September 2009

1: I was the first to arrive for Indiana Repertory Theatre's Season Auditions, so I was seen about an hour and a half later.  After my two contrasting, the Associate Artistic Director asked how long the drive was.  I ran into Paul Wallace there, so we headed off to get lunch at a nearby Steak 'n Shake and catch up on things.
2: Watched Incredible Story Studios - Star Struck, which I think was a gift from April that I'd had for a while.  I sat through it and then gave it back to her.
4: Watched The Fountain with Justin & Peter.
6: I auditioned before my appointment for a short film (at that time titled The Truth About Lying) that was supposed to film in Wicker Park not long before I'd be moving north.  I read for the role of Eric 1, a sci-fi nerd; the director asked for something "different" on the 2nd read and liked the end of what I presented.
12: I participated in New World Arts' 24/7 Play Festival - that is to say, 7 short plays completely produced within 24 hours.  So I showed up around 9am and rehearsed most of the day for the 2 showings that night.  We were first in the lineup, which meant breathing easy after finishing and getting to truly enjoy all the other plays.  Our show was called Paging Dr. Love and had some great, comedic moments.
15: I auditioned for a couple musicals at Cardinal Stage Company - The Sound of Music & Little Shop of Horrors - which meant a little different selection of material than usual for me.  I was asked what other songs I had considered, what roles I was interested in and then to sing some of "Suddenly Seymour" (which I then wished I was little more familiar with).
20: Finished reading The Merchant of Venice.
21: On the way up to St. Paul, stopped in Chicago for my scene in (what was still titled then) The Truth About Lying.  I had been cast as Eric 2, a similar but slightly less vocal role.  But they paid a little more than they had said in the audition notice.  Lots of fun in the five-hour shoot.  I then hustled over to try to make Lookingglass Theatre's Season Auditions.  I arrived before the end time listed, but at first the Producing Artistic Director said they were done for the day.  But he relented and even gave me some time to collect myself (I had a rather harried time getting there during rush hour) before launching into the one monologue.  He asked who my character was talking to, suggested a new headshot and chronological resume, then asked where Riverside was and what was my most recent credit.
22: Intro to the full company of Othello and then the read-through.  The leads had already been rehearsing for a week or something, but it was the first day for most of us.  I started the day with 0 lines and had 1 by the end - a sailor delivering a message had not been previously assigned.  Yay!
23: Rehearsal for Othello.  I was barely on time, not being very familiar with parking in the area.  We blocked I.i-II.iii
26: Chris emailed me a draft of Fall of Gotham, which I read immediately and got back to him with the roles I preferred.
27: A few days off before the next rehearsal, where we blocked V.ii, blocked and added fight choreography to V.i and then worked on some odds & ends: II.ii-iii; how to portray a soldier in the period we have set the play in, salutes, etc.  Then an hour off to eat before running the whole show!
29: I had intended to crash Guthrie Theater's Season Generals (as I have crashed countless other Equity auditions in Chicago, and a few in New York).  So I arrived about an hour and half before they began, and not until a half-hour later was notified that no non-union actors would be seen, regardless if there were open slots.  I was able to leave a resume/headshot, and was told that the Associate Artistic Director and Artistic Administration Coordinator would be attending Othello.  Even with my bicycle having broken down en route, this left me plenty of time to get to Othello rehearsal, where we worked more on blocking I.i-II.i.
30: At rehearsal, worked on II.ii-iii.

August 2009

1: We continue Much Ado about Nothing the next night to another big crowd!
3: Auditioned for The Flowers for About Fact Theatre's XYZ Festival, after a couple hours wait.  The company had asked for a classical monologue to be prepared as well, but ended up just having me read half a side.  At least they laughed at my interpretation of the final line.  Later that night, attended the Season Auditions for Attic Playhouse.  I performed a monologue this time, and a few lines of another to demonstrate a British accent; they asked if I was attached to my beard.
6: The Human Race Theatre Company called me back to audition for a touring show, Lazzi-Faire.  An involved audition, with interspersed readings, improvisation and other movement work that called for quite a bit of research into the Commedia characters (for me, esp. Scaramouche and Arlecchino).  That evening, headed to Illinois to audition for Apple Tree Theatre's season.  The casting person wondered how many EMC points I have and whether I had thought about a new headshot; she thought I showed improvement from the Giver audition -- so, was evidently confusing me with someone else.  Then callbacks for Affections of May at Attic Playhouse, a large number of cold-reads, mostly for the Hank role (but Brian and Quinn as well), with a lot of redirections and at least one "nice adjustment".
8: Offered the role of Hank (see above), but I couldn't accept due to the extremely low pay, which had not been mentioned previous to the callbacks.
12: Dinner with Justin, Matt and Jon before catching Star Trek at the dollar theatre with the first two.
14: Only a couple hours wait to audition for First Folio Shakespeare Festival's season - which was mostly cast beyond a few roles in Twelfth Night.  The Executive Director chuckled just before a transitional moment in my David Hare monologue - to be honest, I'm not sure what was funny at that point, although I do like that this piece tends to elicit curious reactions.
16: Watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with Justin, Peter, Matthew and perhaps some more folks.
19: Another movie night, Gran Torino, with Justin, Peter, Liz, Allesha and Libby.
20: Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival invited me to attend the 10th Anniversary Season Gala, which included a buffet, cocktails and of course the production of Twelfth Night.  And then a VIP reception with the cast and crew after.  Charming!  I enjoyed the play and sitting with Maureen Gallagher; whom I hadn't seen much since we shared scenes in The Comedy of Errors in 2006.
22: Caught Public Enemies at the dollar theatre with Kyle.
26: Justin loaned me Constantine to watch, which was mostly a waste; I enjoyed the various versions of the deleted scenes more than most of the film proper.

July 2009

3: Swing Dance Party with various folk including hosts Brigid & Sarah.
5: First Much Ado about Nothing rehearsal - a read-through and discussion of the script and production.
6: The next day, went to a partial costume fitting for Much, although my pants were still to come.  Then rehearsal, mostly staging.
7: More staging at Much rehearsal.
9: Definitely finished my own re-reading of Much Ado about Nothing by this date.
11-13: More Much rehearsals, including the first day inside due to rain.  Staging until the last day, when we worked through part 1 (ending after III.2).
14: Up to Chicago to audition for Theater at the Center's Noises off.  I got there pretty early, and they started early, so I got in before appointments started.  The Artistic Director asked if I lived in Chicago.  I get that question a lot.  Then back to Indy for Much rehearsal, staging scenes in our part 2.
16: Worked through part 2.
17: Back to Chicago for Victory Gardens Theatre's season auditions; I arrived about an hour and a half before the next person, so of course did not have to wait overlong (after things started, that is).  The Associate Artistic Director asked if I lived in Chicago (see?); I tactfully replied that I wasn't sure exactly what I'd be doing after Much Ado.
18: Much rehearsal, working scenes.
19: Chicago again, via Oak Brook for auditions for First Folio Theatre's indoor season - no Shakespeare in the season or the audition.  Then a brief meeting/audition with a couple folks from LimeGreen Entertainment to be considered for their 48 Hour Film Project team (backup for me, since I am already on another team).  And more rain, so rehearsed Much indoors at Butler again.
20: Finished reading The Taming of the Shrew.  At Much rehearsal we did a stumble-through of part 1, then notes and scene work.
21-23: Much rehearsal the next night was a stumble-through of part 2, again followed by notes and scene work.  Next night worked III.3 and IV.2.  And then a stumble-through of the entire show (with notes of course).
25: The Chicago 48 Hour Film Project!  I ended up having a small role in one scene of a mockumentary called Inside America.  About four hours for shooting that scene.  We were temporarily awarded Best Use of Line of Dialogue, but since the film was turned in late we were actually ineligible for that award.
26: This night's rehearsal involved talking with the director about my character (Conrade); I also sat in for the Borachio actor's session.
27-28: Run-throughs with notes.
29: First rehearsal (run-through with notes again) at our venue, White River State Park.  (We're part of the park's Family Art Series and go under a couple titles/tags: Free Shows Where the Grass Grows; also Shakespeare on the Canal.)
30: Technical rehearsal for Much.  Microphones.
31: We open Much Ado about Nothing, to a big crowd!

May 2009

2: Auditioned at River Bend Film Festival for a vampire series called Dark Secrets, which involved a cold read for the main character as well as a prepared monologue; noting Quantum Leap: A Leap to Di for on my resume, the director asked if I knew Ed Ernstes (of course!).  Then over to Goshen for an audition for both a) an unnamed, supposedly soon-to-be-created summer stock theatre and b) a short film trilogy called Samuel - A Journey of Discovery.  For the latter, I did a cold read for the Messenger in part III; and for the former, two monologues (the director stopping each midway and asking for more emotion) and two songs.  I haven't heard anything since about the company.  And back to River Bend to audition for various films by Big Hat Cowboy Productions, cold reads with another actor of two roles in two shorts.
4: Short wait, thanks to an early start, for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's season auditions.  The artistic director wanted to know how long I had been in Chicago, didn't ask for a second monologue - and had not seen the production of Midsummer I had done in Cincy.
7: Star Trek Versus Batman was chosen by Fan Cinema Today as "A Top 5 Must-See Star Trek Fan Film".
9: Headed down to Noblesville for a table read of Shoki's Bag - read for Caper and Inquisitors 2 & 3 - with Gavin Rulon in the lead and lots of Indy folks I had acted with, or had been in projects with if not scenes, or knew by name.  Then chatted with various members of the team about editing, role-doubling, casting name actors, etc.  After lunch, hung around for a meeting of a team - a director and several writers - for the upcoming 48 Hour Film Project.
12: Longer, but not unreasonable, wait for Goodman Theatre's non-musical season auditions.  I felt like I really rocked my two monologues that day.
15: My callback at Boarshead for Death of a Salesman ended up actually being for the role of Biff, not Bernard.  Read a scene (from "Did you see the new football" to "This summer, heh?") with another actor as Willy.
16: To Rochester to audition for a feature, Goss Acres, and a web series, In the Box - the latter was to have ongoing single-day shoots (with different casts) through the year.  Did a monologue as well as a couple of cold reads.  One of the auditors requested an extra resume to consider me for a separate project, Leach.
17: Watched Seven Pounds with Justin, Pete, James & Matthew.
21: Waited most of the day for Indiana Repertory Theatre's season auditions.  I even let another auditioner cut as she had a rehearsal as an understudy for Rock and Roll at the Goodman, which cost me an additional half-hour.  This did give me time to finish reading Inherit the Wind.
23: Auditioned for several different indie film projects.  A feature, One Night (cold read of a scene as the lead); a DePaul MFA thesis feature The Waves, plus earlier project Crossing the Lake (a monologue and a chat, questions about Star Trek Versus Batman); a horror short Haunted (monologue and questions about my experience, comfort level with various things, etc.); and an untitled short/music video (monologue and talked about the plot).
24: Watched The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian with Pete, Sarah, Joe, Collin & Matthew.
27: Rehearsal of Haunted (read/discussed the script, rehearsed look/actions, discussed wardrobe)
28: I was the first in line for Timeline Theatre Company's season generals, so I didn't have to wait terribly long - a couple hours.  Spent some of that chatting with Andrew Redlawsk, and some finishing The Drawer Boy.  Then went to do my monologue and remind the artistic director that he had called me in previously to audition for The History Boys (after getting my name from another theatre; I had been on tour with NTC at the time of the audition and into the rehearsal period).
29: The next day, again saw Andrew, and Cristina Panfilio, while hoping to be seen at Actors Theatre of Louisville's Season auditions, and finishing reading Boom.  But I had to leave for a callback in Indy for several of Cardinal Stage Company's productions - Inherit the Wind, Boom & Drawer Boy.  I was being considered especially for Jules and Bertram Cates, read 1 side for Jules, 2 for Miles, 2 for Cates - the second repeated with a couple redirections.  While I was in town, stopped by an open call for a short called Sunday Morning, where I cold read a sides 3 times with various imprecise redirections.
30: Attended the season auditions for Meadow Brook Theatre; while waiting, saw Paul Riopelle, who suggested a Claudio-in-jail monologue from Measure for Measure would be a good audition piece for me.  After a couple monologues, the artistic administrator checked whether I had any conflicts and the managing director wondered whether I had a place to stay in the area.
31: A twelve-hour shoot day for Haunted, with the three person crew (including the director) and one other actor.

March 2009

2-6, 9-13, 16-20: Many performances of The Further Adventures of Louie the Lightning Bug.
20: Finished reading August: Osage County by Tracy Letts.  Fantastic!  After seeing it on Broadway, I'm glad that was a Christmas gift.
20-23: After the last shows, of course, we had to drive (from Ohio) back to Minneapolis, check in our car, set and gear and do some debriefing.  And thus completed our 8000-mile, 10-state tour, with 112 shows at 84 schools in IN, MI & OH.  Then, for me, it was off to L.A. for some visiting and . . .
27: The premeire of Quantum Leap: A Leap to Di for in North Hollywood at The Leap Back 2009 Quantum Leap Convention.  Even with small parts in this film (two for me and one for him), it was great for myself and Peter Gaffney to be able to attend a Hollywood premiere.  There were lots of Leap fans in attendance - I'm pretty sure this is the only Quantum Leap fan film - and they were not disappointed as we had Deborah Pratt to reprise her voice role as Ziggy.  Signed lots of autographs.
30: Finished reading Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh.
31: Among the sites I visited while in California was the Walt Disney Concert Hall/Music Center/Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County.  While checking out the venue, I listened to an audio tour narrated by John Lithgow.

February 2009

2-6: More performances of The Further Adventures of Louie the Lightning Bug.
4: After a morning show, off to Chicago to do a whirlwind of graduate school auditions.  Each was similar in a way, 3 minutes of 2 contrasting monologues (classical/contemporary) (I used the same two pieces to fulfill this); and then a short interview.  Fortunately got in to the first - The Cleveland Play House/Case Western Reserve University - early, so I wasn't as rushed for the next appointment, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, which also had me sing a few bars a capella.  While waiting for the third, National Theatre Conservatory, I remet a woman who had also been at the Hilberry audition.  It turns out she is the Casting Director for Festival 56, so I asked if I could audition for her as well.  So we found a quiet hallway and I did my package.  She then asked for another contemporary piece and asked me to present it conversationally.  After my song, she complemented my voice, saying I was a crooner ala Sinatra.  Then finished up the night with Old Globe/University of San Diego.
5: The next evening, auditioned for Notre Dame Shakespeare Festval's Twelfth Night.  [Actually, it's in my notes as "auditions/callbacks" - not sure if I recall why.  Perhaps a callback for students, plus others, such as myself, for the first time?]
8: NTC allowed us the time (Monday off) and mileage to drive down to Memphis for UPTA.  My slot was late afternoon Sunday, so callbacks stretched into the evening.  Started off with Hampstead Stage Company - I had not realized that my college friend Meagan worked for them, and would be in the room for the callback.  Next up, Tecumseh!-Outdoor Drama.  The artistic director, who of course remembered me from last year, had me present a different piece than my package, and filmed that.  Rolled on to Poetry Alive!, where I did some cold reads, then CLIMB Theatre, where they filmed some improvisation.  Both long contracts.  I asked to interview with Theater at Monmouth, since I'd had some previous contact with them.  After seeing a different Shakespeare piece, the artistic director said he didn't think I was the right type for Laertes, which was the only non-intern, non-Eqity role he was looking to cast.  But he said I should follow-up later if I thought I really did want to do another internship.  I decided not to go to a callback for Missoula Children's Theatre, based on previous interactions with them, and dropped off a resume/headshot with Texas Shakespeare Festival.  Then went and hung out at the bar for the rest of the night with NTC and Hampstead folks (and everyone else).
10-13: Even more performances of The Further Adventures ...
14: We traveled up to Madison to visit with another NTC troupe and attend the Wisconsin Theatre Auditions.  Odd format, as they have a separate appointment included (for those who desire) for American Players Theatre, which preceded (at least for me) the group audition.  Then they have two different rooms/groups for non-singing and singing actors.  I ended up performing five different pieces, with only one overlapping, to maximize the different situations.  It worked out well, except that the accompanist played way too fast, and I got another callback from each room; Great River Shakespeare Festival, although I think they do their main auditions in the summer a year prior; and Prairie Fire Children's Theatre, which just asked for my resume/headshot.
17-20, 23-27: And yet more performances of The Further Adventures ...
28: We were in or near Indianapolis, so I took the opportunity to attend a casting call there for an indie feature, Bloomington.  After my audition, I noticed they were pretty short-handed, so I offered to assist, signing people in and leading them into the audition room, etc. for the next couple hours.

January 2009

6: Drove to audition for Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' The Merry Wives of Windsor.  The artistic director asked how I had heard of the company, and where I was from, then said it was worth the trip.  I got down there early enough to lunch with Mary Woll beforehand.
10-16: Rehearsals for The Further Adventures of Louie the Lightning Bug at The National Theatre for Children, with Vanessa Miller.  Vanessa ended up with laryngitis by the end of the week, so we left town without a school preview, though this was after we got to share a run with the company (and see everyone else's varied takes on same and similar (and one different) shows).
14: Earlier, I left the company picnic midway to catch buses over to St. Paul and audition for Park Square's Othello.  The director/artistic director asked about my favorite Shakespeare experience and also the locations of Riverside & Bridgework.
20-23, 26-30: Many performances of The Further Adventures ... at many schools.  We spent some time near South Bend, so I was able to work on graduate school applications as well as a few other things.
22: Brigid & her kindergarten class saw the show when we were at her school in Elkhart.  That night was the 20th Annual Notre Dame Student Film Festival, which included the premiere of Prologue, one of whose directors bought my ticket.  First time seeing the completed film.  Also enjoyed seeing another short by the creators of Through the Window, and one by Joe Gleason with several folks I know.  Mary Claire, two Lauras, Jeremy, and a bunch others were also in attendance.
23: My parents, younger sisters, and my niece Abby (16 months) saw another local performance of The Further Adventures ...  Abby seemed to pay attention well for her age.  Of course, she had already seen one of my Bridgework shows nine months earlier, didn't cry or fuss then either.
29: Being in the area also meant I was able to usher for an Actors from the London Stage production of Much Ado about Nothing at Notre Dame.  I like the format (five actors, no director, little cutting, minimal props/costume) of their shows.
31: I attended the first graduate school audition, for Hilberry Repertory Theatre/Wayne State University.  The panel found my resume "impressive" and interviewed me regarding what I want out of the program.  I did well enough to be invited to the callbacks not a half hour later, which included a lot of snippets of instruction/play in movement, voice, rhythm and improvisation, then a cold read from Waiting for Godot.

December 2008

3: Had another voiceover & ADR session for Prologue.  That evening watched The Dark Knight at the dollar theatre with Daniel.  Still awesome!
4: Long day.  Crashed Utah Shakespearean Festival's auditions and finally seen after a long wait.  Union members got to present contrasting monologues, but only one for non-Equity.  I finished reading Scapino (zany!) before my next audition, an appointment this time, for Remy Bumppo.  The notices said that one monologue should "show skill with language".  The director appreciated my choice for that, said Plenty was a favorite play.  And then back that night to complete the Back to the Future trilogy, with Sheila, Liz, Justin, Dan, the Sarah's & Jon.
6: I had car trouble, and was running behind all day.  Auditioned for Crossroads Repertory Theatre, and had to tell them I was unavailable for dance or acting callbacks the next day.  And then barely in time to be a blackjack dealer for a corporate charity event.  Weird gig, pushy guests, really wanted to win the meaningless chips.
7: I had submitted my materials before crashing Illinois Shakespeare Festival's Equity auditions, and subsequently received an appointment for this non-Equity date.  They taped this one.
11: Watched The Day the Earth Stood Still and ate cookies with Sarah, Daniel, Allesha, Justin, Dan & Jon.  [I think this was the classic b/w version, not the recent remake.  But eventually I saw both, so this could be either.]
15: Finished reading House of Blue Leaves.  Bells on!
17: An audition for a nearby college's radio spot at a local ad agency.
18: I attended a screening for the Intermediate Film Production class, and the professor noted and thanked those of us who were in multiple shorts (4 for me).
19: I had a voice audition for a re-dubbing of a cartoon.  They didn't say what it was, but from context it must have been Numberjacks, an English educational show.  No appointments and the producer was late.  That night watched my high school's production of Twelfth Night.  My friend Tom Noe (text coach) stepped in for someone who couldn't perform (ill?).
20: Went to Justin's family's cabin on Crooked Lake, did some tobogganing, ate lots of food and watched Home Alone with the family, Jon, Ricky and others
21: Drove down to Indianapolis to work the strike/load-out for Actors Theatre of Indiana's A Year with Frog and Toad.  They weren't paying much more than the expense, but I got them to throw in a comp for the show too.  Kyra Jeanne Kenyon, who was in The Selfish Giant with me a few years back, played a Bird and Turtle and did an excellent job.  The whole show was fun, and I met a few people during the strike that I had only known online previously.

Surprise! jaw's edge of a dangerous game, thanks for the picture-window title.

[These dates are from 2008 - sorry for the negligence!]
1 October: Auditioned for Cardinal Stage Company's Treasure Island & Santaland Diaries, which was mostly prepared readings from sides. They seemed to like my outlook on Snowball, and walked me through some imaginiative work on one of the two Jim Hawkins' sides. I guess they're going much older for the pirates, etc.
2 October: Auditioned for FTP Pictures' For Travis Preston, a short 'dramedy'. Cold read for a lead (Cory) and one other mystery role.
Then ushered and watched Pasquerila East Music Company's Edges, a song-cycle lightly-reminiscent of JRB.
4 October: Filmed a couple scenes (9b, 11) of TOW with fellow cast Adam Newell, Christopher Hunt and Michelle Shea Walker - I found out about 9b upon arrival; it was written the previous night. Brilliantly-sunny, apropros for the scene despite the actual temperature. A nice lunch afterwards.
5 October: Readthrough of Out the Window [later retitled Through the Window], and then they took some photos for use within the film.
7 October: Audition for an untitled feature, including cold reads both from the script (the lead, Tad) and a side from Jaws, reinterpreted per a different character description.
10 October: Filmed half of Window. Did I mention I'm starring with a SAG actress (on student hiatus), Lucy Lavely?
11 October: A meeting/readthrough for Prologue [for an ND Advanced Film Production class], then they had me record two takes of the v.o. which runs throughout the film.
That night, watched The Express again, with Kyle, Beka and Marcus. Marcus apparently missed the whole point of our going, at one point, excited and/or incredulous "What? Daniel's in this movie?!", before they all saw my moment of Hollywood fame. Kyle wondered how anyone could miss me 'mugging' up there . . .
14 October: Busy day. First, started filming a then-untitled b/w 'noir' [later: Thanks, I Owe You One] ; then, finished up on Window. Then a meeting about a stage production of The Passion of St. Marcellus for the feast day, and finally another about Prologue, checking out possible costumes and discussing scheduling and several alternate endings.
15-16 October: More filming, eventaully finished Thanks.
16 October: Watched Ironman with Jon, Justin, Dan and Kyle (I think).
20, 25, 27-29 October: Rehearsals for Marcellus, myself in the title role.
24 October: Another v.o. session for Prologue.
30 October: Two performance of Marcellus, one for a school and the public one - part of the anti-war events that day sponsored by The Center for Peace & Nonviolence of St. Joseph County.
Also filmed a scene (2) for Prologue, involving some interesting camera movement and as many extras (mostly other students from the class) as could be wrangled.

informal, heavy puppet express fu

8 September: After the previous late night filming, made my way (via Dayton and visiting my brother and his family) down to Charlotte for the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) fall professional auditions. As usual, the space is quite dry, so that coupled with being in the first group of the morning may have kept my audition from excelling. Still felt pretty good.
I had several callbacks. Jefferson Performing Arts Society asked for my headshot/resume. Then I had another with The National Theatre for Children, whom I have seen before at an UPTA and another time as well (maybe two UPTAs?). Pat remembered me right off and I jumped into some cold reads and a bit of improv. We interview a bit after that, and turns out we had added some more people in common acquaintance. Next was an informal callback with Harold Clurman Laboratory Theatre Company (new professional wing of Stella Adler Studio of Acting). They hadn't cemented their season yet, so just expressed interest in my talent as they could gauge from one short monologue! Johnny had worked with Bridgework a while ago, so we talked about that some, and he also encouraged me to look into their Studio also and forward along any questions.

9 September: On the way home (again with a rest in Dayton), stopped in Indianapolis for a reading of TOW with a portion of the cast/crew. Some heavy hitters among them, at least for Indiana.

10-11 September: A few final rehearsals of Complete Works - a lot of improvements had continued in my absence.

12-14, 16, 18-21 September: Run of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) to mostly enthusiastic crowds. Due to my duties (calls, running a few props, puppeting the Ghost), I couldn't see most of the show, but every night I could watch the Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet-interactive scenes, which were the highlights for me anyway, so that worked out well.

17 September: Got a chance to catch a sneak peek of The Express in Chicago, although they overbooked and I, even leaving right after work, was not near enough to the front of the line. I ended up explaining that I had traveled to be there, had worked on the film and would really appreciate getting in, and a few of the nice ladies from Davis Entertainment found a way to make it happen. They got me into an alternate screening with the Boys & Girls Clubs, which was an experience in itself. Dennis Quaid (flight-delayed) finally came in and gave a stump before they rolled.
The film was better than I had expected; the editing, which was not exactly to my general tastes, worked well for this story, although it did make it difficult to look for myself in the background. Finally saw myself near the climax of the film, laughed out loud at the characterization I had effected in that few seconds (and probably a bit from anticipated surprise as well).

27 September: Saw Kung Fu Panda with Kyle at the dollar theatre. Funnier than I had expected from the previews, which I think were misleading; still sachirine and a falsely-deep 'philosophical' bent.

close complete, leap pineapple, ribald fortune

10-11 August: Final performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Felt good, even as it was bittersweet, to see one of the new actors mouthing lines in the audience, to meet another replacer for one brief night before we left the house, to ride over with a new intern getting started on this show, at this theatre and on her path.
We then struck Barefoot in the Park. Odd closure to dismantle a set never-used, to stow our own equipment for additional performances.
I like a lot of the traditions this theatre has, too, for opening, closings and so on.

14, 18-22 August: Over a brew at the local pub, discussed some problems (health and otherwise) the Civic Theatre's production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) has been having, and agreed to join, for an indeterminate period, the ongoing rehearsals. So I have been holding book, taking stage managery-type notes and offering assistant directory-type suggestions and commentary. They have discussed the possibility of me serving as stage crew as well, although I have some conflicts during tech week (and have been auditioning for additional possible conflicts).

15 August: Traveled along with a friend for his scene (6) in Quantum Leap: A Leap to Di for and ended up helping out as a cord wrangler and general p.a. Great energy among the cast and crew!

16 August: Watched Pineapple Express with Kyle. Not knowing much of what to expect from the film, I was reassured by Kyle's assertion that he doesn't really see bad movies (although we had previously watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls). Turned out to be hilarious, unobtrusively-formulaic and slightly subversive, although having a few tone wrinkles. Some good performances by some actors I don't know or hadn't thought about much.

20 August: Auditioned for Lookingglass Theatre's 2008-2009 Season, which includes The Brothers Karamazov (an adaptation of one of my favorite books), Our Town and Arabian Nights. The producing artistic director then asked me some questions and had me redo my monologue, bearing more presently in mind the line that encapsulated my objective. Nice to be able to receive some feedback and take direction at an audition!

23 August: Auditioned for The Sapphire Theatre Company's Lysistrata, the premier production of a new theatre in Indianapolis. This involved, in addition to the monologue, telling a joke. So, of course, I told my favorite, the stupid pirate joke. It was also fun to hear some of the other auditionees jokes, a wide range of joke-style among only a few samples - and all bearing in mind, at least somewhat, the tone/subject matter/concept/bent of the play. I was only able to read an old, somewhat stilted (but in other places quite amusing) translation (Jack Lindsay) of this work by Aristophanes, while the production in question is from an adaptation by the theatre's founders.
I ran into some cohorts there, Nikki (a lead in A Leap to Di for) as well as Lynne (director of all four Bridgework shows), Matt and Emma (her husband and precocious daughter), and then had an amusing lunch with that last three.
Then auditioned for Tow (Grillbust Productions), a murder-mystery feature. This one was a cold read, with which I didn't think I did anything too spectacular, but the auditors appeared to be appreciative. Not sure I'd really like to play the character for which I read, but I will be considered for other roles based on the read.

A Midsummer Night's Dream!

9 August: Penultimate performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. We are so good! Despite the fact that we haven't needed it for some time, I am going to miss even running-lines-in-the-car-on-the-way-to-the-show with this cast.

quick gulch blog dream-sequence

28 July: Auditioned, prepared reads both, for The Overwhelming (Next Theatre Company) and 10 Cent Night (Chicago Dramatists), both new plays. The first was with another actor, the second alone, but each without any direction - one take. Quick!

30 July: Watched a bunch of youtube with Dave Rader, including Season 1 of Red vs. Blue: The Blood Gulch Chronicles. Still funny.

2 August: Watched Act Three Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog, thanks to a tip from Aiea Sauer that these were still available online. Quite a different feel from the other Acts, enjoyable but distinct. I still like the first part, specifically the laundromat song, the best.

3 August: Performed our antepenultimate A Midsummer Night's Dream. First time we've had our standard mics in a while (after not having electricity, using the library's, not needing them (or perhaps there was some problem with the board temporarily)). The crowd energy was a little muted, but it proved to be another solid show.

4 August: Watched Before the Devil Knows You're Dead with John. Superb acting! Unrelenting film that took me to unexpected places; interesting out-of-sequence story (with a few moments repeated in different context) that provided some interesting discoveries and also a few unneeded confusions.

citizen, knight, families

22 July: Forgot to note, John, Sam and I watched Starship Troopers. Interesting film, not really 'good' in the terms I generally use for films, but raised some good questions and had fun with itself. It was, I think - I could be wrong here - almost exactly what it intended to be, which can be difficult to attain.

26 July: Went to see The Dark Knight with John, Audrey and Liz. Wow! Rare to see a film with this combination of writing and acting talent, and that delivers on that potential. Also some good effects. The sound mix was a little off - it didn't help that we were in the back row (crowded theatre!) - so some dialogue was overpowered by the score, which was distracting. But, as the film will likely bear rewatching to appreciate nuances, this distraction should not be a major disappointment. I looked for but did not catch my friend Scott Ganyo in his background role. (Scott played the dark knight opposite my boy wonder in Star Trek Versus Batman.)

27 July: A return to outside performances with A Midsummer Night's Dream, to one of our biggest audiences, which was also vocally appreciative of some unique moments. They seemed to enjoy some purely textual points that we hadn't noticed much response to previously. There were also a fair amount of all ages, including a family that had attempted, as part of a birthday celebration, attending an earlier, rained-out performance. Great energy, even minus our tour manager.

Dime-folio library, Batman!

22 July: Read 10 Cent Night by Marisa Wegrzyn in anticipation of an audition for Chicago Dramatists. Funny, dark script; especially liked Roby's-handcuffed-to-the-chair scene.
Auditioned for First Folio Shakespeare Festival; they asked when I did Riverside, chuckled at the Big Love monologue and liked my socks.

23 July: Performed A Midsummer Night's Dream indoors, on a library stage. Different, much easier, but a small space so unique challenges.

24: July: Watched Batman: Gotham Knight. Not exactly my style, but that and conversations with various people this week have me really excited for The Dark Knight, whenever I get around to seeing that.

Bare, sweating the window of lokeli.

July 18: Watched Barefoot in the Park's opening night. I really enjoyed this, much funnier than reading the play was. Justin -- who has preceded me at several theatres along my career, as well as sharing a few other tangentials -- was brilliant, great to see him shine on stage as opposed to just around the house. Sherman was also convincing and amusing - the whole cast, actually, did well.

July 19: After our longest hiatus in the schedule, we had a satisfying return to performing A Midssummer Night's Dream. Although, it was hot! Great audience, lumpy uneven ground as our stage, only the slightest hitches in our delivery. I'm really happy with this cast.

July 20: Watched Act Two of Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog - not quite as funny as the first installment. And I didn't realize that these were only free for a limited window, so I missed Act Three.

July 21: Finished reading The Overwhelming by J. T. Rogers, in anticipation/as part of decision to audition for the role of Geoffrey in a production of it at Next Theatre in Evanston. Powerful, tangled, but in some ways simple and direct.