Author: Will Dao

I need to keep busy. It’s for that reason that I don’t have the ability to sit still for very long and why I don’t enjoy hot tubs and why I don’t meditate and why I try not to start conversations with old people who insist on telling me their life story (though usually their stories turn out to be pretty fascinating).

I was in a rut just a few weeks ago. The shows I auditioned for didn’t pan out and I imagined the next few months of nothingness: Me, sitting on the couch with my laptop open on Facebook and hitting refresh every five seconds, living vicariously through everyone else’s newsfeed. I was bracing for the loneliness of free time. Then, as if Mother Theater took pity on this jazz-handed child, a few companies responded in the affirmative, saving me from the gloom of performing monologues into a mirror for an audience of one.

I wouldn’t consider myself the “best” at anything, especially performing. It’s a constant learning process where stepping into a rehearsal room is like stepping into a classroom. Admittedly, I’m a little intimidated by the folks I’ll be working with these next few months. After all these years, I still feel like a rookie surrounded by much more experienced performers. Still, it’s this sense of newness and discovery that keeps the work interesting and keeps me going back for more. When opportunity knocks, you open the door WIDE!

I have an unhealthy obsession with Glee. It’s my dirty little secret. My addiction. I texted MGS at 4AM in the morning as I was wrapping up the final episode of Season 3 (the entirety of which I watched over just two days thanks to JL’s streaming Netflix — thank you JL!). I texted him again this morning to tell him how tired I was, to which he responded, “You have a Glee-over.”

It is a little embarrassing for a 32-year old to stay up watching a show about hormonal, irrational, arrogant teenaged performers who are lost and confused, but like, that’s totally me! As contrived as some of the content is, the show pushes a LOT of boundaries. I don’t recall any show from my childhood with as many POC, LGBT, list-your-acronym here as this show. Every kid in America will see something in one of the characters to relate to. True, they need to make ALL the characters a little more three-dimensional, but exposure is progress for better or worse.

My friends are a lot more supportive and a little less catty than the New Directions, but even to this day, we are all trying to figure out our lives out and summon enough courage to pursue our dreams. Well — me anyway. It’s funny that “going to New York” is a major goal for the kids. What happens when you were born that and couldn’t wait to get out even though the opportunities for what you want to do are there? As the clock ticks away, I realize there are major decisions to be made about my life and career.  My Saturn may be returning again (I still don’t know what that means … JL? Can it come back so soon? Did it just take a pee break?). I don’t know what is on the horizon, but once I figure it out, watch out folks because Wilbur is growing restless!

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In other news, it’s 1000 degrees in San Francisco — well, really only about 65 but anything above 64 warrants the removal of clothing and sunbathing. I will enjoy my last few hours of freedom before the work week begins tomorrow. Oy.

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My favorite cover from the season:

 

While my family and friends are bracing themselves for the wrath of Sandy, I’m sitting outside in the backyard sunbathing in hoochie shorts and a tshirt. I may never get used to San Francisco weather, but hey – I like surprises, especially if it involves high-70s and sun in late-October.

Today is a welcome day-off after two weeks of tech and previews. The Hundred Flowers Project is building some nice buzz and the preview audiences have been very receptive. To say that this show is unlike anything I’ve ever seen or done would be an understatement. I am so lucky to be working with a team of the greatest talents in the Bay Area…

… or anywhere! Why qualify it like that? This show is bonkers amazing and people need to see it!

I admit it: I’m stressed. The big show is not too far away and we’ve got some work still left to do. I’m hoping that everything will come together and that the ridiculous number of man-hours we’ve put into the show isn’t for naught.

I can’t believe that I’ve lived in San Francisco for a year now. I was remembering how difficult some days were, missing Oakland, missing my independence, missing what life was when I had security. But happiness comes from taking bigger risks I’ve learned. So what if I’ve got to work a little harder?