Slogging

Slog, Slogged, Slog-ging, Slogs -verb- 1. To walk or progress with a slow heavy pace; plod, 2. To work diligently for long hours
This is one of my favorite words in David Auburn's Proof, which I am currently working on at Ohio University in an all graduate student cast. I play Catherine.
I think it's my favorite word because I have the opportunity to use it so often in my real life these days. It's the second term of my three year Masters in Fine Arts acting program, and I am slogging. It's not that graduate school is terrible, it's simply that it is forcing me to work on some of my most difficult and reoccurring acting problems. Which is easier said than done. In case any of you are under the impression and unfortunately common misconception that acting is easy, you're wrong. Acting is, in fact, incredibly hard.
I am, however, trying not to be discouraged, and I repeat my personal mottos to myself all day.
1. Failing is good. If we do not fail, we do not grow. We must fail, and fail harder.
2. I went to graduate school to become a better actor, and although attempting to let go of my bad habits is frustrating, it is worth it.
3. I must remember to give my all in my work here, and if I continue to do that I will ultimately succeed.
In other words, I'll be fine.
Proof is going quite well. Catherine is an extremely challenging character and I am doing my best to manage her. As a cast we are doing very well. Only half way through our rehearsal process, we have worked all the way through doing a second round of scene work through Act I, and we find ourselves in a place of great exploration, curiosity, and promise. I am pleased.
Add that to all the class work, and of course the fun things like Friday night madnesses and you have quite a party!
Speaking of Friday night madnesses, this photograph was taken by Andy Black last Friday before the show. The man in it is Scot West, a talented third year MFA student who co-stared in Andy's short piece with me.

Back

After such a long stretch in Oregon over the holidays, getting back to being a graduate student in Athens, Ohio, is a little shocking. Suddenly my world has gotten a lot smaller (this town is tiny), and my life has gotten a lot busier. Yesterday, for example, was not only my first day of classes (acting class included), but I also did a play reading and went to my first rehearsal for Proof. I'll be playing Catherine in February in an all graduate student cast. A very talented all graduate student cast I might add. We're also working with a very enthusiastic graduate student director. I'll certainly be working to keep up with my colleagues on this one. Everyone is really passionate about the project, though. We just began last night with a read-through and some table work, but the conversations that are happening about the play are already really interesting and exciting.