Naming my characters

Why is it so hard to come up with names?
I don't want the names to be cliche' but I also don't want the names to seem like they are someone from my real life. Seriously, I'm really struggling here as well as with a previous project on the character names. Usually I do ok with the heroine, but the hero always seems to give me issue.
So between plot mapping and character frustrations, this  year's NaNo is getting off to an interesting start.

D is Director

(This is just a sketch but will help me expand on one of the characters in my novel)

"Let's get to work people" Her voiced echoed through the auditorium and the kids knew she meant business.  Sheila held her own with the rowdy bunch of kids; rough around the edges but gentle and compassionate when called for.  "I want to get the blocking done so we can move on. Top of page 7...."

"Ms.Carey?" Addy broke in cautiously. "I think we have a slight problem." her voice shakey as she pointed to the first bank of lights on the stage.  Little sparks flickered from the center pin spot.

" Oh crap! Jason, kill the lights on the stage and give me the full house now!" her voice and demenor changed almost immediately. "Addy, go find Mr. Burgess he should still be here... We need an extra ladder. Kyle grab the ladder from back stage and set it up under that bar of lights stage left." The down side to an old auditorium , old wiring."

Stage Fright?

Adrianna paused, frozen in the moment; 'what is the line' panic started to set in, 'what is it?'. She looked out toward the audience not sure what to expect; she glanced toward the off stage curtain looking for a clue; she looked around her, nothing , this was her monologue, she was alone and no one could help her. 'Where is everyone?' Stage Manager, the rest of the cast, the Assistant Director, no one. Stepping to the right, she took a breathe, a deeper one, pause, stepping to the right, 'make it fit the scene, go with it, something will come to you' the voice in her head wasn't helping the situation. This was her monologue and her worst nightmare was coming true. Stage fright didn't happen here, this theater was her second home, 'what is going on?'

"Patience and Love...." a soft voice from backstage fed the begining of the next line to her. Adrianna took a deep breathe and stepped forward with the confidence she had begun the scene with only a short time before and continued the lines through end.

"What the heck was that?!" a quiet but harsh voice caught her from behind on the way off stage. Jessica looked at Adrianna with a furious confusion.

"I DON"T KNOW." Adrianna continued on through the corridor to the dressing room to prepare for the next scene. ' is this what it is like, Stage Fright?'

One Minute Writer: Weekend: Monday's word

Monday's word was "weekend", so I decided to return to the novel works with the word..

Closing Weekend:
In a surreal moment of sorts Addie realized this was the last weekend, the closing of Her Show. For the past year every ounce of energy she had went toward writing, rewriting, casting, staging, producing, and promoting this, this piece of her. A sadness came over her, accompanied by a sense of accomplishment. Strange how in just a few short hours everything she had worked for would be put away. Tied up in a nice little package of memories, her final project was complete.
"Addie?" his voice caught her, she turned in surprise. He had come home just in time.


****this is a bit of the end of the novel. I never write in order*****

Adrianna???

I'm still not sure of the Heroine's name... Adrianna seems like such a big name, I'm still thinking of her a small image among the vastness of her stage.
Since this is a work in progress bear with me as it might change as some point.

Casting Call

The cast of characters is so imese, I expect the inital Casting Call will take a while. If you think you might know a character well enough, feel free to introduce yourself. Keep in mind names are not necessarily real and this is a fictional work although based on my own experiences.

Our Herorine: She is a student, although throughout the story she will be shown as various ages. She is fair skinned, long medium brown hair and deep green eyes... Approximately 5' 6" and medium build... OK so that is lame generic crap... so who is she? She is a little of everyone and a lot of me. Adrianna is the middle of 4 children and is a dreamer. We will get to know her through her stories and see the world through her eyes.

The Hero: That character is actually many characters. There have been many Heroes in my life as well as Adrianna's. Our Heroes must be strong willed and experienced in their area. Actors, Directors, Teachers, and the like will be great influences in the story as well as bring underlying sub plots into play.

Supporting Characters:

Friends: Both guys and girls although her closest friends always seem to be guys (that will be a sub plot along the way I'm sure)

Family: Three siblings; a younger sister, an older sister and an older brother. When we meet our Heroine her parents are living as well as a Grandmother who's eccentricities will weave a layer into the life of Adrianna and her understanding on various aspects of the curtains. Various other family members may be introduced when the story calls them in.