Sunday, June 26th, the sky was clear, the breeze was cooling, and the subway lines were detoured or shut down for construction.
My afternoon began on the C line in front of a poster of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. Subway riders had scrawled commentary onto the images of the impending romantic film starring the popular actors. Some folks look at that image and think 'social commentary', other think 'graffiti lives!' I look at that poster and thought 'these damn mamas not watching their bad ass kids.' The sound of my name drew my attention up the platform. My friend waved to me and the train rumbled into the station.
Fellow actor Russell Jordan, and I boarded the train. Next we chatted. I chatted about the sheer number of people outside crowding the streets, the brand new gay marriage law in New York State and my lack of employment. Russell chatted about his summer chest cold, his recent auditions and his finances. The train rambled, rocked, and rattled along the tracks and through the tunnels as it made its way uptown. After 40 minutes we reached the station at 145th street.
We were out to attend the first meeting of the Harlem Camerata-the brainchild of one Mr. Rafael Garcia. This new association is a gathering of actors, artists, and art voyeurs who review works of theater and one day will create new works. Rafael was inspired by the both the Italian and Harlem Renaissances. For me - well I was captivated by the promise of snacks and liquor.
We, an assortment of actors, gathered in the living room of a Pre-War Washington Heights apartment. I hugged and kissed old friends and shook the hands of new friends. Plates were filled, emptied, refilled, emptied again then sat aside. (Shout out to the Bronze sister who made that lip smacking tuna salad casserole). Glasses were filled with afternoon cocktails. A breeze sauntered through the open window after picking up the coolness of the Hudson river and strolled round the room. Rafael called us to attention and a hush settled onto the room then we began the afternoon's business - reading August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'.
Actors Act.
