“He’s probably too busy planning the wedding to get involved with another play right now” you say?

“Pshaw!” I say.

A month ago I put an ad in the Metropolitan (a local magazine for English speakers) saying that I was looking for “jocular” actors. Then people started calling. English, American, Irish, Scottish, Spanish, and German. You gotta love Barcelona.

A week ago I held auditions. I arranged it so that four people would audition at a time in one-hour intervals. We did a few warm-up exercises, some improv games, and a couple line readings. I had a blast. I just love auditions – both as a director and as an actor. Most people would disagree with me, but I love the adrenaline.

Then I had to make some difficult decisions. There was a lot of talent there, but only 10 roles to cast. Thank goodness I majored in math and have an unhealthy fondness for spreadsheets. It becomes like a game: I mix and match all my favorite actors in all the different roles and imagine the play in umpteen different combinations. Did I mention that I loved auditions?

I finally chose five people from the last play and five totally new people (fresh meat!). Yesterday we had our first rehearsal/readthru and it was great. It’s not easy reading a script for the very first time without knowing the characters (or even the story) but this group has got massive potential and I can easily see this one developing how I had envisioned it. I can’t wait!

So what’s the play?

Jocular Theatre is proud to present Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” – opening their two week run on Friday, June 3 2005. Be there!