On Sunday, I had to take the day off from editing. Not because it is a day of rest, but because I did a play. Twice actually – a matinee and an evening performance. As you may know, I was trained as an actress and worked professionally for a while, but I haven’t done a play in more than six years.

Anyway, this play, Waking Up by Dario Fo, is a hilarious one-woman show, about twenty-five minutes long. This was not a full-blown production, but a staged reading. I had limited costuming, no real set, and no props. Plus, because it was a reading, I had my script.

Interstingly enough, at the beginning, I was convinced I would just go ahead and memorize it. Usually actors try and get rid of the script as soon as possible so they can get on with the “acting bit”. I thought that it would be too hard to use the script too because of all the objects I had to create out of space (kind of like mime) -a baby, clothing, a sink, diapers, refrigerator, stove, etc., but once I started rehearsing, I realized how handy it was to have the script! It wasn’t a hinderance at all. And having the words there let me relax and really get into the character.

I also like working at a professional level (No Bells & Whistles is a pro company), but not having it be about a career, or the next job, or who might see the play and help me make a connection. It was suddenly fun to be an actor again!

The other thing I learned is that while I hope to do more of these staged readings, I really am a writer. And not just because my book is sold and I have an editor now, but because that is who I’ve evolved into. It’s what makes me happy. And on that note…I better get back to cutting because I’m just over half way there and I only have until Monday to finish!