The downside to having steady employment

I have been in the midst of one of the most laborious, interminable tech weeks ever. It was split up into two weeks instead one seven-day straight run because of space constraints, so it really started around Independence Day and just keeps dragging on. We're using a lot of new technology for this show, and at times, it really felt like things weren't going to come together.

Alas, luckily, everything always comes together. We had a pretty tight dress rehearsal last night. Everything fell into place. I went to the pub last night happy instead of yacking and moaning. And tonight is our last dress, and I'm actually looking forward to going to the theatre (which is the way it's supposed to be, right?!). After this weekend, I'll finally have my life back for a few weeks before we start rehearsals for A Chorus Line. The sad part about working so much, however, is that I miss what everyone else does if it runs concurrently. No one in Baltimore has Monday night shows for people in the industry (that I know of, at least). A few theatres have a random Thursday thrown in to cater to theatre professionals who want to support others. But so many things in Baltimore are going up at the same time, and it looks like I'm going to see very little of anything that runs concurrently to my show.

If you're still looking for things to do in Baltimore for the next few weekends (other than Artscape), please support these people:

* Non Stop Realism by Tim Paggi: a new play and part of the Baltimore Playwrights Festival at the brand-spanking new Strand Theatre Company. Runs July 18 thru August 3: Fri/Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm

*Seussical at Liberty Showscase Theatre. Runs July 18 thru August 2: Fri/Sat 8 pm.

*Taming of the Shrew at Baltimore Shakespeare Festival. This plays outside in the Meadow at the Evergreen House. You can picnic out and watch Shakespeare under the stars. Runs July 18 thru August 3: Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm.

*Urinetown at Cockpit-in-Court Summer Theatre. Runs July 18 thru August 3: Fri/Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm.

*The Who's TOMMY at Winters Lane Productions. Runs July 18 thru August 3: Fri/Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. No shows August 25 or 26.

*in this life: four short plays at Vagabond Players and featuring Troy, my brother from another. Runs July 18 thru August 3: Fri/Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm.

And if you're in the D.C.-ish area or want to get away from Baltimore for a few hours, two of my friends are on production staff for shows abroad:

*Seussical at St. Mary's Summerstock. Runs July 18 thru July 27 at multiple times. See the Facebook invite.

*Parade at Wildwood Summer Theatre. Runs July 18 thru August 2: Fri/Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 1:30 pm.

As you can see, there's tons of great theatre I'm going to be missing. I doubt the list is exhaustive, so if I missed something, feel free to share it in the comments. Also, if you're working regularly, do you find time to go and support others. If so, how?