In the Realm of the Census
April 7, 2009
Like everyone else, I’m feeling a bit pinched by the Great Recession of 2008/2009. Since the upcoming Carved in Stone prevents me from looking for or accepting other acting gigs, I’ve taken a “summer job” this spring, and am working for the U.S. Census.
Alas, more than that I cannot say, as the Census Bureau makes the CIA look like a coffee clatche. They are extremely protective of the information they gather. For instance, even the IRS and the Immigration Dept. are forbidden to request information the Census gathers. Everything scrap of data is kept completely confidential for 72 years.
Its kind of exciting, as the 2010 Census is the first to go “high tech,” to use an old phrase, with laptops and handhelds. And true to their “top-secret” nature, it takes more than a password to sign onto one’s computer – only your fingerprint gives you access.
And we are sworn to secrecy. If we divulge any personal information we gather, we face a $250,000 fine and up to five years in prison.
The Census gathers info which determines levels of federal funding to local areas, and the number of representations for your region. So please be kind to your Census worker – it’s important, valuable work!
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Carved in Stone rolls along in pre-production: a staged reading, followed by two weekends of auditions for understudies and supporting roles; meeting with our publicist Philip Sokoloff. We’re still raising money, but are otherwise in good shape. Rehearsals begin May 9 – until then, there’s still much to be done! But it feels great to be so busy!
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