These Are My JOTtings...

When the Body Lets Down After Stress...

Being an actor can really be a mixed bag
of real life issues.

Actors crave the attention of audiences,
when we are performing well.
Yet, when things go badly,
we just want to "crawl into a hole and hide"
because of the embarrassment.

In the physical realm
actors tend to push their bodies
beyond the breaking point,
when a show is on the line.
It's admirable that actors "worth their salt"
are willing to "go to the mat"
as much or more for their cast mates
as for the accolades.

Yet,
at the end of the run of any given show
the body steps forward and says,
"Hey! Remember me?
I've taken it on the chin for well over a week now!
I've put life on hold!
I've gone without sleep!
I haven't eaten well!
You get all the glory
and I get all the guts!
Sit Down!
Shut up!
Rest!!!
I'm done!
Got it?"

The body has some very clear ways
of telling the mind and the emotions
when dress up and play time is over and...
rest time and recovery has begun.
Snuffly nose,
high or low temperature,
fatigue and...
sleepiness.

We have experienced a bit of that
at my house on this very day.
I've heard of others,
who are experiencing some
of the same issues as well.
At least two or three times
I was sick for a week
after the run of a show.

Thank The Lord it hasn't been that bad this time for me
because my role had fewer lines and fewer responsibilities,
but Jade Amber Jewel had a very physical part.
As a result she is having a case of her famous nose.

I expect we'll be okay and
pretty much up-to-speed
in a couple of days,
but sometimes
its best to obey the body and...
STOP!!!

by Jay O'Toole
on May 8th, 2017