After we nearly starved after four months because there was
absolutely no work to be done, Fred worked for a short time as a
shill at the Golden Nugget.
Because they don't want tables to look empty, he'd be sitting at a
blackjack table or whatever, and one time we were down to our last
dollar, so we got two dollars by throwing it on the red on the
roulette wheel, and then we bought a dog.
We were just kids. Well, he was older than I; he was back from the
service.
What kind of costume work did you do with the theater district?
Here's something interesting I learned in working with costumes.
You don't just pick out a costume you think that looks pretty on
whoever the performer is.
The costume itself has to move the story forward, it has to have
some meaning to what the person is portraying.
It's like a visual cue as to what you should interpret from this
character.
Any favorite plays?
We did "Dracula" one year for Halloween, and that was the most
fun, because you can just really be outrageous.
What is it that drives you to the theater?
Color, costumes, expression. Whether it's comedy or drama, I lose
myself totally in the theater, lose myself. I love performing arts, I
go when I can.
It's just a world of imagination, I love theater. If I had a
little more guts, I'd be out there performing.
There's some elements of theater right here in this center, you
see a different drama everyday, if you keep your eyes open.
People meet, they fall in love, they have a fight, they divorce --
not divorce, but you know what I mean.
I've had friends that I made, I have a circle of friends that
sustained me through some tough times.
I've made all these friendships here with women. So it's women
here, activities supporting each other. I've got to give a plug for
my center.
This is just, really is, it's a wonderful place to come make
friends, and be entertained, be educated, be informed.
You feel like you're still contributing something.
