Personal Narrative: Lend Me A Tenor

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As was his habit, John Shearin, Artistic Director, was heading to the Wright Store for his second cup of morning coffee. He moved with a steady brisk pace, and I was trying to stay in step: “You’re not doing The Odd Couple, you’re directing Daddy’s Dying Whose Got the Will.” I laughed. What a dumb title. “No joke, John, what am I directing?” He stopped at the door of the shop. “I’m not joking. Come by later and I’ll give you the script. Don’t worry, we’ll put together a good cast.” Daddy’s Dying was a summer theatre entry and it turned out to be quite popular with audiences. And he was right; per usual the cast was top notch. That was not my first show under John Shearin as my producer. Ironically, my first show was Lend Me A Tenor; and also ironically, it is my last show here. At that time, our relationship was new. I wasn’t even in the department. I expected his head to be over my shoulder for the next two weeks. (He does have a “controlling” streak, you know) He was not. He trusted me. And since then, he’s been my boss, my mentor, a devil’s advocate, and most importantly, my cherished friend. I admire his work ethic. John consumes theatre and all of its parts like the moviegoer who gobbles down a handful of popcorn. We didn’t always agree on directing styles, but I trusted his “third eye” when it came time for my first “stumble-through.” As my …show more content…

We shared stage managers and because his show had a matinee performance, we were short-handed. My actors took full advantage of John’s temporary ‘demotion’: “Why haven’t you made a fresh pot of coffee, John.” “Where are my props, John?” When we call for a line, “John, please be quicker in your response and speak up!!” “John keep your head down and follow the script not the rehearsal!” We were ruthless. But by the end of the day, he was our biggest fan! He laughed the loudest and the hardest. We loved him for

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