Wild Mondays lead to lethargic Tuesdays

Mike St. James took me along for the first time to one of his acting classes. He decided to start me in David Silverthorn's "Actor's Co-op", a sort of baptism by fire, if you will. Silverthorn is a straight shooter with deadly accuracy. If you rush your transitions, Silverthorn catches it. If you move out of your frame, he notices. And if you choose the wrong monologue entirely, well, Silverthorn will tell you so. His criticisms can be as hard as a backhand from a cruel stepmother. So, why the full class?

Because Silverthorn is good. Damn good. If it's not working, he tells you, and you forgive him because he's right.

For those who want to start acting in Wilmington, Silverthorn's Monday evening showdown is the place to start. It's a place where an actor can find unambiguous critique and learn the hard lessons of the entertainment industry in a safe environment. Lesson number one: "good" isn't good enough. And lesson number two, apparently, is: Speak quickly, act slowly. (This lesson seemed to make perfect sense to the actors in the room; it was lost on me. To a writer it's always, think quick and write quick. Move, move, move!)

After that, a few of us needed to unwind so me & MSJ took Tay & BD out to an Irish pub that was very cleverly named The Irish Pub. (What's up, Goodfellas? Can't stay open on a Monday night?) We tucked ourselves in a smoky corner and toasted Raven Rock, cast members all! Except me, of course - but they're all kind people and certainly not crass enough to point that out. We drank, we laughed, we discussed inane topics and all of the things you do when you're young and at a bar with your friends. We ended the night convulsing with laughter in MSJ's truck listening to music that I can only describe as Pakistani hip-hop.

It was good times until we had to go home because the baby-sitter had school the next morning. That's when I remembered that I'm not young (compared to the others, at least). I'm responsible. My child-bearing ass will never again see size 2 jeans. I have to get up early tomorrow morning and change diapers, I need to go to the market, I can't forget the recycling...

Reality is such a harsh mistress.