Hi All,
So my internship has officially come to a close and I am so sorry to see it end. I have never had such a wonderful and memorable summer. I've been fortunate to be a part of so many great experiences and I have met such wonderful people in my short time here.
For my last night here, I am sitting in a rehearsal for a new musical entitled Rocket Science (recent winner of the Richard Rogers Award). I was fortunate enough to actually take part in the casting process about two weeks and I can't tell you what an interesting and awesome experience that was. It was so cool to experience the other side of auditions for once. It was really eye opening to see the process behind a professional audition, and the biggest thing I think I learned was to not to take it personally if I do not get cast. And wow! What great talent there is in LA. I only wish I could see the entire process all the way through the performance!
So since I last posted, I have continued to take classes at The Groundlings as well as I finished up a comedy sketch writing class I was taking in West Hollywood and today I had my last boxing class at my local gym. (Creepers beware!) I can't tell you what amazing friends I have made because of these classes. And each week my friends and I go to two or three comedy shows at The Groundlings as we get tickets very cheap because we are students. Last night I went with a friend to a UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) comedy show, which I must say I wasn't impressed. I much perfer The Groundlings style (think SNL). However I think it's only fair to give UCB another shot when I return to LA.
So as my internship comes to a close, my thoughts go ahead to next summer. I've been invited to return to LA and work with the Festival (which I would love!) and on Thursday I also went into The Groundlings office and talked about the possibility of an internship with them, so we'll see what happens. =) Either way, I can't wait to return to L.A. and all of the traffic that goes along with it! (I survived Carmageddon! haha)
But even with all of the fun I've had this summer, I am so excited to get back to ISU! I can't wait to see you all and get back into some ISU theatre! I'll be seeing you all soon! =)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
TITP
A fun story to give a giggle to go with our fun show.
Last night we were forced to call off our show due to a huge storm in the area. We only made it through the opening number before we had to make the announcement and clear everyone out of the park. Our executive producer had a friend in the audience with his five year old son who was SO excited, just beside himself, to see the Cat in the Hat. He settled in near the front with his blankie and his Cat in the Hat stuffed toy just doe-eyed for the show. He saw about seven minutes of the show and we made the announcement to clear the park. His dad was so sad he had to tell this little boy they were leaving and he wouldn't see the rest of the show. "Come on son we have to leave now." he said. And the little boy replied, "Thanks, Dad, that was best show I've ever seen!"
Ah, children and theatre....
Also, we have just announced our upcoming season: Sweeney Todd, Sweet Charity, A Disney Double Feature of Cinderella and Jungle Book (yes that's two shows every night for two weeks!), Urinetown, and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown
This is a big change in our theatre considering we usually only do family friendly "PG"ish shows...and we usually only do four. I love our new executive producer and what he's doing for us... but I have to be honest, that's some scary changes! We just want to know if we get paid more! ; )
Last night we were forced to call off our show due to a huge storm in the area. We only made it through the opening number before we had to make the announcement and clear everyone out of the park. Our executive producer had a friend in the audience with his five year old son who was SO excited, just beside himself, to see the Cat in the Hat. He settled in near the front with his blankie and his Cat in the Hat stuffed toy just doe-eyed for the show. He saw about seven minutes of the show and we made the announcement to clear the park. His dad was so sad he had to tell this little boy they were leaving and he wouldn't see the rest of the show. "Come on son we have to leave now." he said. And the little boy replied, "Thanks, Dad, that was best show I've ever seen!"
Ah, children and theatre....
Also, we have just announced our upcoming season: Sweeney Todd, Sweet Charity, A Disney Double Feature of Cinderella and Jungle Book (yes that's two shows every night for two weeks!), Urinetown, and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown
This is a big change in our theatre considering we usually only do family friendly "PG"ish shows...and we usually only do four. I love our new executive producer and what he's doing for us... but I have to be honest, that's some scary changes! We just want to know if we get paid more! ; )
4th of July weekend
During the weekend of the 4th of July, I went down to help Mallory finish up the rest of the set. We worked specifically on props, or what I called, very technically, the "hanging on things," which were basically parts of the set made out of poster board. I created two mirrors, a fireplace, a radio, a sign, two broken windows, and two stained glass windows. Again, I must express my admiration for designers. Personally, although I did some research as to what certain things looked like, I more or less just dove in and started drawing. It was interesting drawing on the poster board as well, since I was drawing on the floor in her living room, practically dancing around the pieces in order to finish lines or add some decoration to certain parts. After drawing out what I wanted, we painted them the next day. I must say, despite my belief that I have very little skill in actually drawing/painting/etc, I was very proud of my rose stained glass window and of my fireplace. They may not have been perfect, but they looked like they should, with the fire looking a bit more like actual fire than I had thought it would. After finishing painting and such, we loaded everything together and made sure we had made everything we could before going to Orlando.
From doing the construction and much of the designing of what the set would look like, I have learned a few things. First of all, I have learned that I do have some artistic talent, so I will stop saying that I do not have any. It is not my area of concentration, but I enjoyed experimenting and working on something new that I am not completely comfortable with and getting to learn how much work it actually takes to create a cohesive design. Second of all, I have most certainly learned a respect for set painters and art designers. They make their jobs look easy and now I know how much it truly takes to make it look as simple as it really is not.
From doing the construction and much of the designing of what the set would look like, I have learned a few things. First of all, I have learned that I do have some artistic talent, so I will stop saying that I do not have any. It is not my area of concentration, but I enjoyed experimenting and working on something new that I am not completely comfortable with and getting to learn how much work it actually takes to create a cohesive design. Second of all, I have most certainly learned a respect for set painters and art designers. They make their jobs look easy and now I know how much it truly takes to make it look as simple as it really is not.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
PRT past week and a half update
Hola mis amigos. Como estas?
So it's been a little over a week since I have talked to you last and I'd like to go through a couple things and what has happened for me.
Starting off where I left off last time, we went to Apple River and camped for a night. Apple River consists of tying inner tubes together and floating for 3 hours, really fun, rocks hurt. It was so hot and humid that I literally sweated for a good two days straight. Hey, at least I'm keeping hydrated! That was on Monday, Tuesday we headed to Minneapolis and hit up the Mall of America where we shopped for a couple hours. Here the best thing happened to me. I was going to the bathroom (I know, but this is why it's the best thing) and in my stall I noticed an entertainment type of newspaper talking about movies and shows and what not. I was reading through it and saw that there was a production of Waiting For Godot that was being performed that weekend in an abandoned theater, unfortunately I couldn't go. Anyway on the back was an ad that said "God of Carnage now performing at the Guthrie" so me and Tamara (Ms. Tamara White accompanied me on my trip :) ) went and got rush tickets for God of Carnage at 730 in the Guthrie proscenium stage. And let me tell you that it was really really good. The set was great, acting was good, and all in all very funny. After the show we met up with an old friend of Tamara's and had a few drinks (I didn't because I was driving) and hit the road and got home at 4 am...
Wednesday came and it was our last performance of Arsenic and Old Lace, kind of bitter sweet. We had a really good house for that night and things were going really well. However, we have a company member who decided to change up the ending a bit (he's a principle character mind you) and "come back to life" after I have supposedly knocked him out. This little event was not known by the 3 of us characters onstage at the moment and when that happened what do I do? I instinctively tackle him back to the ground and hit him in the head one more time. not even thinking, it was pretty sweet, love being in the moment. We played it off like we knew what we were doing but behind the scenes I was not a happy camper. Our patrons pay to see the same show every night and when things like this happens, well, it's just not professional. So strike for the AOL came after and that came down quickly as well for being a big set. After we were done loading the U haul with AOL we started building Crazy for You. So the biggest problem I have had with this company is that the majority of members will sit there and talk and complain rather than work. We all knew it was going to be a long night, but it doesn't help when some of the people just stand there and complain how they aren't going to get to bed til 4am. There were 2 units that I guarantee wouldn't have gotten done if I hadn't started on them. And people wonder why I get frustrated. Anyway we got CFY damn near complete when we decided to head back to Brookings. There we had to then unpack AOL from the truck. We didn't get done till 330am that morning and we had rehearsal for CFY at 11am. Love rep!
So we had a pick up rehearsal on Thursday which went well and then a performance that night. You could tell that it was dragging and we were lacking energy because we had only 5 hours of sleep and then a rehearsal which should be counted as a performance with how hard we went. I personally stayed to get things done with the set and then performance. *phew* Busy, busy.
Just a side note, it's really hard to perform two different shows back to back in two days. Well, not necessarily hard but it's exhausting. Two different characters in two days as well. But it was fun nonetheless. and this actually added up to 8 straight performances for audiences. My endurance has grown so much in that sense. Crazy for You's run went really well and I'm glad that I'm finally done with performing for the summer. Now I can just relax. Another note, the actor who changed the ending for AOL is also in the ensemble for CFY, and he is the type of person not to care if he's in the ensemble. Decided to instead of actively listen and help tell the story, decides to come up with new bits and one liners ever night to make people laugh, however, that pulls focus and messes up timing with the others onstage who are actually trying to put on the show that was directed. I have to write a paper at the end of the summer and so I'll put it up and that'll have more details.
Other than the little things I really am still having a good time here, unfortunately I only have a week left. I'm going to miss everyone here. The major things I have learned are that I'm patient, hard working, can put on multiple shows in days, my people skills are still good, and I have learned not to put up with dumb people, if I have a choice. Along with my shop skills and tap skills I think this whole experience was great and I learned a lot I wouldn't have if I would have stayed home and done a community theater show or something. I don't regret anything that I have done this summer and can't wait to get back and show everyone what I have learned about myself and theatre.
So it's been a little over a week since I have talked to you last and I'd like to go through a couple things and what has happened for me.
Starting off where I left off last time, we went to Apple River and camped for a night. Apple River consists of tying inner tubes together and floating for 3 hours, really fun, rocks hurt. It was so hot and humid that I literally sweated for a good two days straight. Hey, at least I'm keeping hydrated! That was on Monday, Tuesday we headed to Minneapolis and hit up the Mall of America where we shopped for a couple hours. Here the best thing happened to me. I was going to the bathroom (I know, but this is why it's the best thing) and in my stall I noticed an entertainment type of newspaper talking about movies and shows and what not. I was reading through it and saw that there was a production of Waiting For Godot that was being performed that weekend in an abandoned theater, unfortunately I couldn't go. Anyway on the back was an ad that said "God of Carnage now performing at the Guthrie" so me and Tamara (Ms. Tamara White accompanied me on my trip :) ) went and got rush tickets for God of Carnage at 730 in the Guthrie proscenium stage. And let me tell you that it was really really good. The set was great, acting was good, and all in all very funny. After the show we met up with an old friend of Tamara's and had a few drinks (I didn't because I was driving) and hit the road and got home at 4 am...
Wednesday came and it was our last performance of Arsenic and Old Lace, kind of bitter sweet. We had a really good house for that night and things were going really well. However, we have a company member who decided to change up the ending a bit (he's a principle character mind you) and "come back to life" after I have supposedly knocked him out. This little event was not known by the 3 of us characters onstage at the moment and when that happened what do I do? I instinctively tackle him back to the ground and hit him in the head one more time. not even thinking, it was pretty sweet, love being in the moment. We played it off like we knew what we were doing but behind the scenes I was not a happy camper. Our patrons pay to see the same show every night and when things like this happens, well, it's just not professional. So strike for the AOL came after and that came down quickly as well for being a big set. After we were done loading the U haul with AOL we started building Crazy for You. So the biggest problem I have had with this company is that the majority of members will sit there and talk and complain rather than work. We all knew it was going to be a long night, but it doesn't help when some of the people just stand there and complain how they aren't going to get to bed til 4am. There were 2 units that I guarantee wouldn't have gotten done if I hadn't started on them. And people wonder why I get frustrated. Anyway we got CFY damn near complete when we decided to head back to Brookings. There we had to then unpack AOL from the truck. We didn't get done till 330am that morning and we had rehearsal for CFY at 11am. Love rep!
So we had a pick up rehearsal on Thursday which went well and then a performance that night. You could tell that it was dragging and we were lacking energy because we had only 5 hours of sleep and then a rehearsal which should be counted as a performance with how hard we went. I personally stayed to get things done with the set and then performance. *phew* Busy, busy.
Just a side note, it's really hard to perform two different shows back to back in two days. Well, not necessarily hard but it's exhausting. Two different characters in two days as well. But it was fun nonetheless. and this actually added up to 8 straight performances for audiences. My endurance has grown so much in that sense. Crazy for You's run went really well and I'm glad that I'm finally done with performing for the summer. Now I can just relax. Another note, the actor who changed the ending for AOL is also in the ensemble for CFY, and he is the type of person not to care if he's in the ensemble. Decided to instead of actively listen and help tell the story, decides to come up with new bits and one liners ever night to make people laugh, however, that pulls focus and messes up timing with the others onstage who are actually trying to put on the show that was directed. I have to write a paper at the end of the summer and so I'll put it up and that'll have more details.
Other than the little things I really am still having a good time here, unfortunately I only have a week left. I'm going to miss everyone here. The major things I have learned are that I'm patient, hard working, can put on multiple shows in days, my people skills are still good, and I have learned not to put up with dumb people, if I have a choice. Along with my shop skills and tap skills I think this whole experience was great and I learned a lot I wouldn't have if I would have stayed home and done a community theater show or something. I don't regret anything that I have done this summer and can't wait to get back and show everyone what I have learned about myself and theatre.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sweating out Toxins
Expect the unexpected in Prestonsburg. I ended up doing landscaping today for a set.
For The legend of Jenny Wiley there is no backdrop, there is no cyc, no curtains. But wooded mountains, we have that. They needed an entrance upstage center, so we carved steps into the clay of the mountain and paved it with other stone from another.
For The legend of Jenny Wiley there is no backdrop, there is no cyc, no curtains. But wooded mountains, we have that. They needed an entrance upstage center, so we carved steps into the clay of the mountain and paved it with other stone from another.
They light the forest for the show, and I get to hid inside a Styrofoam rock. I gave it an Indian name "Big Log in Stone" because that is what it is.
I might have a good job next summer, if I choose to come back. We're talking mega promotion. To the yeah.
Curtainbox Theatre Co, Ninth Post
Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve posted. The office is a brick oven when it’s super hot out, so Kim decided to cancel class on the 18th for the students’ safety. This week it finally cooled down a little, so we had class on Monday. After doing a few warm-ups, including sound ball which the students are getting really good at, we read through two of the final scenes, including the scene for the pair I was working with last week. It was really fun to see the students perform, even though it was only a cold reading. It was apparent that the students had internalized many things that we had taught them, such as articulation and projecting. This is particularly notable, as autistic individuals in general have a strong tendency to mumble or stutter. One student in particular often can only rapidly repeat the first syllable of what he is trying to say. Fortunately, this can be dealt with by counting down from three to the student. I don’t know specifically why this works, but I’d guess that it has something to do with the fact that autistic children take everything literally (sarcasm, for example does not register with them), and the student would not understand that the countdown at its core has no power or meaning.
Kathleen
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Finally a Strike
We finished Annie. I got to rip stuff apart. I made me feel good from all my pent up frustrations at the lack of leade-...skil-...motiva-...well anything from the ATD we have here. So I've all but officially stepped into that role. Which means, I have a lot of influence, but no authority. A lot of responsibility, but not much pay. So goes it.
We all dug the set for The Legend of Jenny Wiley out of like 3 different storage facilities. Watched the designer run of that today, its surprisingly well written for a locally written historical drama.
Its a crazy puzzle, but its working out far better than I hoped for. The rocks are beautifully carved foam, and a true testament to the guys of the summer of 2009 who had to rebuild the whole set.
We were supposed to do some paint tonight. but it rained. Bummer...not.
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