If I had a hammer . . .

So, I'm in this play - Tracing Sonny - which opens next Friday. It's a great play, by the way, and you should definitely come. But anyway . . . there's a set that has to be built, and today was another day to build. There was a "build" last weekend as well, which I helped out at on Saturday. I used a Skill Saw (or is it Skil Saw?) and a hammer. It was glorious. Today I didn't get to use the saw, but I did paint, used a hammer - and a drill. And I acted as "dead weight" (essentially sitting on pieces of wood that were being cut).

I had forgotten how much I really enjoy "manual labor." It was never that much fun growing up, with chores and baling hay, and picking rocks . . . especially in 90+ degree heat. But it offered a sense of accomplishment - one that just isn't the same with the day job, or even the acting thing. I got my hands dirty, didn't care how I looked as a sweaty, paint-stained mess, and built something.

I had to leave a bit early (plans to attend a play with good friend, Trista), but I was proud of the work I had done. And somehow it made me somewhat more invested in my character. Not only did I help build "little limbo" that Nanette calls home, but I found a "home" for her.

You can see this beautiful set, at the Avery Schrieber Theatre in North Hollywood. 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 2:00 p.m. on Sundays.