Q: How did you become involved in this unique job?
A: I answered a posting for a cold audition in 2005 and did a reading of Edgar Allan Poes Tell Tale Heart. The performance manager at the time was a Poe fan, and it was a no-brainer for him to hire me. Since then, for me and my co-workers, this is more than just a job. As a theatrical performer, you learn there arent too many jobs where the group becomes a cohesive, continuing troupe that stays together year after year. Its great to come back to the same group of people each season.
Q: How does this company of performers work to put on several performances each night over a season?
A: We have 14 actors and a manager. Once we pass the audition, were given a script with all the basic historic material, which is told in a narrative sense. Whats great about this gig is that youre able to develop your own unique character from the original script. I tell the macabre stories from my characters perspective.
Q: What do you enjoy most about this job of frightening folks?
A: One of the best parts of my job is being a true storyteller. I get to pass these old stories about Bostons past from generation to generation. Its almost like telling scary stories around a campfire and creating a scary, macabre mood for the listeners. Whats particularly enjoyable for me are the people I get to work with and the people who enjoy the tour.
Q: Whats the greatest challenge you face?
A: I think its painting the right atmosphere for each group amid sometimes difficult distractions. The tour is conducted, in part, inside a moving vehicle, with street noises and people hollering and more. The guide needs to work off the reactions of the audience. Some of the reactions are, well, to die for.
Weve dealt with all kinds of unexpected distractions, from people fainting on the tour for any number of reasons; but theyre always happy and have fun. Once, we had a group of drag queens spontaneously join in our tour as we were walking. I suspect some of the paying customers werent sure if they were part of the show. But, thats the unexpected fun of this tour. Theres always surprise.
As much as Josiah loves his moonlighting job as a theatrical gravedigger, he hasnt given up on his daytime job and equally enjoyable passion. By night, he may be bringing thrills and chills to Bostons tourists; however, by day Josiah is the Equity stage manager for the Stoneham Theater outside of Boston.
► True or false
Josiah George is a professional actor.
People take this tour because they love being frightened.
Josiah George has this job during the year.
Josiah George was admitted to the troupe after audition.
Josiah George performs his parts strictly according to scripts.
Only the narrator creates the right atmosphere.
Key: 1F; 2T; 3F; 4T; 5F; 6F.
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LESSON 47 19.12
SPEAKING
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Procedure
Choose any of the following topics and speak of it.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT, THOUGHTS ON FOOD
1) What kind of food do you like? How about hate? Why?
2) What is the best meal that your have ever eaten? Why was it so good?
3) What is the strangest dish you have ever tried? How was it?
4) What is the most disgusting dish you have ever tried? Why was it so bad?
5) How often do you cook? What can you cook well?
6) Do you regularly eat a well-balanced diet? Why/not?
7) What kind of food cant you go without for a long time? Why?
8) What dish (or dishes) is your country or hometown famous for? Please explain.
JOBS
1) What kinds of jobs interest you most and least?
2) What is your dream job?
3) Is being a rock star or sports star a job?
4) What do you think the job of being an English teacher is like?
5) Who has the best job in the world? Why do you think so?
6) Are there jobs that are only for women or only for men?
7) How many jobs do you think youll have in your life?
EDUCATION
1) How important do you think education is?
2) Do you think the quality of education is slipping?
3) Does your government really care about education?
4) What is a good education?
5) Is the level of education in your country good?
