my 2 cents worth

Hi,Since this argument about the bitchiness in theatre has continued so long, i thought maybe now is a good time for me to put in my 2 cents.I must admit i havent read all the posts on this topic and chose to delete some after reading only the first two lines so my comments may over lap others. My tutor at curtin university told me that to succeed in the theatre course i must keep my mind and energy focused on my acting and not on what everyone else is saying or doing. Though i havent been involved in the theatre industry long, i have been in it long enough to find that this is true and to be thankful for the advice.It is all too easy to get caught up in the bitchiness and gossip.The stronger and more dedicated actors are the ones i find that keep their opinions to themselves and concerntrate on their role.If you are the victim of rumours or gossip or just find that the people you are working with are just bitches from hell, it makes it hard to enjoy it, but if you turn that negativity into positive energy by doing a god damn bloody good character, then the enjoyment can still come out of knowing that you did your best.Well it worked for me.On another note(come on i dont contribute that much so hear me out), I am now mostly involved with Blak Yak theatre, and i am thankful for it.This group of people are fantastic.They are so supportive of eachother and so friendly and i am glad to be a part of it.Since i joined i have never felt left out, quite the opposite really, i felt right at home and was welcomed in from the start.Perhaps it is just a matter of finding a group that suits you, there are so many theatre groups around that if ones just not right, you dont have to stay and feel like you are suffering on.Anyone out there that feels like they have been jaded by theatre or just want to start acting but are scared to start(i would be too if i read the gossip of late), i couldnt recomment a more supportive and enthusiastic environment than blak yak.There, thats my bit.I know that bad news makes more interesting news but it had to be said.oh and heres a story someone emailed me.Read it if you like"Come in" said GOD. "So you want to interview me?""Well..." I said, "If you have some time..."Through his white beard I could see him smiling as he said:"My time goes by the name of eternity, and it is enough for everything. What would you like to ask?""Nothing new or difficult for you... What do you find most amusing about humans?"He frowned ever so slightly and raising his hands as if to caress the space in front he said:"That they become bored as children and want to grow quickly, and later they sigh wanting to be children again. That they loose their health wanting to make money, and later they loose their money wanting to regain their health.That they seek to love and to be loved, and in their fear for pain they take little and give even less. That thinking anxiously about the future they forget the moment, consequently they live not in the present nor for the future. That they live as if they were not going to die, and later they die as if they had not lived."I sat bewildered, knowing not whether to laugh or cry. He softly touched my hand and leaning forward said:"You must allow yourself to LIVE, so your laughter and your tears flowfreely, and both you must share with others."Catherine