"You Guys are Masochists"

"You guys are masochists" - Sam Gold speaking to a room full of interns attempting to make a career in the theatre.

So, I found this funny. Sam Gold came and talked to the NYTW interns today - and it was fantastic. Really interesting guy, fascinating career, and it was really informative to hear how he works and how he got to where he is now. But it was this statement I found interesting. He meant it in the sense that to go into theatre is, as well all know, a bit insane. He literally stated that there is no such thing as a directing "Career". Meaning that there's no path, there's barely a way to even support yourself purely based on your work. Only a few people are ever really 'comfortable' when it comes to directing as a profession. But he sees directing/theatre also as something the artist is subsidizing - the artist is sacrificing something for the art, to create it, and it is just as valuable as a monetary subsidy/grant. Interesting stuff. Also talked about media branding and the effect it has on a piece and a director's career. That was realllly interesting stuff.

And just as a quick note, I just got an email asking me to direct a piece at Emerging Artist's Theater for their short play festival in March! Very exciting, this will be an equity showcase, meaning I get to use real equity actors! This should be very fun, and the spring semester is shaping up to be a really busy one. Also got accepted into a workshop program called XPass: Go! With the Exchange Theatre and three other off-broadway theatre companies. There were only five people accepted into the program, and I was one of them, so again, I'm excited.

Yeah - as far as this spring goes, busy might end up being an understatement.