Not the center of the universe

For the first time in a long time, I'm doing a show where I'm not needed at every rehearsal, there are lots of scenes I'm not in, and I'll have time to kill backstage during the performance.  It's weird.

It's actually pretty normal, for theater, and I remember a time it was normal for me.  Not lately.  For the last two years or so, I've done very ensemble-y stuff, where if you weren't onstage at the moment, you were grabbing your next costume, bag of candy props, puppet or mask, or helping someone else with theirs.  From the moment the show started, if there was a moment's break, it was for catching your breath and drinking as much water as possible.
  I've also been doing a lot of film work, and while it's a totally different sort of schedule than theatre, there's a kind of bustle or urgency on set that's rarely present for stage work.  (Unless, presumably, you're working on such a modern classic as GHOST - THE MUSICAL.)

  It's weird.
  It makes me think about the ways I use theater as a time filler, an excuse for putting off other things (I can't do _____ this week, rehearsals are crazy...).  And about the ways it's way too easy to start overvaluing myself as an actor (Well, I'm not technically the lead, but I AM in pretty much every scene...).
  I've got a nice solid supporting part.  A few lovely scenes.  It's a part that really suits me as an actor.  But it's not sucking up my time, and I can't, by any stretch, pretend the production revolves around me.

  Those are good things, but they're things I wasn't expecting to be quite this aware of.  It's like a big note from myself, that says, "Hey - get over yourself, do your job, keep life moving forward."  It's a chance to use those days off rehearsal with purpose, rather than "Ugh, I'm so tired from rehearsal, I need a day off."
  I suppose the lesson in all this is -

Hang on.  Come see BAT-HAMLET!  It's exactly what it sounds like.  I'll be playing Lord Riddles, and my lovely wife will be playing Barbara Gordrick, daughter of the late king of Gothic Castle.  Every single person I know will enjoy some aspect of this production.  March 28-April 26 at the Cornservatory, 4210 N Lincoln.

 - to not get too comfortable, too cocky, too lazy.  Right?  Or something?

BAT-HAMLET!