To freelance or not to freelance

I ask myself again if I have the fortitude to be constantly on the job market. I just received promising news on a freelance draping/costumer position near Boston. But freelance i.e. I'd be employed for the months of October and March. Housing provided...otherwise I wouldn't consider a job so short term unless it were in the city I was more permanently located in. But that means I'd be on the hunt again for the times between. To not be tied down. To be free to pursue designs with several other theatres...but also to not have a steady income. Potentially in a very pricey city. If only places who were looking to hire would all contact me. I don't mind the hunt. I don't mind the interviews. It's the waiting game that makes me nervous...deciding if I should pass up a sure thing in case a more ideal position comes along. I hate leaving potential employers hanging. Let's wait and see what the beginning of next week may bring.

Settling in

I've been in for a week now, and we finally have enough work to keep us busy throughout the day. I missed a lot yesterday. I had returned briefly to Brooklyn for a strike and then briefly to NJ to return the rentals from Rutgers and retrieve my security deposit from my landlord. It seems like such an excessive amount of driving for so little.

The rest of the cast for the first mainstage show arrived yesterday as did the designer. Our build doubled from just tutus to pj's as well. The second draper managed to pattern most of the pjs yesterday while I was still in transit, but work was left for me nonetheless. I shift from feeling overqualified due to the youth and general maturity level of our shop and out of my element by those who have been at BTF in years previous. Liz is great. Yale bound this fall. She showed us her portfolio today. She has much higher quality of work in her undergraduate portfolio than most of the master's candidates from Rutgers have. No wonder she's Yale bound. But I feel she could easily make a go of it without grad school right now. It was humbling. I admit to being jealous. But she comes from a very different background...a fine arts major from a family of artists. She's no doubt talented. But more than jealous I felt proud of her. Genuinely friendly. A hard worker. Good leader. I sincerely hope our paths cross again. Given how strong of a designer she is now, I am eager to see her once she completes Yale's program. Hopefully she will not loose her humanity while she's there.

This evening I managed a stupid error which led to me meeting a good Samaritan. My check engine light came on and of course I panic. Not outwardly, but a moment of concern passed through my head. I made it to the grocery store, parked, shopped and returned to my car again flashing the engine light and refusing to start. Thank God fro AAA. Unfortunately the woman on the phone kept hearing the wrong information and making typing errors as she tried to help. The call took much longer than I'm used to. The entire time I pace the length of my car, not sure where to have it towed to or when with my work schedule and the small town tendency for businesses to close before 6pm I will manage to deal with this problem. One of the gentlemen employees had been watching, and came over. Asked if he could be any help. Discovers my car is not in park. Stupid. Humbling. He asked for a tip. I should have offered to take him out for a drink later in the week. If nothing else to socialize away from the others in the theatre. We are a slightly clique-ish and inbred group...us theatre folk....

On another note, the owner of the studio I modeled for recently emailed me his regards. He'd been flipping through sketch pads from previous sessions and came across one of me he really liked. Here's a small cropping of it.

I hesitate to post his website with the full image as I have family on this blog occasionally. But tis art so I guess if you are so inclined...

http://www.xldesignsource.com/abrown/hmedrawing_thmbs1.html

There are only two sketches of me up, but the rest of his nudes are worth a look as well.

Foodie

The influence of my sister is rubbing off on me. Tonight I tried my hand at a spinach frittata. Looks pretty good:

It didn't taste that bad either. And for Laura's benefit, it is vegetarian. A little over a cup of frozen chopped spinach (thawed) sauteed with pepper, salt and garlic to taste (so heavy on the garlic). Five eggs beaten with about 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and a few sliced cherry tomatoes. Mix the egg with the spinach. Pour into a 12" pie pan and bake at 425 for 15 minutes. I should have sprinkled some more parm on top or maybe a bit more pepper, but it's a generous 3 servings...or 4 moderate if you have something besides wine to go with it. I've really missed cooking.

It's nice to see the stars

The evenings out here are magnificent. I can see the stars again. Not just the major ones, but the blanket of pinpricks of various size and hue. Amazing. Not the blinking lights of air craft that cover the Jersey skies. Tonight I even caught a glimpse of a shooting star. The first one I've seen since that night years ago when Nicole and I wandered into Schmecklee Reserve to bask in the Aura Borealis. Yet another reason why I continue to take jobs in the middle of farmland or mountains every summer.

I'm on the prowl for work come August. I've found several great opportunities, mostly that of academic shop supervisors. The jobs I've sent out resumes to are a bit spread about though...two in Massachusetts, one in Ann Arbor, one in North Carolina, the one I truly hope for in Chicago. I'm not sure I have the stamina or self confidence for the constant fight for livable employment in New York. But I'm not closing any doorways yet.

Day One

The main building of BTF

I love having an internet connection. If only I could find a more reliable area to try to call people from. I discovered today that Lee, a town about 7 minutes away, grants me a full signal. Now I just need to make excuses to run to that grocery store.

Jumped right in during the first day. I'm still hesitant about draping. Not that I doubt my abilities at actually draping so much as my ability to delegate work and supervise the underlings. I was surprised to see how young the shop is. Other than the shop supervisor (conveniently one of my house mates as well) I am the oldest of the bunch. The other draper (and recently accepted Yalie--congrats to her!) comes in close at 24. The remaining six cannot legally drink. Granted this only means a 4-5 year age gap, but after completing two degrees, working at several summer theatres, living on my own...4-5 years seems a huge difference. It is a great friendly group of people though.

The shop is freezing. We're in a converted barn, which honestly is much better off than everyone made it sound. However, I am longing for the comfort and ease at APT. Stock supplies are sketchy. There is a dampness and the mildew and odor that accompanies. I'm certain once the mountains escape this spring chill the summer will be quite hot. But it is beautiful. And I am continually reassured that this season will be quite low stress. First on the docket is six tutus for Love! Valour! Compassion!

I still cannot wrap my head around the comfort of the housing. I know people respond well to visuals so here is the photo tour:

The house from the outside...we are situated on the first floor

And the lovely landscaping that adorns the front. I hear the backyard is even more stunning.

The hall and living area...yes we have skylights...lots of them. And the massive kitchen is on the left.

Our Massive kitchen with a Viking gas range with 6 burners...

The living area from the other side.

My quaint room awaiting more unpacking...it looks much more like I live in it now...and no that does not mean it is a mess.

Stockbridge

I arrived safe and sound in Stockbridge MA...a 4 and a half hour drive due to a late start and a few missed turns. But a beautiful drive nonetheless. The area is very reminiscent of the Spring Green area, only with more woods and less farmland...not to mention the higher elevation.

The housing is fantastic, though populated. I am in the same building as my immediate supervisor, in addition to her husband and three others. A tiny room. No closet, but a large wardrobe (I haven't found Narnia yet). Internet...with a power outlet currently blocked by said wardrobe. And hit or miss phone service.

Work begins tomorrow and should I manage to unpack the rest of the car into my tiny space, I may yet explore the town. However I have a sneaking suspicion that just like Spring Green, everything has a tendency to close down around 5pm.

End of an Era

It's difficult to believe that I've been out in New Jersey for three years now. That after tomorrow I may never again have to deal with the construction on route 18. With the drivers who feel it is their right to cut you off to get into the lane they need to be in. With the politics and red tape of a major university.

I was attempting to write a semi serious blog entry but due to the alcohol from the opening night party and the heckling of someone reading over my shoulder here are some pretty pictures instead....

NY Review

That last few weeks have been hectic, packed, frustrating and ultimately satisfying. I'll fill you in on yesterday's commencement and the Landlord's progress in an upcoming post. In the meantime here was a recent review for Victor/Victoria.

3.95

Yeah. That's me. The smart ass. Summa Cum Laude...not that it matters much once you hit grad school so lang as you manage to stay afloat. Commencement on Tuesday. I hate packing.

Wrapping up the year

Another era come and gone. I'm currently in the process of cleaning out my office. Three years of accumulated books, drawings, fabrics and other miscellaneous things. It is astounding at how quickly materials pile up. And how much I didn't miss the things that fell into the black hole behind the desk.

I'd like to say I'll miss Rutgers. Certainly I'll miss some aspects of it. Mostly the people. I've had a strong urge to build a home and set up roots recently and I'm discovering home is more about the people I'm around than the place I'm at. I plan on giving New York a shot this coming fall after working at BTF. I was just informed of a promising position at Kean University (which would probably mean staying in Jersey). I doubt I'll want for work. But its the connections I have with other people that I'm lacking.

Three years ago I couldn't believe I was really heading out to Jersey. It was tough heading that far from family and friends. It still is hard, especially with loved ones heading in opposite directions again. I'm not sure I can keep doing this without a network of support nearby. And in such a transient state, I'm not sure I can open myself up to people who could become that support...

Ta da!

Finished. I had my thesis jury on Friday . A mere fifteen minutes of congratulations and such. A brief critique of my portfolio. Out the door and on to dress rehearsal.

Victor/Victoria opened to a very receptive house last night without many complications (short of a foul tempered scenic designer). I'll post better pics when I receive the publicity shots, but for now...enjoy: