A Year in Review....Well, the spark Notes....
Shows I Directed:
Not On My Watch
Truth or Dare
Death Comes for A Wedding
An American Werewolf in Eqqus
Twelfth Night
Goldie and The Bears
Double Play
The Rose Gardener
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Assistant Directed:
The Foreigner with BT McNicholl
Odd Couple with BT McNicholl
Henry V with John Basil
Unaccustomed to My Name with Kevin Laibson
Marrying Meg with Dave Soloman
Production Manager:
The Misunderstanding
DirectorFest 2009
Goals for Next Year:
Get Constant Contact in Order
Getting Things Done System finalized
Complete my brand
Applications for four labs and two festivals
Organize the closet
Direct two musicals
One Holiday Show
One Halloween Show
Cut down the number of Festivals
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Christmas Time
My Christmas Season has officially begun.
Thursday my Mom flew into NYC to spend the weekend with me. We have spent the last 48 hours enjoying each other's company by shopping around the city, taking naps, and checking out Midsummer. It's always lovely when she comes to town, we have the best time. I am lucky to have strong relationships with both of my parents, and to be twins with my mother.
Thursday's performance of Midsummer was one of the most enjoyable night's of theatre I've had in a while. The last 30 minutes were hysterical-to the point where Chris and Mim (Pyramus and Wall) were cracking up and trying to keep it together. Everyone in the audience had tears rolling down their faces (FROM LAUGHTER).
The shows biggest issue right now is small houses-we have to compete with the holiday season which is awful! I know for a fact we are going to have packed houses for the January shows, I just hope the remaining 3 shows this weekend have at least 20 people.
Sunday is the Midsummer Holiday Party-very excited. And Monday Jeff and I fly to Atlanta for Christmas.
Coming up- The Rose Gardener and LOTS of applications!
Thursday my Mom flew into NYC to spend the weekend with me. We have spent the last 48 hours enjoying each other's company by shopping around the city, taking naps, and checking out Midsummer. It's always lovely when she comes to town, we have the best time. I am lucky to have strong relationships with both of my parents, and to be twins with my mother.
Thursday's performance of Midsummer was one of the most enjoyable night's of theatre I've had in a while. The last 30 minutes were hysterical-to the point where Chris and Mim (Pyramus and Wall) were cracking up and trying to keep it together. Everyone in the audience had tears rolling down their faces (FROM LAUGHTER).
The shows biggest issue right now is small houses-we have to compete with the holiday season which is awful! I know for a fact we are going to have packed houses for the January shows, I just hope the remaining 3 shows this weekend have at least 20 people.
Sunday is the Midsummer Holiday Party-very excited. And Monday Jeff and I fly to Atlanta for Christmas.
Coming up- The Rose Gardener and LOTS of applications!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Yournabe.com Midsummer Review
It seems that Katherine M. Carter, the director of the Queens Players’ adorable version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” remembered that the important word in the play’s title is “dream.”
Thus, she not only has a dreamy set draped in white linens and softly lit by Lisa Hufnagel, but has costume designer Jeni Ahlfeld dress the cast in pajamas and white ankle socks; Bottom and his men appear in scarlet onesies.
The playfulness is further enhanced by having Snug the Joiner (Timothy Williams) a very tall bloke, carry around a teddy bear. Snug even has a little matching mane made for Teddy when he plays the lion in Pyramus and Thisbe.
The morning is greeted by the songs of birds — kudos to sound designer Jillian Marie Walker. The Bard would have approved.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is one of Shakespeare’s dopier comedies. Though it has a couple of authoritarian male figures, namely Theseus, duke of Athens (Brandon Hillen), and Egeus, father of Hermia (Charles Baker), it has none of the discordance or “slut horror” of a work like “Much Ado About Nothing.” Keeping with the title, it’s 99 percent moonlight and fluff.
The plot is this, sort of: It’s close to the duke’s wedding to Hippolyta, played by the charming Heidi Zenz, but he’s beseeched by Egeus, whose diminutive daughter Hermia (Angelica Duncan) wants to marry Lysander (Joe Mullen), the man she loves, and not Demetrius (James Parenti), the man her father wants for her. The Duke warns Hermia that the penalty for such disobedience is death or being sent to a nunnery. In the meantime, Demetrius is being aggressively wooed — nowadays one might say stalked — by the lovestruck Helena (a wide-eyed Katie Braden), who he doesn’t care for in the least.
On another plain of existence, the fairy king Oberon (Randy Warsaw, in slinky purple silk and guyliner) and his queen, Titania (Tiffany D. Turner, proud and dignified till she wakes up in love with the transmogrified Bottom), aren’t getting along because he wants her to release her page to his service. She doesn’t want to.
Because of her stubbornness, Oberon sends his servant Puck (a Goth and impish Ahlfeld), to bewitch Titania with a love potion so she falls in love with the first ugly thing she sees upon awakening from her nap. Puck also mistakenly bewitches Lysander, because (s)he mistakes him for scornful Demetrius. And Bottom (an appropriately scenery-chewing Chris Kateff) and his men (Andrew Ash, Timothy J. Cox, Charlotte Layne Dunn, Miriam Mintz, and Williams) are putting on a play based on Pyramus and Thisbe, a more tragic tale of bad timing and misunderstanding, for the Duke’s wedding.
All this is an excuse for the cast to not only show their acting chops but gambol about the little whitewashed stage like babies. The rehearsals for the play-within-a-play are only matched in hilarity by the near-brawl between Hermia and Helena after both Lysander and Demetrius are bewitched into falling in love with the latter.
Duncan plays Hermia, who thinks she’s being dissed because she’s short, like a wet cat with the evening crazies. (“How low am I, thou painted maypole?” she screeches at Helena. “Speak! How low am I? I am not yet so low but that my nails can reach unto thine eyes!”)
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Parenti and Mullen play the boys as wonderfully disdainful, pugnacious and lovesick. Also good are Titania’s servant fairies (Sarah King and Trish Phelps), who think nothing of waiting on a man with the head of jackass. Perhaps they think this is normal for mortals?
This most delightful and inventive “Midsummer” will be running through Jan. 3 (they skip Christmas) at the Secret Theatre. They call it the Secret Theatre because it’s a few blocks from the Citicorp building, and hidden behind a loading bay, but they’ll have a sandwich board outside on the street. It’s a summery joy, perfect for a winter’s evening.
If You Go
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
When: Dec. 16-19, Jan. 1-3 at 8 p.m., Dec. 19 and 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 general admission, $10 students
Where: The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City
Contact: 718-392-0722
Web site:secrettheatre.com
Thus, she not only has a dreamy set draped in white linens and softly lit by Lisa Hufnagel, but has costume designer Jeni Ahlfeld dress the cast in pajamas and white ankle socks; Bottom and his men appear in scarlet onesies.
The playfulness is further enhanced by having Snug the Joiner (Timothy Williams) a very tall bloke, carry around a teddy bear. Snug even has a little matching mane made for Teddy when he plays the lion in Pyramus and Thisbe.
The morning is greeted by the songs of birds — kudos to sound designer Jillian Marie Walker. The Bard would have approved.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is one of Shakespeare’s dopier comedies. Though it has a couple of authoritarian male figures, namely Theseus, duke of Athens (Brandon Hillen), and Egeus, father of Hermia (Charles Baker), it has none of the discordance or “slut horror” of a work like “Much Ado About Nothing.” Keeping with the title, it’s 99 percent moonlight and fluff.
The plot is this, sort of: It’s close to the duke’s wedding to Hippolyta, played by the charming Heidi Zenz, but he’s beseeched by Egeus, whose diminutive daughter Hermia (Angelica Duncan) wants to marry Lysander (Joe Mullen), the man she loves, and not Demetrius (James Parenti), the man her father wants for her. The Duke warns Hermia that the penalty for such disobedience is death or being sent to a nunnery. In the meantime, Demetrius is being aggressively wooed — nowadays one might say stalked — by the lovestruck Helena (a wide-eyed Katie Braden), who he doesn’t care for in the least.
On another plain of existence, the fairy king Oberon (Randy Warsaw, in slinky purple silk and guyliner) and his queen, Titania (Tiffany D. Turner, proud and dignified till she wakes up in love with the transmogrified Bottom), aren’t getting along because he wants her to release her page to his service. She doesn’t want to.
Because of her stubbornness, Oberon sends his servant Puck (a Goth and impish Ahlfeld), to bewitch Titania with a love potion so she falls in love with the first ugly thing she sees upon awakening from her nap. Puck also mistakenly bewitches Lysander, because (s)he mistakes him for scornful Demetrius. And Bottom (an appropriately scenery-chewing Chris Kateff) and his men (Andrew Ash, Timothy J. Cox, Charlotte Layne Dunn, Miriam Mintz, and Williams) are putting on a play based on Pyramus and Thisbe, a more tragic tale of bad timing and misunderstanding, for the Duke’s wedding.
All this is an excuse for the cast to not only show their acting chops but gambol about the little whitewashed stage like babies. The rehearsals for the play-within-a-play are only matched in hilarity by the near-brawl between Hermia and Helena after both Lysander and Demetrius are bewitched into falling in love with the latter.
Duncan plays Hermia, who thinks she’s being dissed because she’s short, like a wet cat with the evening crazies. (“How low am I, thou painted maypole?” she screeches at Helena. “Speak! How low am I? I am not yet so low but that my nails can reach unto thine eyes!”)
ADVERTISEMENT
Parenti and Mullen play the boys as wonderfully disdainful, pugnacious and lovesick. Also good are Titania’s servant fairies (Sarah King and Trish Phelps), who think nothing of waiting on a man with the head of jackass. Perhaps they think this is normal for mortals?
This most delightful and inventive “Midsummer” will be running through Jan. 3 (they skip Christmas) at the Secret Theatre. They call it the Secret Theatre because it’s a few blocks from the Citicorp building, and hidden behind a loading bay, but they’ll have a sandwich board outside on the street. It’s a summery joy, perfect for a winter’s evening.
If You Go
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
When: Dec. 16-19, Jan. 1-3 at 8 p.m., Dec. 19 and 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 general admission, $10 students
Where: The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City
Contact: 718-392-0722
Web site:secrettheatre.com
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Greg Cicchino on Midsummer
Greg Cicchino, Director of AS YOU LIKE IT at the Secret Theatre, posted his thoughts on MIDSUMMER on his blog, I wanted to share them with you.
"I then had the pleasure of seeing Katherine Carter’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the smaller space. It was very smart and quick. They cut it down to fewer than two hours, so it was over before you knew it. Her concept was that it was in fact, all a dream, so everyone was in colorful pajamas on a stark white space, which made for a very striking contrast. There was also some great text work, which is of course an important point for me as well. Congratulations cast."
Thanks Greg! We are looking forward to seeing his production of ROMEO and JULIET this Winter.
"I then had the pleasure of seeing Katherine Carter’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the smaller space. It was very smart and quick. They cut it down to fewer than two hours, so it was over before you knew it. Her concept was that it was in fact, all a dream, so everyone was in colorful pajamas on a stark white space, which made for a very striking contrast. There was also some great text work, which is of course an important point for me as well. Congratulations cast."
Thanks Greg! We are looking forward to seeing his production of ROMEO and JULIET this Winter.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" delightfully playful
A Review by Willow Belden
Queens Chronical
With pajama-clad actors, a cloud-like white set and whimsical sound cues, the Queens Players’ production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” definitely emphasizes the night and the dream aspects of the play.
Their rendition of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, running at the Secret Theatre through Jan. 3, is crisp, playful and wonderfully imaginative. The acting is sharp, the punch lines are delivered perfectly and the production moves along at an energetic clip.
You’re sure to leave the theater smiling after taking in the tale of frustrated lovers, mischievous fairies, amateur actors and love potions wrongly administered.
Each set of characters — the Athenian elite, the forest fairies and the lay people rehearsing a production of “Pyramus and Thisbe” — wears a distinct style of pajamas, making it easy to distinguish the groups and adding delightful comic effect.
The four principal lovers — Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius — are clad in bright pink and green garb. Oberon and Titania, the fairy king and queen, along with their entourage, shimmer in sleek satin.
The prize for best fashion goes to the troupe of half-witted laypeople, though, or “mechanicals” as they’re called. The amateur thespians sport bright red “onesies” throughout the show, the kind of pajamas you wore when you were 2. Brilliant costume choice.
The mechanicals also put forward some of the best acting in the production. Chris Kateff steals the show as Bottom, the verbose, self-important weaver who plays Pyramus in the play within the play and famously ends up with a donkey’s head. Kateff’s transformation to asshood is a delight to watch.
Andrew Ash, who chews innocently on the sleeve of his onesie as Flute the bellows mender, and Timothy Williams, who gingerly steps into the role of the lion while glumly clutching a teddy bear, are also particularly entertaining.
Three of the four Athenian lovers are aptly portrayed. Angelica Duncan is an adorably pixie-like Hermia. Katie Braden captures the desperately jealous Helena with fitting intensity. And Joe Mullen is a charmer as Lysander.
James Parenti is the weak link, beaming through scenes in which a look of outrage would be more fitting.
Jeni Ahlfeld deserves mention for her portrayal of Puck, the fairy messenger, a role she plays with nymph-like agility and appropriately devious grins.
If the acting and costumes aren’t enough to draw you to “Midsummer,” know that the production also includes a ukulele and armor made of a cardboard apple crate.
All told, it’s an excellent feel-good production and the perfect way to warm up a cold winter evening.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
When: Select dates through Jan. 3.
Where: The Secret Theatre 44-02 23rd St., L.I.C.
(718) 392-0304
Ticket price: $15
Queens Chronical
With pajama-clad actors, a cloud-like white set and whimsical sound cues, the Queens Players’ production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” definitely emphasizes the night and the dream aspects of the play.
Their rendition of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, running at the Secret Theatre through Jan. 3, is crisp, playful and wonderfully imaginative. The acting is sharp, the punch lines are delivered perfectly and the production moves along at an energetic clip.
You’re sure to leave the theater smiling after taking in the tale of frustrated lovers, mischievous fairies, amateur actors and love potions wrongly administered.
Each set of characters — the Athenian elite, the forest fairies and the lay people rehearsing a production of “Pyramus and Thisbe” — wears a distinct style of pajamas, making it easy to distinguish the groups and adding delightful comic effect.
The four principal lovers — Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius — are clad in bright pink and green garb. Oberon and Titania, the fairy king and queen, along with their entourage, shimmer in sleek satin.
The prize for best fashion goes to the troupe of half-witted laypeople, though, or “mechanicals” as they’re called. The amateur thespians sport bright red “onesies” throughout the show, the kind of pajamas you wore when you were 2. Brilliant costume choice.
The mechanicals also put forward some of the best acting in the production. Chris Kateff steals the show as Bottom, the verbose, self-important weaver who plays Pyramus in the play within the play and famously ends up with a donkey’s head. Kateff’s transformation to asshood is a delight to watch.
Andrew Ash, who chews innocently on the sleeve of his onesie as Flute the bellows mender, and Timothy Williams, who gingerly steps into the role of the lion while glumly clutching a teddy bear, are also particularly entertaining.
Three of the four Athenian lovers are aptly portrayed. Angelica Duncan is an adorably pixie-like Hermia. Katie Braden captures the desperately jealous Helena with fitting intensity. And Joe Mullen is a charmer as Lysander.
James Parenti is the weak link, beaming through scenes in which a look of outrage would be more fitting.
Jeni Ahlfeld deserves mention for her portrayal of Puck, the fairy messenger, a role she plays with nymph-like agility and appropriately devious grins.
If the acting and costumes aren’t enough to draw you to “Midsummer,” know that the production also includes a ukulele and armor made of a cardboard apple crate.
All told, it’s an excellent feel-good production and the perfect way to warm up a cold winter evening.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
When: Select dates through Jan. 3.
Where: The Secret Theatre 44-02 23rd St., L.I.C.
(718) 392-0304
Ticket price: $15
Monday, December 7, 2009
DirectorFest 2009
With Midsummer up and running my attention has turned towards Directorfest 2009.
I am co-production managers with Peggy Samuels this year-and having two heads in better than one. Together we are organizing 4 30minute plays that will be put together in one night of theatre. Each show has its own set, lights, costumes, sound, cast, director, and stage manager. There are a lot of personalties in the room-good but overwhelming at times when we are brainstorming.
We began tech on Saturday morning at 8am-yes the Saturday after Midsummer opened-and will be in tech/dress through the opening on Thursday December 10th. Since I have been doing the prep work Peggy will be taking the lead during the actual tech (save for the 3 days I am here). Her stage manager background is immensely helpful in this situation, as well as her experience with Directorfest.
I have to say, while I love working on this show both production managing and working at the Drama League is a big undertaking this week. With everything together I will be working 150 hours this week alone. Insanity! But that is why I am in theatre yes? To work hard and tell stories.
Also tonight is the big ART/NY holiday party-I am going to pop in during our dinner break at the theatre. Should be a lovely time.
So far no more reviews for Midsummer have come out yet, but we know there are 2 or 3 more cooking somewhere.
Happy Monday!
I am co-production managers with Peggy Samuels this year-and having two heads in better than one. Together we are organizing 4 30minute plays that will be put together in one night of theatre. Each show has its own set, lights, costumes, sound, cast, director, and stage manager. There are a lot of personalties in the room-good but overwhelming at times when we are brainstorming.
We began tech on Saturday morning at 8am-yes the Saturday after Midsummer opened-and will be in tech/dress through the opening on Thursday December 10th. Since I have been doing the prep work Peggy will be taking the lead during the actual tech (save for the 3 days I am here). Her stage manager background is immensely helpful in this situation, as well as her experience with Directorfest.
I have to say, while I love working on this show both production managing and working at the Drama League is a big undertaking this week. With everything together I will be working 150 hours this week alone. Insanity! But that is why I am in theatre yes? To work hard and tell stories.
Also tonight is the big ART/NY holiday party-I am going to pop in during our dinner break at the theatre. Should be a lovely time.
So far no more reviews for Midsummer have come out yet, but we know there are 2 or 3 more cooking somewhere.
Happy Monday!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
BlogCritics Review of A Midsummer Night's Dream
The first review for A Midsummer Night's Dream came out this afternoon. Check it out!
Theater Review (NYC): A Midsummer Night's Dream
Author: Hannah Marie Ellison — Published: Dec 06, 2009
It’s easy to throw A Midsummer Night’s Dream out of balance – there are the pairs of moon-crossed lovers, then there are those rude mechanicals. Often the lovers are in such perfect sync with their out-of-whack, juice-of-the-flower induced crisscrossing that Nick Bottom and his pals seem superfluous. Or contrariwise, the preparation and performance of “The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe” can be so delightful that the romantic mix-ups pale in comparison. So it is a pleasure to report that Katherine M. Carter's dream inspired production, which opened Thursday night at The Secret Theatre in Long Island City, is an adorable delight all around, thanks to a brisk pace, enchanting music and solid performances from an enthusiastic cast.
For those who don't know, Midsummer is Shakespeare's magical classic comedy that involves two pairs of lovers who, after facing a romantic dilemma, flee into the woods only to become the playthings of a group of fairies who are having their own romantic challenges. There is a royal wedding with entertainment by an inept troupe of would-be actors who also fall prey to the fairy antics while rehearsing in the woods. Much confusion ensues with magic and mistaken identities before the air is cleared and things wrap up with a hilarious play within a play (which in this production is quite hilarious indeed).
Unlike some of the Bard's plays, Midsummer's setting is pretty malleable. I have seen productions set in everything from medieval castles to unknown planets without compromising the text. From the moment I walked into the Secret Theatre for last nights' performance, I was instantly swept away in director Carter's world. She has chosen to set her entire piece in a dream, with a stage that is white as snow and bare, save for two blocks and a few pieces of fabric hanging from the ceiling, representing columns. Her company of actors are dressed in colorful and very comfortable looking pajamas (I was a little jealous). It’s welcoming, relaxing and yes, dreamlike. The original music, composed by sound designer Jillian Marie Walker, adds to the magic and wonder and the lighting design by Lisa Hufnagel perfectly captures the mood of the piece.
It is a very playful environment that Carter has created and she has directed her actors to play and boy, do they ever. Carter has gathered together a fantastic ensemble cast. Both Tiffany D. Turner and Randy Warsaw excel as the fairy royals Titania and Oberon, as does the vivacious Jeni Ahlfeld (who also designed the lovely pajama costumes) as Oberon's servant Puck. The four lovers in this play can often be generic and hard to tell apart, but this Hermia (Angelica Duncan), Demetrius (James Parenti), Lysander (Joe Mullen) and Helena (Katie Braden) all have great moments with strong individual personalities and they are also very, very funny as well.
Then there are the mechanicals. As led by Chris Kateff’s gloriously ridiculous Bottom, they are anything but common folk. All of them – Timothy J. Cox as the hapless director Peter Quince, Andrew Ash as Flute, Charlotte Layne Dunn as Starveling, Miriam Mintz as Snout and Timothy Williams as Snug (complete with tiny bear companion) – under- and over-play beautifully, making their appearances seem too few, and too brief. Rounding out the ensemble is Charles Baker, who does fine work as Hermia's stubborn father, Egeus, as do Brandon Hillen and Heidi Zenz as Theseus and Hippolyta respectively. Sarah King (who sings wonderfully in the production, like a young Joni Mitchell) and Trish Phelps also provide able support in their brief roles as Peaseblossom and Cobweb.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs at The Secret Theatre until January 3rd. For information on tickets, please visit. www.secrettheatre.com
Theater Review (NYC): A Midsummer Night's Dream
Author: Hannah Marie Ellison — Published: Dec 06, 2009
It’s easy to throw A Midsummer Night’s Dream out of balance – there are the pairs of moon-crossed lovers, then there are those rude mechanicals. Often the lovers are in such perfect sync with their out-of-whack, juice-of-the-flower induced crisscrossing that Nick Bottom and his pals seem superfluous. Or contrariwise, the preparation and performance of “The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe” can be so delightful that the romantic mix-ups pale in comparison. So it is a pleasure to report that Katherine M. Carter's dream inspired production, which opened Thursday night at The Secret Theatre in Long Island City, is an adorable delight all around, thanks to a brisk pace, enchanting music and solid performances from an enthusiastic cast.
For those who don't know, Midsummer is Shakespeare's magical classic comedy that involves two pairs of lovers who, after facing a romantic dilemma, flee into the woods only to become the playthings of a group of fairies who are having their own romantic challenges. There is a royal wedding with entertainment by an inept troupe of would-be actors who also fall prey to the fairy antics while rehearsing in the woods. Much confusion ensues with magic and mistaken identities before the air is cleared and things wrap up with a hilarious play within a play (which in this production is quite hilarious indeed).
Unlike some of the Bard's plays, Midsummer's setting is pretty malleable. I have seen productions set in everything from medieval castles to unknown planets without compromising the text. From the moment I walked into the Secret Theatre for last nights' performance, I was instantly swept away in director Carter's world. She has chosen to set her entire piece in a dream, with a stage that is white as snow and bare, save for two blocks and a few pieces of fabric hanging from the ceiling, representing columns. Her company of actors are dressed in colorful and very comfortable looking pajamas (I was a little jealous). It’s welcoming, relaxing and yes, dreamlike. The original music, composed by sound designer Jillian Marie Walker, adds to the magic and wonder and the lighting design by Lisa Hufnagel perfectly captures the mood of the piece.
It is a very playful environment that Carter has created and she has directed her actors to play and boy, do they ever. Carter has gathered together a fantastic ensemble cast. Both Tiffany D. Turner and Randy Warsaw excel as the fairy royals Titania and Oberon, as does the vivacious Jeni Ahlfeld (who also designed the lovely pajama costumes) as Oberon's servant Puck. The four lovers in this play can often be generic and hard to tell apart, but this Hermia (Angelica Duncan), Demetrius (James Parenti), Lysander (Joe Mullen) and Helena (Katie Braden) all have great moments with strong individual personalities and they are also very, very funny as well.
Then there are the mechanicals. As led by Chris Kateff’s gloriously ridiculous Bottom, they are anything but common folk. All of them – Timothy J. Cox as the hapless director Peter Quince, Andrew Ash as Flute, Charlotte Layne Dunn as Starveling, Miriam Mintz as Snout and Timothy Williams as Snug (complete with tiny bear companion) – under- and over-play beautifully, making their appearances seem too few, and too brief. Rounding out the ensemble is Charles Baker, who does fine work as Hermia's stubborn father, Egeus, as do Brandon Hillen and Heidi Zenz as Theseus and Hippolyta respectively. Sarah King (who sings wonderfully in the production, like a young Joni Mitchell) and Trish Phelps also provide able support in their brief roles as Peaseblossom and Cobweb.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs at The Secret Theatre until January 3rd. For information on tickets, please visit. www.secrettheatre.com
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Midsummer Tech
After two wonderful days Midsummer has completed their tech rehearsals.
Both days we got out at 6:00pm-4 hours early!!
All of the designers were amazingly on top of their game, Griffin kept the whole thing running, and I was a director.
I special thank you to the entire production team and cast who make the tech the smoothest I could ask for.
Even though we got out early everyone is still wiped. We completed a cue to cue on Saturday and 2 full runs today.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we have full dress/previews-there are a few audience members who cannot make the run of the show and will be joining us. On Tuesday my good friend Krystal Phelps will be taking photos.
Currently Richard (the artistic director) and Alexis are working hard with me in order to spruce up the lobby of the smaller theatre. Since the bigger secret opened its important to me that the black box get a face lift as well, we wouldn't want our public to look at us as the ugly child.
If you haven't been to our midsummer website I highly recommended you do it-
Tim Cox did an amazing job!
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!
Katherine
Both days we got out at 6:00pm-4 hours early!!
All of the designers were amazingly on top of their game, Griffin kept the whole thing running, and I was a director.
I special thank you to the entire production team and cast who make the tech the smoothest I could ask for.
Even though we got out early everyone is still wiped. We completed a cue to cue on Saturday and 2 full runs today.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we have full dress/previews-there are a few audience members who cannot make the run of the show and will be joining us. On Tuesday my good friend Krystal Phelps will be taking photos.
Currently Richard (the artistic director) and Alexis are working hard with me in order to spruce up the lobby of the smaller theatre. Since the bigger secret opened its important to me that the black box get a face lift as well, we wouldn't want our public to look at us as the ugly child.
If you haven't been to our midsummer website I highly recommended you do it-
Tim Cox did an amazing job!
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!
Katherine
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Interview with Hannah
Spotlight on Katherine M. Carter, Director of The Secret Theatre's Upcoming A Midsummer Night's Dream
Author: Hannah Marie Ellison — Published: Nov 23, 2009
The Queens Players, who work out of the Secret Theatre in Long Island City, are back with yet another classical work for the stage. This time it's William Shakespeare’s much loved comedy/fantasy A Midsummer Night's Dream, which opens on December 3rd.
From the press release: Follow four young lovers into a colorful and mysterious forest where fairies Titania and Oberon rule, where a band of “rude mechanicals”, led by the hilarious Bottom, rehearse a play and where love is put to the test by the mischievous Puck. In the end, will the lovers end up with their correct mate? Will the mechanicals make it to their performance before the Duke? Is Titania doomed to love an ass?
You may be thinking to yourself, "Another production of Midsummer"? I certainly thought that at first. But something about director Katherine M. Carter's production is drawing me in.
Perhaps it's Carter herself, her enthusiasm and passion for her work.
A graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, where she earned a BFA in Acting and a BA in Directing, her enthusiasm and passion for the work have kept Carter extremely busy. She has directed and assistant directed productions with both the Hangar Theatre and the American Globe Theatre and has even served as a directing intern on the Tony award winning Billy Elliott: The Musical.
Actor Timothy J. Cox, who plays Peter Quince in the upcoming production of Midsummer, has said, "Katherine is just one of those bright, shining talents. I look at her and I know that she's going to work forever."
Although very busy bringing Midsummer to life, Ms. Carter was gracious enough to take a few minutes to answer some questions for Blogcritics.
Could you please give us a bit of background about yourself? How did you get involved in the theatre? Have you always wanted to direct?
I'm a Midwestern girl, born and raised in Michigan. I am the oldest of three siblings with two younger brothers. I started in theater in the 6th grade when my crush wanted to do theater and I wanted to hang out with him. From then onwards, I acted in everything. From 9th to 12th grade, I performed in over 60 productions. My senior year of high school, I directed my first production, a stage version of Clue.
After that I was aware that directing was a path I could take. During college I earned my BFA in Acting and a BA in Directing, and I would say that junior year was when the transformation took full effect. Between junior and senior year, I was a member of the Hangar Lab Company, saw that directing was really where I wanted to be and from then on it was a done deal.
The short answer to that question is: No, I didn't always want to direct, but sometimes you have to be honest enough to say "I'm a good actress and singer, but I am a much better storyteller from the outside." On top of that I have too many control issues to be an actor (laughs).
How did you become aware of The Secret Theatre and why did you want to become involved as a director with the company?
A lovely actress, Elspeth Turner, was in their production of Macbeth last spring. We were working on a production of The Odd Couple together at the time and she invited me to see her work. After Macbeth, I met Richard Mazda, the Artistic Director of The Queens Players, and we exchanged information.
I wanted to direct at this particular theater because there was so much potential with the space and the actors, I wanted to tap into it and see what I could do. As directors we are always looking for places where our skills could be of use, and since I had just come off of directing Twelfth Night, I knew my Shakespeare experience would fit right in with the company. Richard and I talked, he invited me to direct Midsummer, and that was that.
With so many productions of Shakespeare, especially A Midsummer Nights' Dream, going up every year, what made you want to direct this show, in the winter of all times?
Ah, the age old "why Midsummer" question. Very good. To tackle the Midsummer in winter question for me is simple – why should I let a shows' title dictate when it gets performed? Would you only do The Winter's Tale in winter? Or Summer and Smoke in the Summer? The seasons are ever changing and what is lovely about theater is that you enter a world away from the outside and are transported somewhere new. It's not what's happening outside that matters, but the story that is being told inside which counts.
For the show itself, I have always loved Midsummer. This production is a personal thank you to past theatre teachers who made me read the play over and over and perform in it. So many of us storytellers take this show on every year, but for me, it is about finding something new and interesting with a tried and true text. It is also a director "must do," as I say. Almost every director has done their version of Midsummer at least once, if not more, and this is my first go at it.
What is it about this play that speaks to you? What do you hope an audience will take away from your approach to the production?
The story speaks to me as a director. I love the variations of emotions, the levels of being in love, and the pure, almost farce-like comedy. As a director, when you see a good story, you want to tell it in your own voice. Midsummer has always been that way for me. I want the audience to laugh out loud and have a jolly good evening of theater.
For each audience member who sits in that theatre, the experience will be different: some will laugh at the mechanicals, some will feel for Helena, and others will dislike Puck for meddling. It's all subjective. For me, it's about communicating the story. If the audience leaves understanding the story, hopefully on a new level, and has fun, then I'm happy.
I was delighted to read that you have worked with a Shakespeare giant, John Basil at the American Globe Theatre in Manhattan. How did you become involved with the company? Have your collaborations with him and the Globe helped shape you as a director? If so, how?
John Basil has had a huge impact on me as an artist. He is a wonderful mentor and friend. Both he and his lovely and talented wife Liz are friends and supporters of my work.
John took over the fourth year of the BFA acting program my senior year of college. We got to know each other in class, and about a month in, I asked him if I could work on his next show at the American Globe. Well, that happened to be Henry V and I was one of the two associate directors working on it. John was a great teacher both in class and in rehearsals.
After Henry V, there was a director opening in the Globe's 10-Minute Play Competition. John offered me a spot and the piece was well received. To say the least, John and I spent a lot of time in the same rehearsal room. My directing style is under the direct influence of John. He gave me a great set of tools to attack any text, and a renewed love of Shakespeare. I look forward to working with AGT on many more productions.
What's next for you?
More directing. I have a few things in the works. Coming up at the end of January, I will be directing a reading of a new play, The Rose Gardener by Sarah Ashley Bischoff at The Tank. I've been keeping the spring open for some new plays and musicals. This fall and winter have been a complete blur, since September I have worked on almost ten shows, so the spring is more of a blank canvas at this time. You can always check out my website my website for the latest and greatest.
A Midsummer Night's Dream opens on December 3rd and runs until January 3rd. For information on the production, please visit The Secret Theatre's website (www.secrettheatre.com).
Author: Hannah Marie Ellison — Published: Nov 23, 2009
The Queens Players, who work out of the Secret Theatre in Long Island City, are back with yet another classical work for the stage. This time it's William Shakespeare’s much loved comedy/fantasy A Midsummer Night's Dream, which opens on December 3rd.
From the press release: Follow four young lovers into a colorful and mysterious forest where fairies Titania and Oberon rule, where a band of “rude mechanicals”, led by the hilarious Bottom, rehearse a play and where love is put to the test by the mischievous Puck. In the end, will the lovers end up with their correct mate? Will the mechanicals make it to their performance before the Duke? Is Titania doomed to love an ass?
You may be thinking to yourself, "Another production of Midsummer"? I certainly thought that at first. But something about director Katherine M. Carter's production is drawing me in.
Perhaps it's Carter herself, her enthusiasm and passion for her work.
A graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, where she earned a BFA in Acting and a BA in Directing, her enthusiasm and passion for the work have kept Carter extremely busy. She has directed and assistant directed productions with both the Hangar Theatre and the American Globe Theatre and has even served as a directing intern on the Tony award winning Billy Elliott: The Musical.
Actor Timothy J. Cox, who plays Peter Quince in the upcoming production of Midsummer, has said, "Katherine is just one of those bright, shining talents. I look at her and I know that she's going to work forever."
Although very busy bringing Midsummer to life, Ms. Carter was gracious enough to take a few minutes to answer some questions for Blogcritics.
Could you please give us a bit of background about yourself? How did you get involved in the theatre? Have you always wanted to direct?
I'm a Midwestern girl, born and raised in Michigan. I am the oldest of three siblings with two younger brothers. I started in theater in the 6th grade when my crush wanted to do theater and I wanted to hang out with him. From then onwards, I acted in everything. From 9th to 12th grade, I performed in over 60 productions. My senior year of high school, I directed my first production, a stage version of Clue.
After that I was aware that directing was a path I could take. During college I earned my BFA in Acting and a BA in Directing, and I would say that junior year was when the transformation took full effect. Between junior and senior year, I was a member of the Hangar Lab Company, saw that directing was really where I wanted to be and from then on it was a done deal.
The short answer to that question is: No, I didn't always want to direct, but sometimes you have to be honest enough to say "I'm a good actress and singer, but I am a much better storyteller from the outside." On top of that I have too many control issues to be an actor (laughs).
How did you become aware of The Secret Theatre and why did you want to become involved as a director with the company?
A lovely actress, Elspeth Turner, was in their production of Macbeth last spring. We were working on a production of The Odd Couple together at the time and she invited me to see her work. After Macbeth, I met Richard Mazda, the Artistic Director of The Queens Players, and we exchanged information.
I wanted to direct at this particular theater because there was so much potential with the space and the actors, I wanted to tap into it and see what I could do. As directors we are always looking for places where our skills could be of use, and since I had just come off of directing Twelfth Night, I knew my Shakespeare experience would fit right in with the company. Richard and I talked, he invited me to direct Midsummer, and that was that.
With so many productions of Shakespeare, especially A Midsummer Nights' Dream, going up every year, what made you want to direct this show, in the winter of all times?
Ah, the age old "why Midsummer" question. Very good. To tackle the Midsummer in winter question for me is simple – why should I let a shows' title dictate when it gets performed? Would you only do The Winter's Tale in winter? Or Summer and Smoke in the Summer? The seasons are ever changing and what is lovely about theater is that you enter a world away from the outside and are transported somewhere new. It's not what's happening outside that matters, but the story that is being told inside which counts.
For the show itself, I have always loved Midsummer. This production is a personal thank you to past theatre teachers who made me read the play over and over and perform in it. So many of us storytellers take this show on every year, but for me, it is about finding something new and interesting with a tried and true text. It is also a director "must do," as I say. Almost every director has done their version of Midsummer at least once, if not more, and this is my first go at it.
What is it about this play that speaks to you? What do you hope an audience will take away from your approach to the production?
The story speaks to me as a director. I love the variations of emotions, the levels of being in love, and the pure, almost farce-like comedy. As a director, when you see a good story, you want to tell it in your own voice. Midsummer has always been that way for me. I want the audience to laugh out loud and have a jolly good evening of theater.
For each audience member who sits in that theatre, the experience will be different: some will laugh at the mechanicals, some will feel for Helena, and others will dislike Puck for meddling. It's all subjective. For me, it's about communicating the story. If the audience leaves understanding the story, hopefully on a new level, and has fun, then I'm happy.
I was delighted to read that you have worked with a Shakespeare giant, John Basil at the American Globe Theatre in Manhattan. How did you become involved with the company? Have your collaborations with him and the Globe helped shape you as a director? If so, how?
John Basil has had a huge impact on me as an artist. He is a wonderful mentor and friend. Both he and his lovely and talented wife Liz are friends and supporters of my work.
John took over the fourth year of the BFA acting program my senior year of college. We got to know each other in class, and about a month in, I asked him if I could work on his next show at the American Globe. Well, that happened to be Henry V and I was one of the two associate directors working on it. John was a great teacher both in class and in rehearsals.
After Henry V, there was a director opening in the Globe's 10-Minute Play Competition. John offered me a spot and the piece was well received. To say the least, John and I spent a lot of time in the same rehearsal room. My directing style is under the direct influence of John. He gave me a great set of tools to attack any text, and a renewed love of Shakespeare. I look forward to working with AGT on many more productions.
What's next for you?
More directing. I have a few things in the works. Coming up at the end of January, I will be directing a reading of a new play, The Rose Gardener by Sarah Ashley Bischoff at The Tank. I've been keeping the spring open for some new plays and musicals. This fall and winter have been a complete blur, since September I have worked on almost ten shows, so the spring is more of a blank canvas at this time. You can always check out my website my website for the latest and greatest.
A Midsummer Night's Dream opens on December 3rd and runs until January 3rd. For information on the production, please visit The Secret Theatre's website (www.secrettheatre.com).
Blog Critics Interview
I had I lovely interview with Hannah from Blog Critics.
The article was posted on Monday, and I will be posting the entire interview here shortly.
For some reason the link isn't working on this computer.
Midsummer has gone well the past two night. The theatre is painted, lights have been focused, and we are ready to build the cues today.
The article was posted on Monday, and I will be posting the entire interview here shortly.
For some reason the link isn't working on this computer.
Midsummer has gone well the past two night. The theatre is painted, lights have been focused, and we are ready to build the cues today.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Misunderstanding
Well-Another show closes while the other goes into Tech
Today The Misunderstanding closed. THe show had a successful run, money wise, but there was a lot of negative energy surrounding the production. I don't say this to be mean, it is an observation. There seem to be a lot of communication issues from Day One that spread from the rehearsal room. That being said, I met some wonderful people at The Flea as well as some special collaborators.
Midsummer Tech starts tomorrow night. Rich (the General Manager of the Queens Players) will be meeting with myself and Lisa (my lighting designer) in the theater to show us how the system works. Lisa will watch the run through tonight, and join me at the theater on Tuesday to start building cues. The light plot is going to be fairly simple, but effective. Midsummer as a whole is focused on the story with everything else as the spices that make it delicious. I have confidence in Lisa's design for this show and am looking forward to showing her what we have been up too.
Also on Monday is the painting party! That theatre has to get white somehow!
Thursday our sound designer, Jill Walker, gets into town. Friday is dedicated to Jill and I working in the space while some actors help out cleaning, hanging fabric, and adjusting costumes. I cannot stress enough how wonderful working with this cast has been. They are extremely giving.
If you haven't bought your tickets yet check out www.MidsummerInWinter.Weebly.com for details on online ordering.
Today The Misunderstanding closed. THe show had a successful run, money wise, but there was a lot of negative energy surrounding the production. I don't say this to be mean, it is an observation. There seem to be a lot of communication issues from Day One that spread from the rehearsal room. That being said, I met some wonderful people at The Flea as well as some special collaborators.
Midsummer Tech starts tomorrow night. Rich (the General Manager of the Queens Players) will be meeting with myself and Lisa (my lighting designer) in the theater to show us how the system works. Lisa will watch the run through tonight, and join me at the theater on Tuesday to start building cues. The light plot is going to be fairly simple, but effective. Midsummer as a whole is focused on the story with everything else as the spices that make it delicious. I have confidence in Lisa's design for this show and am looking forward to showing her what we have been up too.
Also on Monday is the painting party! That theatre has to get white somehow!
Thursday our sound designer, Jill Walker, gets into town. Friday is dedicated to Jill and I working in the space while some actors help out cleaning, hanging fabric, and adjusting costumes. I cannot stress enough how wonderful working with this cast has been. They are extremely giving.
If you haven't bought your tickets yet check out www.MidsummerInWinter.Weebly.com for details on online ordering.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Looking Forward
Tuesday and Wednesday went by in a flash. Both rehearsals were very productive, and on Wednesday we even had cupcakes. In this photo we have Bottom encountering the fairies for the first time.
I am proud of the progress we have been making in rehearsals but there is always a concern about tech. While our tech isn't as intricate as others there are still going to be many new elements introduced into the playing environment. All of my designers have unique ideas, and I am looking forward to putting it all in the mix to see what comes out.
Monday post rehearsal we will be having a big painting party (got to make the space white somehow!). It's going to be fun to help transform the space into our world of Midsummer. I always find that casts can really come together when doing physical labor for a common goal. True story!
Also in the works is The Rose Gardener reading set at The Tank for end of January along with Production Managing DirectorFest 2009 in Mid-December.
This weekend marks the end of The Misunderstanding at The Flea. The best thing I will take away with me will be the people I have met at The Flea, great bunch. Their show The Great Recession is playing now- I suggest you go!
Finally- I am almost done with my interview with Hannah for BlogCritics. I will post it here when it goes out.
Check out the Midsummer Website designed by Tim Cox:
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
My Beautiful Cast!
My beautiful cast of Midsummer Night's Dream!
Check out the show website at: www.MidsummerinWinter.weebly.com
And more production photos at my website www.KatherineMCarter.com
First Full Cast Rehearsal
Tonight was our first time together as a cast! As the director I couldn't me more pleased to see everyone. When rehearsing Midsummer you find yourself in the room with the four main groups (The Lovers, The Clowns, The Fairies, and The Mortals) but rarely all together. It was important for everyone to see the work their cast mates had been up to these past two and a half weeks.
Starting around 8:30pm we began our work through the play, stopping and starting, relocking, tweaking, etc. We got through all of Act One and half of Act Two. Ideally this would have been a full run but I knew it wasn’t going to be that simple and prepared myself to continue the work tonight and Wednesday.
Overall I am very pleased with the work I saw last night. We have polishing to do, but we are in a good place to take the crazy that is tech week and Thanksgiving.
Tonight I am working with The Lovers and The Fairies (plus Bottom), Wednesday The Clowns. By the end of Wednesday night we should have, at least, a complete run-able show.
Thursday I will be posting rehearsal and production photos.
Starting around 8:30pm we began our work through the play, stopping and starting, relocking, tweaking, etc. We got through all of Act One and half of Act Two. Ideally this would have been a full run but I knew it wasn’t going to be that simple and prepared myself to continue the work tonight and Wednesday.
Overall I am very pleased with the work I saw last night. We have polishing to do, but we are in a good place to take the crazy that is tech week and Thanksgiving.
Tonight I am working with The Lovers and The Fairies (plus Bottom), Wednesday The Clowns. By the end of Wednesday night we should have, at least, a complete run-able show.
Thursday I will be posting rehearsal and production photos.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Our High Tech Lives
8% of Twitter Users Twitter during Theater and Live Performances
Shame on you Twitter Users During Theater!
This harkens back to a time when Twitter was just getting big and a casting director tweeted during auditions about their bad or good auditions-Bad form!
People-Tweet Before, Tweet After, Hell Tweet During Intermission-DO NOT TWEET DURING A SHOW! OR text for that matter...
Oh and turn off your cell phones.
Rant done.
Shame on you Twitter Users During Theater!
This harkens back to a time when Twitter was just getting big and a casting director tweeted during auditions about their bad or good auditions-Bad form!
People-Tweet Before, Tweet After, Hell Tweet During Intermission-DO NOT TWEET DURING A SHOW! OR text for that matter...
Oh and turn off your cell phones.
Rant done.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Neil Simon Plays Closed Sunday November 1st
After only 25 previews and 9 performances The Neil Simon Plays closed last Sunday.
Currently playing was Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound was set to play in rep with Brighton starting in December. The two autobiopgraphical plays Neil wrote based on his life were together renamed The Neil Simon Plays. Brighton Beach got wonderful reviews from the Times and it looked like things were going well for the classic american playwright-and then it happened, a closing notice.
Why is this important? (shame on you for asking)
The premature closing of The Neil Simon Plays has two lessons to teach:
1. Marketing is everything (I will explain in a bit)
2. If Neil Simon cant sell tickets-its not a good sign for theater.
Lets start by looking at marketing. On my way to work each day I pass by the Neederlander. And each day I saw the Billboards for The Neil Simon Plays. I also work in theater and am aware that The Neil Simon Plays is indeed happening on Broadway and I just assumed people bought tickets becuase it is Neil Simon.
But what if you didnt know it was happening? I would wager that a vast majority of the american public had no idea these shows were being performed. Since I am a stickler for good marketing here are some of the things I noticed in the lack of marketing and what I would have done.
1. Renaming both shows The Neil Simon Plays-doing this created confusion for the public. I had many questions if this was a new Neil Simon play. I understand that they were trying to make an event out of the two plays but they didn't do a good enough job of making it a MUST SEE event. Rather than rename the two why not call them what they are-Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound in a rare must see event-or something like that. Make the titles prominent so that people see them and go "Oh! I remember Broadway Bound" Its nostalgic.
2. Getting the word out about the performances. I saw no adds or billboards or commercials or anything really. The only reason I knew it was happening was because I walked by the theater.
3. Broadway Bound was scheduled to open later into the run of Brighton Beach. What they should have done was opened both at the same time in Rep to promote the event of the two together.
All of that was to say that marketing is important to every show-hence why Midsummer's Marketing is so important to me. In order to get the word out we are having fundraisers, facebook events, twittering, advanced ticket sales, and a great cast telling all of their friends.
What do you think was the problem with the Neil Simon Plays?
Currently playing was Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound was set to play in rep with Brighton starting in December. The two autobiopgraphical plays Neil wrote based on his life were together renamed The Neil Simon Plays. Brighton Beach got wonderful reviews from the Times and it looked like things were going well for the classic american playwright-and then it happened, a closing notice.
Why is this important? (shame on you for asking)
The premature closing of The Neil Simon Plays has two lessons to teach:
1. Marketing is everything (I will explain in a bit)
2. If Neil Simon cant sell tickets-its not a good sign for theater.
Lets start by looking at marketing. On my way to work each day I pass by the Neederlander. And each day I saw the Billboards for The Neil Simon Plays. I also work in theater and am aware that The Neil Simon Plays is indeed happening on Broadway and I just assumed people bought tickets becuase it is Neil Simon.
But what if you didnt know it was happening? I would wager that a vast majority of the american public had no idea these shows were being performed. Since I am a stickler for good marketing here are some of the things I noticed in the lack of marketing and what I would have done.
1. Renaming both shows The Neil Simon Plays-doing this created confusion for the public. I had many questions if this was a new Neil Simon play. I understand that they were trying to make an event out of the two plays but they didn't do a good enough job of making it a MUST SEE event. Rather than rename the two why not call them what they are-Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound in a rare must see event-or something like that. Make the titles prominent so that people see them and go "Oh! I remember Broadway Bound" Its nostalgic.
2. Getting the word out about the performances. I saw no adds or billboards or commercials or anything really. The only reason I knew it was happening was because I walked by the theater.
3. Broadway Bound was scheduled to open later into the run of Brighton Beach. What they should have done was opened both at the same time in Rep to promote the event of the two together.
All of that was to say that marketing is important to every show-hence why Midsummer's Marketing is so important to me. In order to get the word out we are having fundraisers, facebook events, twittering, advanced ticket sales, and a great cast telling all of their friends.
What do you think was the problem with the Neil Simon Plays?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
MidSummer update
Midsummer rehearsals are going fantastic!
Each one gets better than the rest-a big highlight this week was the mechanicals. Their reading of Pyramus and Thisbee is going to bring down the house.
We are working on two upcoming fundraisers for the show:
The first is a classic bar party coming up at the start of November. This will be our kick off party-get the postcards out, mingle with friends, all in all-get excited for the show.
The second (and this is the bug party) is A Midsummer Slumber Party! It will be a sneak peak of the show and a chance to hang out in pj's with the cast and crew of Midsummer. We will be playing movies, have s'mores, and all around a good time.
A reminder that WEDNESDAY-MYSTERY PLAYS OPENS! Check out www.secrettheatre.com for details.
Best, Katherine
Each one gets better than the rest-a big highlight this week was the mechanicals. Their reading of Pyramus and Thisbee is going to bring down the house.
We are working on two upcoming fundraisers for the show:
The first is a classic bar party coming up at the start of November. This will be our kick off party-get the postcards out, mingle with friends, all in all-get excited for the show.
The second (and this is the bug party) is A Midsummer Slumber Party! It will be a sneak peak of the show and a chance to hang out in pj's with the cast and crew of Midsummer. We will be playing movies, have s'mores, and all around a good time.
A reminder that WEDNESDAY-MYSTERY PLAYS OPENS! Check out www.secrettheatre.com for details.
Best, Katherine
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
MidSummer and Mystery Plays
Midsummer is off and running! We have had a great first 3 rehearsals-the fairies, mechanicals, and lovers are well on the way to making an amazing show!
I love when my Job is easy.
A special thank you to Tim Cox who has been on top of the marketing plan-really helping me get the word about this show out to the public. We are looking to have lots of publicity-interviews, articles, parties, anything to let people know WE ARE HERE! It's rare that Shakespeare is done well-this is going to be one of those occasions.
In other news-We are looking to have two fundraisers for the show: a basic bar party to get the hype started and a Sleepover. Thats right-a Midsummer Night's Sleepover. We are going to watch movies, have raffles, drinks, good food, and pjs.
And if you are looking for a good show next week check out The Mystery Plays at The Secret Theater. Jeff Crosley is the director and he has a great cast. The play is comprised of two one-acts-both involve spooky stories. Check out www.SecretTheatre.com for tickets.
I love when my Job is easy.
A special thank you to Tim Cox who has been on top of the marketing plan-really helping me get the word about this show out to the public. We are looking to have lots of publicity-interviews, articles, parties, anything to let people know WE ARE HERE! It's rare that Shakespeare is done well-this is going to be one of those occasions.
In other news-We are looking to have two fundraisers for the show: a basic bar party to get the hype started and a Sleepover. Thats right-a Midsummer Night's Sleepover. We are going to watch movies, have raffles, drinks, good food, and pjs.
And if you are looking for a good show next week check out The Mystery Plays at The Secret Theater. Jeff Crosley is the director and he has a great cast. The play is comprised of two one-acts-both involve spooky stories. Check out www.SecretTheatre.com for tickets.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Finally after non stop working I am taking a short break to see my family in Michigan. I arrived this morning on an early flight and will be here until Monday the 12th at noon.
THe goal for this break is to rest up before I get back to Mid Summer, Misunderstanding and prep for January shows.
In other news-one of my yorkies has a little cast that weighs more than she does-its the cutest thing ever.
Katherine
THe goal for this break is to rest up before I get back to Mid Summer, Misunderstanding and prep for January shows.
In other news-one of my yorkies has a little cast that weighs more than she does-its the cutest thing ever.
Katherine
Monday, October 5, 2009
3 shows in 7 days!
What a crazy week last week was!
All three shows opened without too much heartache-and were well recieved.
Marrying Meg had their opening on Tuesday night. After only a day of tech (for a full 2 hour musical) there were only one or two technical snags in the performance that night. On top of that we had almost a full house-on a tuesday-wonderful. We had a great photo spread in BroadwayWorld-check it out HERE.
While I really enjoyed working with Dave and the cast of Marrying Meg-it was a reminder that I have to be really selectetive about the assistant jobs I take on. I defiantly learned what I would have done in Dave's situation- a director with a short rehearsal process for a full length new musical. It's about being organized with a game plan. You need to plan out the rehearsal day in order move smoothly through the production. The hardest part about Marrying Meg was that our amazing playwright, Mark, could not afford to come back from Scotland for the show. He had put all of his money into the show-it was awful. We all wished he could be there for the opening.
Goldie and the Bears went up at the Hilarity Ball's Festival at the Richmond Shepard Theater on Oct 1st and 2nd. I was fortunate enough to work with two lovely producers and a fabulous playwright-David Rigano. We only had a few rehearsals because of the actors schedules, which made Tech our first full run before the opening. Even with the short process we rocked at the festival! The audience was dying of laughter and David loved what the cast and I did with his text. I look forward to more projects with David.
Finally-the Tip My Cup Quickie began at 6:30pm on Friday night. I got a group of three actors with Elizabeth Nolan as our playwright. We were each given a "text from last night"-ours was "I gave it to him in a baseball analogy-there are three teams in the rooster-friends, dating, and f*ck buddies, and the f*ck buddies rooster is full. Pick another team"
What could have been a 10-minute scene about modern day texting became a film noir bar scene. Elizabeth had a fantastic imagination-and gave each actor a chance to shine. We started rehearsal at 930am-worked until 2pm and then went up at 8pm. From 2-8 we had various meetings and tech rehearsals with the other shows. I am happy to report that our show was the favorite of the 8pm line up. We got lots of compliments on our work-and the audiences laughter proved to be a good measure as well. I even got a lovely compliment on my use of triangles (thank you John Basil).
After the opening we had a fantastic party with the artistic directors of the company. Both Ashley and James (the two in charge) expressed interest in working with me again. I have sent them two scripts to look over, and hope to hear from them soon.
Sunday Mid Summer Nights Dream began rehearsals. What a LOVELY group! I have to say- I have never been more excited to start on a production than I am about Mid Summer. We are taking a break until Oct 12th. I am taking a much needed vacation (a quick one) to Michigan to see my family. I look forward to spending that time with my parents, brothers, and extended family, as well as my past teachers.
Keep a look out for the Mid Summer press release!
Katherine M Carter
All three shows opened without too much heartache-and were well recieved.
Marrying Meg had their opening on Tuesday night. After only a day of tech (for a full 2 hour musical) there were only one or two technical snags in the performance that night. On top of that we had almost a full house-on a tuesday-wonderful. We had a great photo spread in BroadwayWorld-check it out HERE.
While I really enjoyed working with Dave and the cast of Marrying Meg-it was a reminder that I have to be really selectetive about the assistant jobs I take on. I defiantly learned what I would have done in Dave's situation- a director with a short rehearsal process for a full length new musical. It's about being organized with a game plan. You need to plan out the rehearsal day in order move smoothly through the production. The hardest part about Marrying Meg was that our amazing playwright, Mark, could not afford to come back from Scotland for the show. He had put all of his money into the show-it was awful. We all wished he could be there for the opening.
Goldie and the Bears went up at the Hilarity Ball's Festival at the Richmond Shepard Theater on Oct 1st and 2nd. I was fortunate enough to work with two lovely producers and a fabulous playwright-David Rigano. We only had a few rehearsals because of the actors schedules, which made Tech our first full run before the opening. Even with the short process we rocked at the festival! The audience was dying of laughter and David loved what the cast and I did with his text. I look forward to more projects with David.
Finally-the Tip My Cup Quickie began at 6:30pm on Friday night. I got a group of three actors with Elizabeth Nolan as our playwright. We were each given a "text from last night"-ours was "I gave it to him in a baseball analogy-there are three teams in the rooster-friends, dating, and f*ck buddies, and the f*ck buddies rooster is full. Pick another team"
What could have been a 10-minute scene about modern day texting became a film noir bar scene. Elizabeth had a fantastic imagination-and gave each actor a chance to shine. We started rehearsal at 930am-worked until 2pm and then went up at 8pm. From 2-8 we had various meetings and tech rehearsals with the other shows. I am happy to report that our show was the favorite of the 8pm line up. We got lots of compliments on our work-and the audiences laughter proved to be a good measure as well. I even got a lovely compliment on my use of triangles (thank you John Basil).
After the opening we had a fantastic party with the artistic directors of the company. Both Ashley and James (the two in charge) expressed interest in working with me again. I have sent them two scripts to look over, and hope to hear from them soon.
Sunday Mid Summer Nights Dream began rehearsals. What a LOVELY group! I have to say- I have never been more excited to start on a production than I am about Mid Summer. We are taking a break until Oct 12th. I am taking a much needed vacation (a quick one) to Michigan to see my family. I look forward to spending that time with my parents, brothers, and extended family, as well as my past teachers.
Keep a look out for the Mid Summer press release!
Katherine M Carter
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Three Openings
There are three fabulous shows opening in the coming week that I am working on:
The first is Marrying Meg, the NYMF show that has an all star cast.
We open September 29th at 8pm at The Theater at St. Clements (423 W 46th Street between 9th and 10th Ave)
Take the A/C/E or 1/2/3 to 42nd Street, or the N/R/W to 49th Street
Other performances-Oct 1 at 5pm, Oct 2 at 9pm, Oct 3 at 1pm, Oct 4 at 4pm, Oct 6 and 9pm
Check out
The Second is the latest Hilarity Balls Festival at the Richmond Shepard Theater on October 1st and 2nd at 8pm.
Tickets are $20 at the door and $15 in advance through SmartTix. The piece Im directing is called Goldie and the Bears-a very cute twist on the classic fairy tale. Above is the flyer.
Finally-Tip My Cup Quickie Festival goes up October 3rd. Its a 24 hour festival where everything gets written, rehearsed, and performed within 24 hours. The flyer is also above! Im sure I will have lots of stuff about that.
Hope you can make it to one of the three.
Best, Katherine
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Mid Summer Round 2
Mid Summer Casting Round 2 is next week on Monday and Tuesday (21 and 22)
For more information or if you would like to audition please e mail MidSummer.Qp@gmail.com
Katherine
For more information or if you would like to audition please e mail MidSummer.Qp@gmail.com
Katherine
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tip My Cup Quickie
Good news today, a directing position on a 24 hour play festival I interviewed for a week ago called me today asking me to be one of their directors.
The company is Tip My Cup, and for those of you who have never experienced a 24 hour play festival before let me give you a breakdown-
Basically a writer, director, and actors have 24 hours to write, direct, memorize, rehearse, and perform a play. Its a big chaotic, but a lot of fun. This one starts on the evening of Oct 2nd and performs on Saturday October 3rd.
For more information visit
Tonight I am in the final casting stages for Goldie.
On top of all of this, an extremely talented playwright/sketch comedy writer Casey Jones and I are working on a wonderful monthly evening of laughs, more details to follow.
The company is Tip My Cup, and for those of you who have never experienced a 24 hour play festival before let me give you a breakdown-
Basically a writer, director, and actors have 24 hours to write, direct, memorize, rehearse, and perform a play. Its a big chaotic, but a lot of fun. This one starts on the evening of Oct 2nd and performs on Saturday October 3rd.
For more information visit
Tonight I am in the final casting stages for Goldie.
On top of all of this, an extremely talented playwright/sketch comedy writer Casey Jones and I are working on a wonderful monthly evening of laughs, more details to follow.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Goldie Casting and More
Today casting has begun for Goldie and the Bears.
Im looking at starting rehearsals later this week with a max of 10-15 hours for rehearsals, since the script is 10 pages. The key, I have found, is finding that balance between feeling solid in the show without over rehearsing. This is especially difficult with a shorter play like Goldie and the Bears. The good news-its an adorable script, always a pleasure to work on those.
Mid Summer has set up its big casting call for Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd. Both will run from 7pm-10pm in the evening, actors will be asked to prepare a one minute comedic Shakespeare Monologue. I'm looking forward to finishing up casting and get into the first rehearsals soon.
Marrying Meg is going well, at least as far as I know. The downside of Marrying Meg is that I work at The Drama League during most days and the days Im not there I am working with a darling family in Astoria or teaching. Ah well, I will be there tomorrow. It is going to be a great show, I will put up the ticket link in my next post.
Finally, The Drama League had a great first board meeting today-we welcomed some great new board members including the glorious Donna Murphy! She was extremely nice and beautiful, talking about your clear skin.
Hope everyone had a great Monday!
Katherine Carter
Im looking at starting rehearsals later this week with a max of 10-15 hours for rehearsals, since the script is 10 pages. The key, I have found, is finding that balance between feeling solid in the show without over rehearsing. This is especially difficult with a shorter play like Goldie and the Bears. The good news-its an adorable script, always a pleasure to work on those.
Mid Summer has set up its big casting call for Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd. Both will run from 7pm-10pm in the evening, actors will be asked to prepare a one minute comedic Shakespeare Monologue. I'm looking forward to finishing up casting and get into the first rehearsals soon.
Marrying Meg is going well, at least as far as I know. The downside of Marrying Meg is that I work at The Drama League during most days and the days Im not there I am working with a darling family in Astoria or teaching. Ah well, I will be there tomorrow. It is going to be a great show, I will put up the ticket link in my next post.
Finally, The Drama League had a great first board meeting today-we welcomed some great new board members including the glorious Donna Murphy! She was extremely nice and beautiful, talking about your clear skin.
Hope everyone had a great Monday!
Katherine Carter
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Back to Broadway Month
Got my latest script for the Something Witty Productions next festival-Goldie and The Bears, an original by David Rigano *the one and only*
Today I have a phone meeting with the producer for the show about casting, set, space, etc. My biggest concern right now is where the space is. Last time, I ran into problems because I did not see the space until tech the day before. It wasn't a complete problem, but it was a bit of a pain. Hopefully this time I will get a chance to go down to the space myself and check it out.
I am also having brunch with the very talented Casey Jones. He is a playwright who recently moved to the city (coming up on his one year anniversary with ol' New York), but has a spectacular knack for murder mystery plays as well as short SLN like sketches. Currently we are working on getting his mystery "Say A Prayer for Emily Hall" off the ground.
September 13th, 2009 is also home to few other important things- Ave Q closes today after a great 6 year run (6 year?). It has always been a favorite to the tourists and families, as well as the New Yorkers here. I am happy to see it go out now though, its awful when great musicals go stale and have to be dragged off of broadway (i.e Chicago, come on now guys, time to go). Better to have a solid run, good reviews, and leave when people will still miss you.
Today is also Broadway on Broadway-that great concert that is apart of Broadway Cares Equity FIghts Aids. September is Back to Broadway month. There are lots of great events happening all through this month check out
Some of my FAVORITES:
Today-Broadway on Broadway, one of the first things I did when I moved to New York, it marks my 5th fall in New York. The concert is full of broadway stars, lots of fun fans and you get a preview of the season. You have to go once to go, but just watching on the tele is good enough for me now a days.
Sept 24th-Broadway Karaoke, never been before but it looks like a good time
Sept 27th-The Flea Market! This is great. All of the broadway shows get together and each have their own flea market stand in Schubert Alley. You meet lots of great people, and have great finds. Its my must for pre-Christmas shopping. I always get my friends something signed by the original cast or their favorite actor.
Remember to support Broadway this month. Each show will be asking for donations after their shows or have special deals from now through Christmas, give to at least one or two when you go. Its important that the Broadway Community has a support system like our audience.
Now, you have 2 hours before Broadway on Broadway starts at 11:30am-get dressed and get to Times Square!
Katherine Carter
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Mid Summer is on its way
Things are moving along with Mid Summer Nights Dream at The Secret Theater. We had our first round of casting this past week, offers went out to some lovely actors. The big casting call is going to be the 21st and 22nd From 630-10pm. After that we are looking to start rehearsals that first week of October. Good stuff.
Tomorrow I receive the scripts for Something Witty's second festival. Its going to be a crazy two weeks of rehearsals, but things will go up just fine, I hope. ;)
At the Drama League we are working on getting the application process for Directors Fall and Summer Programs up and running. They will be going live on November 1st. Keep a look out for them.
Upcoming shows I'm seeing:
I'm looking forward to seeing Othello at the public on the 25th and Wishful Drinking on the 20th. Both should be fantastic.
Thats all for now,
Katherine Carter
Tomorrow I receive the scripts for Something Witty's second festival. Its going to be a crazy two weeks of rehearsals, but things will go up just fine, I hope. ;)
At the Drama League we are working on getting the application process for Directors Fall and Summer Programs up and running. They will be going live on November 1st. Keep a look out for them.
Upcoming shows I'm seeing:
I'm looking forward to seeing Othello at the public on the 25th and Wishful Drinking on the 20th. Both should be fantastic.
Thats all for now,
Katherine Carter
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Something Witty Productions
I got a great call last night-I'm directing in the next Something Witty Productions Festival. We should get our scripts on the 15th then the show will happen on October 2nd (ish) Waiting to hear details about the theater. Either way its very exciting that a new company takes off like this one.
Auditions for Mid Summer are coming up next week tonight is going to be prep for auditions.
As the school year starts Im reminded of my favorite years in school-Middle School. If I were to write a book it would be called "Everything I need to know about working in theater I learned in Middle School Drama Class"
Auditions for Mid Summer are coming up next week tonight is going to be prep for auditions.
As the school year starts Im reminded of my favorite years in school-Middle School. If I were to write a book it would be called "Everything I need to know about working in theater I learned in Middle School Drama Class"
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Mid Summer, Horizon Rep, Marrying Meg, and The Mystery Plays
Werewolves closed on Friday with two performances under its belt. It was short but sweet run. While putting up the two short plays in the span of a week was tough at times we pulled through. The company-Something Witty Productions-is brand new, and will have many more productions, hopefully with more rehearsal at run time. I look forward to working with them again.
Since my last update there have been a few more shows added to my rooster, here are the details.
1. I was asked to direct A Mid Summer Nights Dream at The Secret Theater in Astoria, Queens. THe show will go up in December for a three week run. Auditions will happen at the end of September, Rehearsals in October and November, first week of tech in December with opening night that first thursday. We are starting early to insure that everyone gets the rehearsal time that is needed, especially with Thanksgiving its better to have more time than less time.
2. Im the production manager for the latest Horizon Rep show at The Flea. Looking forward to it. I have a meeting with the artistic director today to chat more. Check here and the website for more information
3. I'm working as the Assistant Director to Dave Soloman on his new NYMF musical- Marrying Meg. We only have a month to rehearse it! Its an all star cast of players, you will have to grab tickets! Looking forward to starting that on Tuesday.
I've also started at The Drama Leauge as the Associate Director of Programing, its been great.
Finally, a shameless plug for my boyfriend, director Jeff Crosley, he is directing is first New York show at The Secret Theater-The Mystery Plays. The catch is that he has to do it in two weeks, crazy! Im here for moral support and helping with production values. The production runs Thursday September 10-Saturday 12 (double saturday show) the tickets are $15. Check for more information.
Until next time.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Hilarity/Belly Laughs & Snorts Festival
Tonight is the opening of the Hilarity/Belly Laughs & Snorts Festival produced by Something Witty Productions. We only had a week and a half (thats 10 days including tech last night). Im directing 2 of the 8 short plays-An American Werewolf in Equus and Death Comes for a Wedding both written by the wonderful Joe Tracz (head of new play development at The Bridge Company).
After a some what rocky tech last night I'm meeting with my casts tonight before the show to go over last minute details with them before the 8pm go. Its going to be a wonderful night of theater. I saw some of the other shows last night and all of them give you a good laugh, and there is a variety so if you don't like the first you will more than likely like the second. I highly recommend this festival-only $15 on line for 2 hours of theater ($18 at the door). The Richmond Shepard Theater is located on 26th and 2nd Ave.
You can buy tickets at www.smarttix.com
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