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TAKE 5:
Research, Reflect and Reconnect
Leon Acord, Los Angeles
UNDERSTUDY SKILLS
July 2-8, 2009
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I’m in a blissful state right now, basking in the afterglow of Carved in Stone’s successful June 19 opening. We couldn’t have asked for better audiences. I’m grateful beyond words to have finally given Jeffrey Hartgraves’ comedy its LA debut. I’m as proud of our show as I am our dedicated team of actors and technicians – and understudies.
Having an understudy is a relatively foreign experience for me. During 20 years as a San Francisco actor, I never had one. As a result, I’ve performed with strep throat, an eye infection, a cracked ankle, migraines, immediately following eye surgery, and while shooting a feature film. (But never all at the same time, thankfully!) Consequently, I’ve developed a strong work ethic: if I can talk and stumble around, I’m on.
But in LA, where a single phone call can instantly change someone’s life, understudies are necessary. Still, it wasn’t something I’ve warmed to very quickly. I was assigned my first understudy, the wonderful Christopher LeCreen, on my first LA play, The Scheme of Things, in 2004. Having seen him at callbacks, I felt he was certainly better for the part than I. I was terribly insecure. I feared missing a show, then overhearing the cast raving about his much-better performance. Thankfully, that never happened – he never took advantage of his one guaranteed performance. Whew!
Back-ups weren’t required with my next two shows, but Carved in Stone is an ambitious endeavor, and understudies are a must. To attract the best and brightest, we guaranteed three performances (if not more). We have an incredibly competent and dedicated troupe. I’ve been amazed, during rehearsals, how often they show up to watch. They’ve been there on final dress, on opening night. Instead of desperate wanna-bes, they’ve proven to be young but seasoned professionals. We’re very lucky to have them.
I knew I had to grow up, bite the bullet, and accept the inevitable. But I wasn’t prepared to actually LIKE my understudy. Quentin Crisp is understudied by an actress, Trace Taylor. She’s been the nicest, most supportive person I could have imagined. She’s been at almost every rehearsal, was quick to cue me when I missed a line, and encouraged me every step of the way.
We’re both inhabitants of the West Side, so we frequently share rides, listening to Crisp on iPod on the drive, and talking about how evolved he truly was. And we’ve become good friends. Trace came over one night for a “Quentin Film Fest,” where we watched several of his films, and I loaded her down with reading material. She’s been devouring everything I give her. On opening night, there was Trace’s fabulous laugh amongst the audience. Celebrating our successful opening later at a pub, we found ourselves sitting together, hugging and squeezing, and professing our mutual love and respect.
I’ve come a long way, I suppose, because I’m actually looking forward to seeing Trace go on for me! How sick is that?Learn more of the show at www.CarvedInStoneThePlay.com.
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