I may have been outed!

Okay, not really as bad as it sounds.

In my profession, I do not have to disclose, legally. I may choose to, be I am not obligated to. Some closer people know, but that is that.

I certainly donot tell my students. I told one, many year ago, who was my AD on a production. I merely told her that I had a chronic co dition, and might be sending her off to work with actors onstage some nights, when the running to and fro from the directors table and the stage woulda killed me.

So, a few nights ago, was talking with current cast about chronic fatigue ( it's a reference in the text). Real condition, but can be abused when normal people feel tired, kind of a cultural meme in the Late nineties when play was written, kind of what restless legs is now. The textual reference was to the cultural meme not the real condition. We moved on.

So, the other night, one actor out of the fricking blue said, " are chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia the same thing?". I have never mentoned fibro.

Student who mentioned it knows me well. Have directed him 6 times, had him in multiple classes, call him on stupid moments, of which there are relatively few. He is also pretty observant. Given the situation, we spend a lot of time together doing work. He is also ready to move on to adulthood, and leave college behind.

After sussing out the question some, it seems fibro is a theme in a current movie with Melissa McCarthny, Identity Thief. He just saw it, along withanother student not in the room, but who also knows me. I explained the difference between fibro and chronic fatigue, we moved on. But he kept looking at me.

I might be just paranoid. But I would swear TE was looking at me, and waiting, patiently for the truth that is evident, but never referred
to. I am fairly sure he and DM Connected some dots over dinner.

At stake, I guess, is my reputation for brutal honesty, even with myself.
Dunno. Thought it was interesting.

It's a complicated Subject. With my regular students, none of their business. With my special kids, still none of their business, but... I am a role model.

He can be random, but usually has a motive in his randomness. Dunno.

Waiting for SO to get here so we can leave together.

It's true, theatre is different. I am up front about most things and it is merely being honest about the way life is. I mean, we can gloss over bad words and situations, not talk about feelings and concepts all we want in real life, but an actor needs to portray real people, and that sometimes means Being uncomfortable. For instance, a scene occurs where the character is high and taken too many sleeping pills and is upset at his lover. Al this stuff, suicide, anger with an intimate partner and drug use is ON the table. Notjust talking about it but experience of it.

I will notgossip about students or the other professors. I am generally honest about my life experiences. It is a part of learning about acting.

TE clearly has put some things together with regards to me and my health. I will get a chance in the coming weeks to suss it out and deal with it. Again, role models. Despite my condition, I work hard, do a lot, handle a lot of different people and stress, and still have chronic conditions. I am not late to rehearsal or class, I get my work done, and show them through my actions that it is better to get it right than get out early.

I don't mind disclosing, and knew that someone would eventually figure it out.

Myself,

I think its up to you if you wish to discuss your own problems. Its apart of private life, and if you chose to speak you can. I didn't know you had a life of shooting. Um, sorry guys, shooting is stage talk. Take your time, stand firm in your believes, and do what you think is best. We are here for you :)