A quick post to let everyone know that the new musical by KT Peterson "7:32" is going to be amazing.
I just read the new draft of act 1 and am beyond excited to start rehearsals.
A reminder that the workshop is going up in October in NYC at The Bridge Theater. There will be more information once I get back to new york and auditions/contracts are formalized, but just to keep in the back of your minds.
I have to say its a joy working with KT. She is one of those artists directors love to collaborate with for a large list of reasons, not to mention incredibly talented. This workshop is going to be such a wonderful theater experience.
Directing wise I am on my family vacation for two weeks in Michigan before heading out to Danville to direct "For Better" at the Pioneer Playhouse. These two weeks are great because I get to spend time with family, visit some of my past teachers, and see old friends. On top of that I get asked to teach classes on Shakespeare and basic acting workshops, a nice way to give back. Last night was my time with Rising Stars. We had a lovely chat but I did embarrass myself when they asked me to do a monologue....yikes! Overall it was a nice evening, but I was exhausted afterwards.
Coming up I will be working with several of my past directors on shows they are currently working on and continuing my tour with the camps to talk about "working in New York" the kids as the cutest questions. And next week someone very special will be coming to hang out with me in the mitten, can't say Im not excited about that as well.
Finally the website is finally all set for the next 3 years and I just got my new business cards from Zazzle (they are the skinny kind).
Time to get back to reading new plays!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Rising Stars on Monday and Starlight reopens
I will be judging the final monologue auditions for Rising Stars on Monday. While this may not be a big deal to most people in the world it holds a special significance to me. Rising Stars is a community theater group for 7th-11th graders in my hometown of Bloomfield Hills, MI. The group meets twice a week and puts on 5 shows a year, one of them a touring children's show, one shakespeare, one musical, one summer show (usually an action one like Robin Hood or Three Musketeers), and the 5th one is whatever Tom wants to do, usually a 3 hour show that is far beyond an 8th graders natural capability. It is, still, one of the most crazy theater experiences ever because you don't have that much time to learn an entire show, which he never cuts, and then you have to get up there and do it. You also always have to audition at the top of every show, which can be terrifying.
On top of all of that there are also point systems for being good in class, rewards, top monologue places, mentors, and an end of the year banquet where awards are given out. I never got any awards, top monologue yes but awards, no. I was in Rising Stars for 2 and a half years until High School and the other theater Tom runs (The Startlight) took over my entire life. In my time with Rising Stars I was in such shows as: Alice in Wonderland (The Duchess), Oliver! (Nancy), Robin Hood (Marian), Frog and Toads Great Adventure (The Bargewoman...Tom wont let me live that one down), TItania in Midsummer, the lead girl in Groovy (a musical tribute to the 70;s where I demanded my first stage kiss), The Skin of Our Teeth (gypsy, which i would learn later is the symbol for the devil), and a bunch of highly inappropriate parts in a show that is all dead people and its all monologues I cant remember the name right now. I also met the people who I am closest with today, most of whom have moved to NYC, and learned more lessons about directing and running a theater than any class could teach me.
So why is this important? Well, during directors lab chicago I got a lot of questions about where I learned to direct, and I replied from my experiences, all of which started with Rising Stars. So, I wanted to take this opportunity, since it was on my mind when Tom asked me to come by and judge, to thank Tom Logan for his generous support of my career for all of those years. He always pushed me to do better, and was always proud. Because of Rising Stars and Starlight I can put up any show in 2 weeks.
Now there have been several people who have helped shape me as an artist but with the great news that Starlight, which closed last August, has found a new space and is reopening and Tom asking me to come in for judging on Monday I found it fitting to thank Tom today. Good luck to Rising Stars and I will see you tomorrow night!
Last day in Pittsburgh with Andy!
On top of all of that there are also point systems for being good in class, rewards, top monologue places, mentors, and an end of the year banquet where awards are given out. I never got any awards, top monologue yes but awards, no. I was in Rising Stars for 2 and a half years until High School and the other theater Tom runs (The Startlight) took over my entire life. In my time with Rising Stars I was in such shows as: Alice in Wonderland (The Duchess), Oliver! (Nancy), Robin Hood (Marian), Frog and Toads Great Adventure (The Bargewoman...Tom wont let me live that one down), TItania in Midsummer, the lead girl in Groovy (a musical tribute to the 70;s where I demanded my first stage kiss), The Skin of Our Teeth (gypsy, which i would learn later is the symbol for the devil), and a bunch of highly inappropriate parts in a show that is all dead people and its all monologues I cant remember the name right now. I also met the people who I am closest with today, most of whom have moved to NYC, and learned more lessons about directing and running a theater than any class could teach me.
So why is this important? Well, during directors lab chicago I got a lot of questions about where I learned to direct, and I replied from my experiences, all of which started with Rising Stars. So, I wanted to take this opportunity, since it was on my mind when Tom asked me to come by and judge, to thank Tom Logan for his generous support of my career for all of those years. He always pushed me to do better, and was always proud. Because of Rising Stars and Starlight I can put up any show in 2 weeks.
Now there have been several people who have helped shape me as an artist but with the great news that Starlight, which closed last August, has found a new space and is reopening and Tom asking me to come in for judging on Monday I found it fitting to thank Tom today. Good luck to Rising Stars and I will see you tomorrow night!
Last day in Pittsburgh with Andy!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Directors Lab Chicago
Directors Lab Chicago was one crazy week.
I met some amazingly wonderful people and could not stop talking about theater! It was non stop from 9am to 9pm everyday, sometimes later. We started calling it directors camp because it was just like camp for adults. I have to say I have never had so much to think about as an artist than I did in that week. On top of it all my birthday was celebrated at a tech rehearsal and final dress for "Alice" at the Looking Glass Theater, lovely.
Here is a list of some of the things we did:
-Observed tech rehearsal at The Goodman and Looking Glass
-Observed Steve Scott at rehearsal for "After the Fall"
-saw Baal at the Chopin
-Saw Looking Glass Alice
-Saw Dead Letter Office
-more meetings with professionals than you can imagine
-lots of talking over wine about the future of the theater
-and lots of talking about process
On saturday I was asked to direct a short scene for the entire lab and it was thrilling and a bit nerve racking at the same time. I got a lot of great feedback and overall it was a great experience.
I have one more day until Pittsburgh-its time to pack!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Exhausted after hour 15
Had a 15 hour day of non stop theater discussion yesterday. Then everyone went out, I did not, I am not that awesome.
Today I have to direct a scene for the entire lab, and then they talk about it.
Woke up at 630am when i dont have to be there until 1130.
Contemplating staying an extra day but part of me really needs to get back to work. I may leave tomorrow night post final lab.
So many ideas swirling around in my head right now.
Well, I guess I go for a morning walk to clear my head.
More when I arrive back in the mitten.
Today I have to direct a scene for the entire lab, and then they talk about it.
Woke up at 630am when i dont have to be there until 1130.
Contemplating staying an extra day but part of me really needs to get back to work. I may leave tomorrow night post final lab.
So many ideas swirling around in my head right now.
Well, I guess I go for a morning walk to clear my head.
More when I arrive back in the mitten.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Day One of Directors Lab Chicago
Wow. What an amazing, wonderful, smart, giving, fun group of people.
Today we talked a lot, played getting to know you games, and talked a LOT of theater. It was so energizing to be in a room with so many ideas and opinions. On top of that everyone is respectful and open, wow. Loving it.
We ended tonight with a panel on "the female voice" with three women directors. They spoke to some great ideas that have been swirling around in my head. I'll have to debrief at the end of the lab since I am pretty tired right now.
Lets just say I cannot wait for tomorrow, and not just because its my birthday.
Tomorrow we will be at the Looking Glass Theatre watching a tech rehearsal of "Alice"
And, we will be going dancing for my birthday, another reason I am staying in tonight.
OH! Before I go. In a "small world" moment one of the other lab directors had see my adaptation of Madame Bovary! I know! What? Crazy. I mentioned it in the "who am I" section and she stopped me and said "Oh! I loved it!" then she came up to me later and complimented my use of space. It was a nice way to start my day.
Today we talked a lot, played getting to know you games, and talked a LOT of theater. It was so energizing to be in a room with so many ideas and opinions. On top of that everyone is respectful and open, wow. Loving it.
We ended tonight with a panel on "the female voice" with three women directors. They spoke to some great ideas that have been swirling around in my head. I'll have to debrief at the end of the lab since I am pretty tired right now.
Lets just say I cannot wait for tomorrow, and not just because its my birthday.
Tomorrow we will be at the Looking Glass Theatre watching a tech rehearsal of "Alice"
And, we will be going dancing for my birthday, another reason I am staying in tonight.
OH! Before I go. In a "small world" moment one of the other lab directors had see my adaptation of Madame Bovary! I know! What? Crazy. I mentioned it in the "who am I" section and she stopped me and said "Oh! I loved it!" then she came up to me later and complimented my use of space. It was a nice way to start my day.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Chicago Arrival Day
Waking up at 5am to catch a 6am train out of Michigan was better than expected. My Dad, always fun to drive with, was the brave solider who came with me and stayed until my train pulled up. I'm not sure it will ever be easy to leave either of my parents, my Dad especially, he even waved to the train as we pulled away. It must be the Daddy's girl in me.
After our goodbye it was 6 hours on a train, my first time! Unfortunately it was Michigan to Chicago; not much to see there, but fun none the less. I did a lot of staring out the window and sleeping. It was very cute watching the kids wave to the train as we passed schools and such, I guess the train is still cool no matter what.
Arriving in a rainy, overcast, Chicago around 11:30am (Chicago time) I hopped into a cab and headed to check into my hostel. The hostel is good, I think. It seems fine enough; clean, big, free breakfast, friendly staff, comfy bed, strange bathroom, but I cant help but feel like this is what normal college dorms are like. I have never lived in a normal college dorm, a Marymount dorm for one year, but never a "this is your room and the bathrooms are shared and you need a key card to get everywhere" dorm. So far, good. The biggest "issues" I foresee are: not many showers (problem in the mornings?) and the metro (or subway or CTA) runs right outside my window, fortunately the second problem should be okay with me because of NYC. But I digress.
Check into Hostel and.....pause. I have no idea where I am or how to get anywhere. Feeling a bit overwhelmed I ask the information desk for help. She gave me a map and said there was a book fair. Very sweet woman, less than helpful in some respects. After staring at the map for 30 minutes I set out on my journey. But where was my journey too? Well, the only place I know in Chicago was The Cheesecake Factory. It was a 2 mile walk from my hostel and I figured I could zig zag up, eat, and walk back. I did that (the total journey took 5 hours) and realized that Chicago has everything New York has so I was a bit cranky, not to mention exhausted. I arrive back at the hostel, shower and settle in for the night when I get a call from my friend Matt who is bar tending "really close to me" (he says) "come have a drink on me". I agree and start walking to his bar.
The bar, The Big Bowl, was 2 miles away right next to the Cheesecake Factory. But I was less cranky because I had showered and there was a free drink and a good friend. Matt and I chatted for about an hour before I headed back to the hostel, where I am now, to finish up my reading and get some shut eye. It wasnt an eventful day but a good one none the less.
Tomorrow I'm going for a morning run around the park, I want to find a good path for the week, and then checking out some culture in the museums. To finish it off I will be meeting up with Matt at the top of the Hancock building for a sunset toast over Chicago. But first some sleep.
Goodnight!
Ps. pictures to be added at the end of the trip.
After our goodbye it was 6 hours on a train, my first time! Unfortunately it was Michigan to Chicago; not much to see there, but fun none the less. I did a lot of staring out the window and sleeping. It was very cute watching the kids wave to the train as we passed schools and such, I guess the train is still cool no matter what.
Arriving in a rainy, overcast, Chicago around 11:30am (Chicago time) I hopped into a cab and headed to check into my hostel. The hostel is good, I think. It seems fine enough; clean, big, free breakfast, friendly staff, comfy bed, strange bathroom, but I cant help but feel like this is what normal college dorms are like. I have never lived in a normal college dorm, a Marymount dorm for one year, but never a "this is your room and the bathrooms are shared and you need a key card to get everywhere" dorm. So far, good. The biggest "issues" I foresee are: not many showers (problem in the mornings?) and the metro (or subway or CTA) runs right outside my window, fortunately the second problem should be okay with me because of NYC. But I digress.
Check into Hostel and.....pause. I have no idea where I am or how to get anywhere. Feeling a bit overwhelmed I ask the information desk for help. She gave me a map and said there was a book fair. Very sweet woman, less than helpful in some respects. After staring at the map for 30 minutes I set out on my journey. But where was my journey too? Well, the only place I know in Chicago was The Cheesecake Factory. It was a 2 mile walk from my hostel and I figured I could zig zag up, eat, and walk back. I did that (the total journey took 5 hours) and realized that Chicago has everything New York has so I was a bit cranky, not to mention exhausted. I arrive back at the hostel, shower and settle in for the night when I get a call from my friend Matt who is bar tending "really close to me" (he says) "come have a drink on me". I agree and start walking to his bar.
The bar, The Big Bowl, was 2 miles away right next to the Cheesecake Factory. But I was less cranky because I had showered and there was a free drink and a good friend. Matt and I chatted for about an hour before I headed back to the hostel, where I am now, to finish up my reading and get some shut eye. It wasnt an eventful day but a good one none the less.
Tomorrow I'm going for a morning run around the park, I want to find a good path for the week, and then checking out some culture in the museums. To finish it off I will be meeting up with Matt at the top of the Hancock building for a sunset toast over Chicago. But first some sleep.
Goodnight!
Ps. pictures to be added at the end of the trip.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Planning for Chicago
I arrived in my home state of Michigan yesterday with three days to prep for my 10 day chicago trip.
Here is one major problem-I know nothing about Chicago. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to work their version of the subways. It's a good thing I will be staying with my friends Matt and Brian while over there and that I will have the whole weekend prior to the lab starting up to figure it out.
What I am getting excited for is the reading material we have been assigned. This years theme is "The Rehearsal", we have reading material from some of the master directors of our time, lucky us. It is always good to have a jumping off point when having big group discussions, I'm glad we will all be using the same vocabulary. First thoughts on the reading assignments coming soon, but first-laundry and lunch with my brother.
Here is one major problem-I know nothing about Chicago. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to work their version of the subways. It's a good thing I will be staying with my friends Matt and Brian while over there and that I will have the whole weekend prior to the lab starting up to figure it out.
What I am getting excited for is the reading material we have been assigned. This years theme is "The Rehearsal", we have reading material from some of the master directors of our time, lucky us. It is always good to have a jumping off point when having big group discussions, I'm glad we will all be using the same vocabulary. First thoughts on the reading assignments coming soon, but first-laundry and lunch with my brother.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Mme Bovary a workshop success
Madame Bovary had a great three night run in the adaptations workshops. I am pleased to say that I got a great response from the audience and my peers that have encouraged me to take the script to the next level and continue with the workshop. I couldnt be more excited. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the workshop. Production photos, by Nick Ronan, are up on the website right now. They are wonderful, check them out if you have a moment.
In other news, my final day at Drama League for the summer was yesterday. The office threw me a mini going away party with some cupcakes and well wishes for my summer. I'm spending this week finishing up some work in the mornings but really taking a little break before heading away for the summer. I have to say, it will be nice to spend some time in the city without having to be at work or rehearsal, this way I can jump into my summer of theater without being burnt out.
I will be posting more regularly as the summer picks up next week, until then enjoy the warm weather!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
