Coming Back to the Cello

My character, Robert, is a professional cellist. This makes him a driven, passionate individual, etc. etc., but he also needs to be able to play the cello, especially since he plays the instrument in several scenes during the show. I think Jayme cast me without knowing I could play the instrument – luckily, I can.

Another stroke of luck was when I discovered a good friend's father owned a cello they could lend me for a few months. And Amelia Adams (The Mai) worked at a music store, so she let me use her discount to purchase rosin, cloth, and other things I would need to use the cello.

Despite these happy coincidences, there was one last obstacle: I hadn’t touched the instrument since high school. I played for about six years in junior high and high school, was a member of the Chattanooga Youth Orchestra (in Chattanooga, Tennessee) for a few years, but when I went to college I dropped the instrument and concentrated on drinking - I mean, my studies. So in addition to learning my lines and rehearsing, I would need to relearn how to play an instrument.

Well, that part's still in progress – I didn't even remember how to read music a month ago! But after some study and practice I know my D string from a treble clef again, and we've picked out some great pieces for me to play, so now all there's left to do is for you to come see the show and judge for yourself!