BWW Blog: Tara Folio - Working 9 to 5 (Actually 10 to 6)

As I begin this new job, I find myself stuck in this odd adult-but-not-quite limbo. For those readers who aren't familiar with the term "summer stock", it is a period of about two or three months during which a group of young emerging artists are sent to a remote, usually rustic, location to perform a handful of shows in rapid-fire succession. In a way, being part of summer stock is a lot like High School Musical (if it was set in the mountains...and every five minutes you heard a variety of renditions of Sound of Music). With new friends being made every day and the feeling of camp in the air, it is often easy to forget that we are part of a company that is getting paid to be here; not that we aren't working hard, but it an atmosphere so jovial, being considered professional actors simply seems like a bonus. Now, just because the process is so positive and energized, that does not mean that this ensemble isn't putting our metaphorical noses to the grindstone. This season is going to be work, hard work; that's the only possible way we will be able to pull off four extremely large shows in two short months. During breakfast, we are reviewing blocking. During lunch, we are dancing till we can't feel our toes. During dinner, we are practicing harmonies for anyone within earshot; and after dinner we are hitting the gym or going for hikes to make sure we maintain the stamina to keep going. Although we are tired and our heads are filled to the brim with new theatrical information, I feel like I could not have been placed into a better first job. It is so inspiring to be surrounded by other artists who are reaching similar goals, and I have a feeling we are about to have one of the best summers ever.