I'M NOT STRESSING (THAT MUCH) ANYMORE

“And I’m not telling anyone my age.”
By Miles Mandwelle (Actor/Musician)

A lot of things are happening. Let me explain.

A week ago today, I was in Starbucks by FIT in New York City. I’d taken the Megabus down from Albany en route to Winston-Salem. Who walks in, but my first acting teacher. He’s just done a site-specific production of The Seagull in Vermont, and so we spend a lot of time discussing the play, which he’s done several times. Upon arriving on campus, I discover my acting class is doing The Seagull.

(cue “Twilight Zone” theme music)

This summer, I’d taken a Neutral Mask class that really changed my life, but was hemming and hawing both before and after because I really couldn’t afford it. Lo and behold, I’m assistant directing, music directing, and in the ensemble of The Comedy of Errors, which is being done in commedia style, masks and all. I would be completely in the dark if I hadn’t taken that class.

(cue “Twilight Zone” theme music)

My name is Miles. My roommate’s name is also Miles.

(cue “Twilight Zone” theme music)

Friday night, exhausted from my marathon week (and stressed because the liquor store was closed), I called out to the universe: “All I need is to start jiving with the commedia work, to break the ice with my cast-mates, and to make a friend who’s seen my favorite movie, ‘A Dirty Shame.’”

All three of these things occurred Saturday, the third of which took place at the campus cookout. A classmate is describing someone’s final project for some bizarre liberal arts class, which involved her pouring food down her cleavage.

“Sploshing!” I exclaim.

The guy next to me says, “I was just thinking that, too!”

“Messy Melinda?” I inquire.

“’A Dirty Shame. Yeah, John Waters is the shit!’”

“High five!”

So I’m not stressing that much anymore. Thanks, Universe!

MILES MANDWELLE is getting acclimated in the BFA directing program at North Carolina School of the Arts. Living out of a suitcase the last two years, he’s been acting, teaching, and music directing regionally. He’s really glad not to have to move in three months (knock on wood).
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