So I'm literally sitting on the sea wall of Tokyo Bay at midnight after a long day of work, 3 blocks from my apartment whilst staring out at the beautiful lights of Chiba and Tokyo twinkling in the distance in a perfect arc around me. There's a cool ocean breeze and I've got a Peach Chu-hi in hand.
It's moments like this when I get to sit down and reflect and indulge in this incredible blessing that is my life here in Japan that make me so happy I've chosen this path in life.
Cuz let me tell you, some parts of it are not so much fun.
Like audition season in the middle of New York winter pounding the pavement every day in the freezing cold.
Or paying your dues mowing lawns and painting fences for 100 bucks a week at a summer stock.
Or unemployment for 7 1/2 months in the middle of a recession. Especially on an actor's minimal wages.
I feel like I'm making a fortune and someone's paying me it to live in Japan. How crazy is that?! And yet, I'm still wise as to live on a tight budget (sans travel, food, fashion experiences I couldn't have in the States) so I can fund the next unemployment stretch in the unknown future.
But right now, I'm just relishing the glory of a September evening on the sea wall with my computer and my bike and my peach chu-hi..
It's been a long week of rehearsals and debuts and it's finally over, at least until Christmas rehearsals start. I have the day off tomorrow, and I'm gonna spend some time alone to try to find some answers to a few of my troubles here.
See, for some strange reason, I've gotten off on the wrong foot with a couple of BBB people. And granted, now that we're through tech and into the run of things, everyone's stress level and breaking points should lower and things should run more smoothly. However, I really don't want my cast mates to spend the next 7 months disliking, despising or avoiding me. Even if I am aware that I will get along better with some people than others.
And yet, I feel in some way that the reason I'm not so well-liked is the same reason I am by other people. I am so aware of the blessing that is this job and the INCREDIBLE work the Japanese people do. I mean, seriously, compared to their work schedule and work demands, my job is a piece of cake and I'm being treated like a prince.
Much like on the ship, I have worked very hard in my field to get where I am and aware of both my talent, skill level, training, and experience that are required for this job and therefore deserve the compensation that has been sought after and contracted. And as a working professional who has seen a few contracts and experienced many different companies through the years, I am really enjoying and relishing both the work and benefits of this experience.
Yet I have also come to expect and desire certain standards of etiquette and professionalism over the years, that I believe fall within the normal standards of day-to-day work at BBB (or any theatre, really).
I believe it is a common courtesy to always knock on a dressing room door that does not belong to you, no matter how long you've been working with the people inside, who your friends are, or how often you visit. Someone could be changing at any moment and they deserve the privacy and respect that comes with the existence of a doorway. Especially when it is a shared dressing room. Would you just barge into your mother's bedroom if the door was closed? I think not.
In addition the privileges and amenities provided to each dressing room are intended for the comfort and use of its occupants. The free-for-all mentality exists in the green room. While one is more than welcome to share the amenities of another's dressing room through invitation or private query, simply assuming one has the right to barge in and take over said privileges without asking is plainly rude. Again, would you walk into your grandma's house and sit in her favorite chair and change the channel on the TV and pump the volume without politely asking permission? I think not.
Rules and rehearsal guidelines are set for the safety and comfort of everyone involved, especially here in Japan because there is the added difficulty of a language barrier. Choosing to ignore and or break said courtesy rules is disrespectful in any situation, even more so when you are the guest of a foreign country. Do you still expect people to drive on the right-hand side of the road in the States and follow posted traffic laws no matter how they drive at home? I surely hope so.
Finally, undermining authority by complaining and creating a microcosm culture of negativity is shameful when one is a foreigner in such an overwhelmingly welcoming country. Choosing to create larger a divide than the one that already inherently exists, rather than taking the opportunity to bridge the culture barrier and extend boundaries merely confirms the stereotype that Westerners are rude and selfish. Do you like it when you see people on the subway in New York that don't speak any English and then you find out they've been in the States for 20 years on a work visa? I think not.
A little courtesy goes a long way. Which is why I have chosen to hold my tongue as best I can and keeps these thoughts to myself (sans this blog of course). And I'm aware that maybe I need to cut people a little more slack and give them time to adjust to new faces and situations.
But I really do hope we can all get along, because I 100% do not believe that I am a divo or a difficult person to work with. Most of my former cast mates, friends, and the Japanese would concur. Do I hold people to high standards? Absolutely. Have I been gracious and therefore attempting to lower some of my standards to more attainable levels? Absolutely.
So I hope we can meet in the middle and start having FUN.
And now I'm done enjoying my evening on the bay and it's time to head home!
