I was in the drama club in high school, and I acted in all the plays for four years. By the time I was a senior, I was the club president and preparing to major in theater in college. After two years of college theater, including a semester studying Shakespeare in London, I decided I probably should consider an alternative route if I had plans of eating and paying for a roof over my head. The life of a struggling artist did not seem appealing to me. If I could sing, we might be talking about a different story. But, alas, I digress.

So here I am in Fresno, Calif., two years after moving across the country from Tampa, Fla., to pursue a career in journalism. It was over the summer that I got the bug to do some community theater. The last time I had been on stage was the summer of 1999.

So I auditioned for GCP's summer show, "Epic Proportions." I knew I couldn't do the first week of the two-month run, so I asked to be considered for an understudy role. It was an ensemble piece, and I didn't know that one actor played an average of four roles in the show. So, when I was asked to understudy three actors (quick math: 12 roles), I laughingly replied, "Sure." Fortunately, I didn't have to go on.

However, after the show ended, the director, Patrick, was getting ready for auditions for his next play, "Barefoot." My fiancée, Carrie, is a big fan of the 1960s romantic comedy film version starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda and suggested I should audition. There's a minor role, the telephone repairman, who has two scenes. I figured I could handle two scenes, if I were cast, of course.

Well, not only was I cast as the telephone repairman, but also as the understudy for the Robert Redford character. Yes, another understudy ... and the lead male character of the play. Now I know what you're thinking, I don't have the look. Well, I'd be the first to agree with you. However, we're hoping that I won't have to go on. Unlike most in-cast understudy situations, I'm quite content with my two-scene role. But that doesn't prevent me from having to memorize all but the two scenes my understudy character isn't in. I know, I know ... I should be working on those lines now, as opposed to updating this blog.

... Next time on WHERE THERE'S A WILL: "Will acts in a play" (entry No. 2).

E-mail Will .

Will,

I hope your understudy role is everything you thought it could be.. and nothing more! I think you should recommend Carrie to participate in your next play. A little bit of revenge is good for a relationship! Congrats on the new position and your first Fresno Bee Hive blog!

Hey... being an understudy isn't all that bad. So, uh... where's part two? Too busy memorizing your lines?? I think this will ba a lot of fun to read, your perspective is like mine, but it's different because you're actually acting on stage. Good Luck!

Willemina -

You're fantastic.

You're right, you'll never have to go on...