isn't his size or strength it never even occurs to him that these people don’t think he is normal. What is normal though?

-Daniel Gardner

Curley's Wife

Confidence is something that I have struggled with. Playing someone who knows absolutely no bounds, and had no questions as to whether or not she can succeed, is challenging to me. I mean, some of her interactions with people are ones that I would only have if there was a substantial amount of liquor in me to mask my embarrassment. She is an extrovert to an extreme, whether she is played innocently or with more sexual intention. In many ways, I envy her for that. In preparing to go in stage, I chant to myself in my head "you have an OBSCENE amount of confidence! It oozes out of your skin and puddles in your heels! I mean, just look at you!" I think the thing that fascinates me most about her is her ability to talk to men so easily while still being so young. I think back to my interactions with men that I have found attractive and shudder. I can get dolled up. I can put on a face and a dress but when it comes time to actually talk, I know that all I can expect from myself is a goofy face, a laugh that is really too loud and obnoxious for any room, and a hope to God that he is "in" to that kind of stuff. She glides through her flirtatious conversations with men as easily as a greased pig slides down a slip-and-slide. She's perky, graceful, easy, while still being enthusiastic.

Tomorrow we open, and I have been thinking about her constantly. Her attitude toward life, toward reading, toward future, and marriage, and children. She haunts me when I put on makeup or have a negative thought about myself. While she'd be thinking something along the lines of, "I don't think anyone has looked this beautiful in their entire existence", I am thinking "well, this is absolutely as good as it's going to get... Damn". The more I learn about her, the more I like her. I know she is made out to be the antagonist in many ways, but I have grown to love this young girl. I believe she wasn't purposefully messing things up. She wanted out of that life just as much as those men did, and the only power that she has at all is her sexuality. She wasn't looking to pork every guy she met on the farm, she was looking for someone who would fall in love with her and take her away from Curly, his dad, and that goddamned ranch. 

In truth, she misses her mom. Arguments and all, she misses her mother and her hometown friends. She may not want to go home and stay there, but she misses the feeling of "home" and "safe". The ranch is not home. The ranch is not safe. I think that she thinks she will step into the movie business and start making more money than she'll know what to do with, and with that money, she can create her own home.

Her very own safe place.

-Meghan Burnham

What Crooks Wants

Crooks doesn't say much but when she does you should listen. There is a line she says "A girl need somebody to be near her. A girl goes crazy if she ain't got nobody." I think the defining point of her character is all in a paragraph. She just wants what everyone else on the planet wants: a place to belong and have someone around to rely on and love.

The Boss......

First of all, the boss is a fair man. He tries to give back small rewards to the men who work hard for him and are dependable. This could come in the form of a kind word or a bottle of whiskey at Christmas or an extra ration of food or canned goods. He is a compassionate man, in the fact that he keeps Candy on at the ranch, even though Candy has lost a hand after an accident at the ranch. He feels responsible for taking care of Candy because he knows no one will hire him because he is crippled and getting along on age. He tries to be a friend, when it is possible, to those who are faithful and hard workers. You do not want to cross him, as his punishment comes swift and harsh. It is a time of desperation for many men of this great depression and the Boss feels grateful to have his position of running the ranch in such hard times.

The Boss has seen many men come and then move on, as they try to find better work out west to help support their families. He's also seen many fast talkers, who try to take pay for as little work as possible and win as many poker games as they can take from fellow workers and then moving on to the next job, the next town, the next life.

So, what do I feel is the line that defines the character of the Boss? He tells George when they first meet and he's getting ready to leave...."Don't try to put nothing over on me, because you're not going to get away with nothin! I seen wise guys before." If you're straight with the boss, he will be fair in his dealings with you. If you're lazy and try to fool him, you'll "bounce down the road on your can!"  Don't mess with the Boss!

-Mike Winterholler

What would Whit give for Christmas?

During the holidays I think we all, at some point, take a moment to assess our lives. Of Mice and Men is all about relationships and what they mean, how they motivate and how they change us. I've had some time to ponder about my personal relationships. I think about one of our family traditions. On Christmas day, we open gifts one at a time, taking turns. We give each gift and each person a moment of appreciation. I feel like the structure of the show does this beautifully. Interwoven within are sacred moments of friendship, passed turn by turn, allowing just enough time for appreciation. As you are sat down in the audience, you begin to open up and discover these friendships alongside the characters. You learn the value of acceptance and of the harm that stems from being judgmental or impatient. In my role, I have many unspoken relationships with other characters. I asked myself, "What would Whit give ________ for Christmas?" The answers range from sentimental gifts to monetary gifts to socks. And we certainly all have that friend that we don't quite know well enough so we just give him a gift card. But in asking myself this question, I have been able to really ascertain an idea of what level I'm on with these people. There are characters that I've began to see my relationship with as superficial. I've come to understand that my character just doesn't have much of a story with some individuals. I've also had to decide that if I were to give any character that "I went all out on this" gift, who would it be? How do I portray our relationship to suggest that chemistry? And to go full circle, I've been able to think about those friends outside of the proscenium. How can I be a better friend? How can I help them to see my appreciation for them? The wonder of this play is that it really can teach you a lot about yourself, or can help you to do so. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be involved in a show with such talented and wonderful individuals. I suppose I may have gotten a little long-winded but if nothing else, this entry helped me to put some things into perspective. Have a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or whatever it is that floats your boat this time of year.

-Tom Crozier