Rebecca Blackmore Archives ·

In September 2011 I left on my first tour with the National Theater for Children. At the time I was writing a blog post about all the things I was learning on the road. For some reason I never got around to publishing it.

Late’s better than never, right?

Special shoutout to rockstar tour partners John Potter and Tony Milder for their support, patience, understanding, trust, and love. Additionally, much love and respect to Rebecca and Andy for the adventures we shared collectively!

Here’s what I learned on the road for future NTC touring actors.

Pace yourself.

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/10037379996/tour-destinations-88-schools-135-performances

Two performances down & 135 to go! Stopping for gas then off to Jackson, TN w/ @johnpotter6! #ntcactorsontour

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) September 9, 2011

Kids are everywhere, Behave.

@skippyjif & I are @ Bull City & 1 of the students from a show this just spotted us. Totally feeling like a celebrity! #ntcactorsontour

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) January 26, 2012

Compliments come in many forms.

3 great shows today, one kindergartner even peed the pants after the 2nd show…we're just that funny. #ntcactorsontour

— John Potter (@johnpotter6) September 13, 2011

But remember: Haters Gotta Hate.

@skippyjif & I ended week 4 of being #ntcactorsontour with a 3rd grader in the audience exclaiming, "This isn't funny." Yum, humble pie!

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) February 17, 2012

…So Review your script.

@johnpotter6 & my last show of the day was full energy, a vocal audience & a correct line I'd been saying wrong all week! #ntcactorsontour

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) September 15, 2011

Stay loose.

Elementary school bathrooms are disasters. Pee-pare to be disgusted.

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/9479000647/do-you-have-problems-with-odor-then-consider-this

You’ll usually park next to a dumpster leaking spoiled milk.

You’ll fight with your tour partner.

@michaelvenske told me he liked Alan Cumming more than Joel Grey. This led to our first spat. I think we'll get past it. #ntcactorsontour

— John Potter (@johnpotter6) September 19, 2011

Stay hydrated.

Sightsee.

Earn & thank the fans.

I'm not famous or a celebrity, but autographing 45 4th graders hands makes me feel like a rockstar! Such a fun show today! #ntcactorsontour

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) March 9, 2012

Learn something new everyday.

This morning @skippyjif discovered this report on the Tuskegee Airmen. They're "fun fucks." #ntcactorsontour pic.twitter.com/6zOldRoP

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) February 23, 2012

Get your hotel lined-up early.

Sitting next to @johnpotter6 trying to figure out where we're going to be staying on Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday and… #ntcactorsontour

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) September 9, 2011

Everything is negotiable.

Tour under-budget & negotiate a higher contract next time.

Bring business cards. If a staff member at the school is taking pictures easily request a copy & you could even get yourself a new agent…

#ntcactorsontour highlights: 1) Teacher asks for card b/c her "sister is a talent agent;" 2) 4th grader asks if I'm gay.

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) January 24, 2012

Meet up with other tours.

Had too much fun with @johnpotter6 and @michaelvenske in Nashville! Thanks for the memories, boys! Enjoy your moonshine! #ntcactorsontour

— Rebecca Lawson (@HereIsRebecca) September 25, 2011

RT As luck would have it Andy and I ran into @michaelvenske and @johnpotter6 in Louisville for a fantastic dinner! #ntcactorsontour

— Rebecca Lawson (@HereIsRebecca) November 5, 2011

Bring your own supplies.

Share duties.

Know car basics.

I guess our tire pressure was low? I didn't know was this meant, but fortunately @michaelvenske did. #ntcactorsontour http://t.co/ySN9TA0F

— John Potter (@johnpotter6) September 23, 2011

Take lots of pictures.

Be yourself.

"I'm all fidgety, and I have to poop. All I smell like is garlic and asshole." @michaelvenske #ntcactorsontour

— Tony Milder (@skippyjif) January 21, 2012

Support your tour partner.

This afternoon's shows left me feeling drained. Luckily @johnpotter6 didn't bother me while I enjoyed a 2.5 hour nap! #ntcactorsontour

— Michael Venske (@michaelvenske) October 10, 2011

Eat healthy.

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/19204913091/the-most-difficult-decision-of-my-day-taken-with

Discover local gems…

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/10777123112/seriously-the-best-in-town-im-on-my-way

…including the locals!

Try new things…

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/12100425241/perhaps-youve-been-doing-it-wrong

…including: dating the locals!

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/18518207094/an-example-of-my-past-relationships-taken-with

Patience: learn & practice.

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/18191572825/quiz-if-the-wait-at-starbucks-is-9-minutes-and

Costumes need to be washed more often than you think.

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/11841964446/washland-taken-with-instagram

Love the clothes you bring.

My favorite sweater is a hand-me-down from my old man.

Stay in touch with loved ones.

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/19128121022/cheers-to-friends-family-both-here-hereafter

Be grateful.

Rejoice! You’re living the dream!

http://michaelvenske.tumblr.com/post/16925504288/hi-from-gumby-2-ntcactorsontour-taken-with

What have you learned while touring? Please leave a comment!

Dear 2011,

WHAT THE FUCK?!

Did you really need to share so much disappointment, frustration, sadness, shame, loneliness, and embarrassment this year? At least you kept things real and raw.

Congrats on making all the other months seem less terrible by making just this one month — July — so much worse than the rest!

Tom Poole’s accident and subsequent death remains to be the low point, 2011. I miss him. We all do. There’s no way to get around it and not much more to say. Let that be the mark of a life well-lived.

Another relationship that ended unexpectedly in July was the one I was in with my girlfriend, Sarah.

But you weren’t done yet. July just kept getting better…

Like when my home went into foreclosure. Well-played, 2011!

Oh, and special thanks goes out to Wells Fargo. I couldn’t have gone into foreclose without you!

Thanks for taking 7+ months to review the necessary loan documentation to qualify me for the Making Home Affordable program in an attempt to save my home. Thanks for misplacing the files I sent in November 2010 and then waiting until the files were all expired in February 2011 to contact me. Your expeditious handling of my account really helped fuck me. Well done.

However, there are the five things that got me through such a shit year.

The love and support of family and friends
A new bike that took me over 1,300 miles
Getting over my fear of the Unified Theatre Auditions and auditioning!
Teaching at Young Actors Theater Company,Harmony Theatre Co. & School, and Public Art St. Paul
Touring with the National Theatre for Children

Thank you for the difficult road 99% of us have been traveling on, because this year has certainly made us stronger.

Here’s to never reliving you again.

Michael