Final Thoughts from Bret

I am back in my apartment in Brooklyn, listening to my favorite NPR show (The Brian Lehrer Show, for those who are interested). Needless to say, I am surprised to be back so soon. I was not looking forward to returning to NYC and now that I am here, that sentiment has not changed. Maybe it is because I have to go back to work. Maybe it is because I will be in the same place instead of moving every 3 days. Maybe it is because I am not with Emily all the time. It's probably a combination of all those things. But I want to bring the energy, fun, and pace of my life on the road to my life here.
In terms of the trip, I think we accomplished much more in 5 weeks on the road than we ever would have accomplished at home. And I do not just mean meeting people and making business contacts. I think that much of our "work" was in touching base with the friends and family we have around the country, and seeing where and how they live. Now, when I talk to Rich in Portland, Emily's parents in Milwaukee, or some future friend from Missoula, I know more about their daily lives because I have seen their cities and actually stayed in their houses (well, not the future friend's house). I like knowing the specifics of people's daily lives.
And we are also much more familiar with the specifics of regional theatre. We saw ten plays during the trip, and looked in on dozens of theatres transitioning into their next production. There are several vibrant, energetic, and skilled theatre communities outside of NYC. Where to settle down? As one theatremaker told us, "don't feel like you have to decide right away where to be." This theatremaker also told us to find and follow our spirit. I have heard that advice before. Hearing it from strangers reinforced the words of my teachers, friends, and (some) family. "Tap into your life-force," "focus on developing your craft," "value yourself for your relationships, not for the last acting job you had." So I think the world is sending Bret, perpetual worry-wort, a strong message.
Ok I will stop boring Emily with my over-long post. Stay tuned for more from us, as we go on our Lunar Audition Tour! Friends and family, please consider the cost of traveling to the moon when you consider Christmas gifts for us. Oh--Halloween update! The last trick-or-treater of the evening was a little girl dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She even brought her little dog along with her, and said "trick or treat" and "thank you." So thank YOU, little girl dressed as Dorothy. This blog post is for you.

Wine and Nintendo

Here we sit, drinking wine and preparing to play Lynn Hyde's 8-bit Nintendo. Tomorrow Bret returns his car to its resting place. *tear* And Emily boards a plane set for the great metropolis of Brooklyn, New York.
Thus ends our physical journey, but not our artistic journey, nor this blog. We will return to give updates on what comes of our trip, and we will each write our own "final thought".
Today we had two auditions in Pittsburgh. They were both good, solid final auditions. We also took a tour of downtown Pittsburgh's cultural district, thanks to Kim Hyde, and enjoyed a celebratory nap.
Anyway, now our attentions must be put in their proper place. The Nintendo. And so we will save the wrap up for sometime soon.

Choo Choo! Last stop!

Bret and I have arrived in our last stop on this tour...Pittsburgh! We are staying with the wonderful and generous parents of the lovely Lynn Hyde in their amazing guest suite on the third floor. They had dinner for us (and wine) and they told us all of Lynn's deep, dark secrets. Just kidding. That was just to check if Lynn is reading this.
We stopped last night in Iowa City, as I'm sure you've read in Bret's blogs (I don't read his-they're boring), to equally lovely hospitality from Christine and her girlfriend, Claire. We had a great night making pizza and conversation. We also dressed up. Christine was a Sheriff, Bret was a Chip n' Dales Reindeer, Claire was Christmas (sexy Christmas) and I was a sexy cat doctor (as in I was a cat). We'll be sure to post a picture once I have my connecting cord back.
This trip is starting to wrap up and needless to say, I have mixed feelings about it. We have spent all of our post grad-school days planning and preparing for this trip, and sometimes I can't believe I'm on it, let alone that it's almost over. I know we have accomplished a lot, but it's such an invisible, intangible accomplishment that I feel a little anxious and empty.
Once we return home, however, we will have a million things to do to follow up and continue to strengthen these connections we have made. It is all about the courage to continue our persistence. After all, one auditor told me "I must admire your persistence in all media." And I got that appointment.
Two auditions left tomorrow. Afterwards? Utter collapse and celebration. Then, a flight home to NYC.