tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25121382229940108942024-03-18T20:17:10.675-07:00ECHO THEATRENews and ViewsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-28824448765439666352016-05-04T11:36:00.000-07:002016-05-04T11:36:46.812-07:00JONNO at the 2016 Winnipeg FringeExciting news for Echo Theatre! We are extremely pleased to bring Alix Sobler's new play <strong><em>JONNO</em></strong> to The Winnipeg Fringe Festival. <br />
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Subscribe to the website for upcoming events surrounding this very funny and controversial exploration of narcissism, entitlement culture, and consent.<br />
<a href="http://www.echotheatre.net/" target="_blank">www.echotheatre.net</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-12748714116814672542016-02-09T20:38:00.005-08:002016-02-09T20:39:05.510-08:00A STRANGE PAIR <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLMIzrY9HuVL_Z3Il2B_kLXCUJHN91RM4LPFSw0GotH2YPrC6OJOKWfvi6rcnr-4_ZMiecXGh5rKBBxg1PO5dboKwJ-ONU-AhmwlGpQh2ZSwKXZJ0qrEVSCdiHN9XbPt4OibfKUFO-tk/s1600/A+Strange+Pair+-+Charlene+Van+Buekenhout+and+Kevin+Klassen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLMIzrY9HuVL_Z3Il2B_kLXCUJHN91RM4LPFSw0GotH2YPrC6OJOKWfvi6rcnr-4_ZMiecXGh5rKBBxg1PO5dboKwJ-ONU-AhmwlGpQh2ZSwKXZJ0qrEVSCdiHN9XbPt4OibfKUFO-tk/s320/A+Strange+Pair+-+Charlene+Van+Buekenhout+and+Kevin+Klassen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We are having a blast! Audiences are singing and laughing along and soon (very soon) it'll all be over.<br />
Check out these reviews: <a href="http://www.communitynewscommons.org/culture/a-forum-for-farces/" target="_blank">communitynewscommons</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://winnipegreview.com/2016/02/the-perfect-ayckbourn-appetizer/" target="_blank">winnipegreview</a><br />
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Book tickets online at <a href="http://astrangepair.brownpapertickets.com/" target="_blank">astrangepair.brownpapertickets.com</a><br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasaUQQZHWHqebIa8UKIMzJ6ykVGNE5Mgly5f4AWdC1ILw7v7ttXtX51H5SzDELO2M1JJn0sz7KV_k4RxmdTbenbas2TEjI5USbUF_xl0boUjGBrTXjBnnumjyE_7afHbQgARGABGoccw/s1600/A+Strange+Pair+Kevin+Klassen%252C+Stefanie+Wiens%252C+Charlene+Van+Buekenhout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasaUQQZHWHqebIa8UKIMzJ6ykVGNE5Mgly5f4AWdC1ILw7v7ttXtX51H5SzDELO2M1JJn0sz7KV_k4RxmdTbenbas2TEjI5USbUF_xl0boUjGBrTXjBnnumjyE_7afHbQgARGABGoccw/s320/A+Strange+Pair+Kevin+Klassen%252C+Stefanie+Wiens%252C+Charlene+Van+Buekenhout.jpg" width="213" /></a>Or go call 204-995-6876, email <a href="mailto:echoboxoffice@gmail.com">echoboxoffice</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">@gmail.com</a> or go to the echotheatre.net <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-41640071163270965392016-01-03T18:43:00.000-08:002016-01-03T18:45:01.213-08:00A Strange Pair<a href="http://www.echotheatre.net/#!playing/c9a0" target="_blank">A Strange Pair</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45lbqL-KmGynkJEbvEFcp6bfdk168R2VIgjcS6XCixTUyIaNda10J_oDTo_3rgt_nLLxkMpQEDi-5axqpTKJFQuazEpfZg-aPbTlrdj5pMYoq00bQpiD_1-Bh1mp9bZ6YP4BSQXAIVOk/s1600/Echo+Theatre_Ayckbournfest_square_High+Res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45lbqL-KmGynkJEbvEFcp6bfdk168R2VIgjcS6XCixTUyIaNda10J_oDTo_3rgt_nLLxkMpQEDi-5axqpTKJFQuazEpfZg-aPbTlrdj5pMYoq00bQpiD_1-Bh1mp9bZ6YP4BSQXAIVOk/s320/Echo+Theatre_Ayckbournfest_square_High+Res.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This February (2016!) <br />
There are 2 sittings per night, (4 on Matinees).<br />
Due to a small house size and short plays, we want to give you some bang for your buck!<br />
SO...We've got comedy, drama, a chase scene, music, dancing and...there are two chances each night to see the show! Whether you come for the 7:30pm or the 8pm show, you will see it all, just in a different order. <br />
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Here is the teaser:<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
cooperation with the Dalnavert Museum, Echo Theatre brings you yet another
exciting evening of dramatics and musical interludes featuring two short plays:
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Countdown & A Cut in the Rates.</i> Sit
in the parlour as a married couple has tea! Hear their innermost thoughts! Be
astounded by the Ratings Officer come to collect! Follow her, trembling, as you
discover what's in the cellar! Be cheered and delighted by nightly musical
entertainment between 8:00-8:30!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the
company who brought you such Master Playwright Festival hits as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blithe Spirit, The Skriker, Jumpers!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">$20 evening performances (all the bells and whistles)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">$15 matinees (play only, no extras!)</span></em></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-4961605294997926732015-11-18T12:30:00.001-08:002015-11-18T12:30:02.801-08:0066 (Old) Movie Dance Scenes Mashup (Mark Ronson-Uptown Funk ft.Bruno Mars)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M1F0lBnsnkE" width="459"></iframe><br />
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I had to post this because I love tap dancing so much and this makes me sooooo happy. Look at those Tap-thletes go!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-42370408949781369982015-11-07T09:28:00.001-08:002015-11-07T09:28:46.375-08:00New Website!Check it out!<br />
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<a href="http://www.echotheatre.net/">www.echotheatre.net</a> <br />
<br />
It is very new, and not all of the play info is up, but it will be...eventually!<br />
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<a href="http://i.giphy.com/zfYpmAfrcVOAE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.giphy.com/zfYpmAfrcVOAE.gif" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-66331739960295713532015-09-03T17:04:00.000-07:002015-09-03T17:04:19.861-07:002015/2016 SeasonFast approaching are some opportunities to have some theatre fun with Echo Theatre.<br />
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STAY TUNED for AYCKBOURNFEST February 2016<br />
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Expanded Theatrical Experiment DR. KELLOGG'S SYSTEM 2016<br />
<br />
FRINGE 2016!!!<br />
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So stay on the line!<br />
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We'll be with you in a moment :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-58561217288022264112014-11-22T13:50:00.001-08:002015-01-19T07:53:23.059-08:00Blithe Spirit January 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj838jqYHVxnoHKJxOmDeX9b9D98VhW6ZoxT3UX6YSYAUU6MZqrZHXgM1bHCBCzCMEI__sUt6YuT6ZpwOQ2tdkeUYkZ7deNHlkIbj0kNoc3Qs9SVV7gu_EbHYYGf2v5rfF6NBqXqiTO6_0/s1600/blithe1+(2).jpg" height="200" width="200" /><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Echo Theatre presents </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Blithe Spirit for Cowardfest 2015</span></b></div>
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"I've always believed in cutting my losses. That's why I died." – Elvira</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Directed by Ross McMillan</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Featuring Terri Cherniack, Sarah Constible, Trish Cooper, Simon Miron, Steven Ratzlaff, Charlene Van Buekenhout, Stefanie Wiens</span></div>
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Gathering material for a new novel, Charles
Condomine organizes a séance. Mystic Mme. Arcati, along with Charles'
wife Ruth and their friends the Bradmans, settle in for an evening of
skepticism and paranormal activity. Unbeknownst to everyone but Charles,
the séance is a success and Elvira, his first wife, is back in his
life: a ghost who's not going anywhere anytime soon!</div>
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Nestled
in the parlour at Ralph Connor House, guests will enjoy drinks and
music with jazz singer Helen White and songs by the playwright himself.
Do not miss this uniquely intimate evening of Coward's finest comedy!</div>
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WHEN CAN YOU SEE IT? Check these dates out:</div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302932" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Saturday January 24 7:30pm SOLD OUT</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302933" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Sunday January 25 3:00pm SOLD OUT</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302934" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday January 27 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302935" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Wednesday January 28 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302936" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Thursday January 29 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302937" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Friday January 30 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302938" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Saturday January 31 3:00pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302939" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Saturday January 31 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302940" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Sunday February 1 3:00pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302941" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday February 3 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302942" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Wednesday February 4 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302943" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Thursday February 5 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302944" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Friday February 6 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302945" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Saturday February 7 3:00pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302946" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Saturday February 7 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302947" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Sunday February 8 3:00pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302948" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Monday February 9 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302949" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday February 10 7:30pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302950" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Thursday February 12 7:30pm</span></span></div>
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1362302951" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Friday February 13 7:30pm</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://m.bpt.me/event/981247" target="_blank">Buy Tickets</a><br />
<br />
Reservation and Information at <a href="mailto:Charlene.echotheatre@gmail.com">Charlene.echotheatre@gmail.com</a><br />
Phone# 204-995-6876Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-48221426031990359532014-04-09T19:19:00.002-07:002014-04-09T19:27:07.497-07:00Dr. Kellogg's System Opens May 3rd & 4th 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXbDzQVog6w9vrKxSVqSyIfucQK6jbBX7CYzIZincYIM6tsaCU2it0HqLACtnkXhhCqMf5qK_4pY_KOVjUsgcuZXxWFH2_T83V17FWNppY_TL0ZosiXjD36_YMDwvinV9tUDt47LE6ug/s1600/GARDENS+(3).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXbDzQVog6w9vrKxSVqSyIfucQK6jbBX7CYzIZincYIM6tsaCU2it0HqLACtnkXhhCqMf5qK_4pY_KOVjUsgcuZXxWFH2_T83V17FWNppY_TL0ZosiXjD36_YMDwvinV9tUDt47LE6ug/s1600/GARDENS+(3).png" height="640" width="451" /></a></div>
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We NEED your help with our experiment. </div>
<br />
<b>May 3rd (b/w 7-9pm) &</b> <b>4th (b/w 3-5pm)</b><br />
We'd like you to show up at the Ralph Connor House (54 West Gate)<br />
<br />
At anytime,<br />
between those times,<br />
to watch the show.<br />
<br />
The show will run on repeat.<br />
If you stay for an hour, you will have seen an entire show from the perspective of the scenes you saw. If you stay for longer, you can check out the scenes you didn't see. Get it?<br />
<br />
The play runs throughout the house with scenes that happen at the same time, in different rooms. Your quest? Find the play! Head towards the voices, follow an actor, come in or leave a scene in the middle to check something else out. It's up to you.<br />
<br />
We have have never done this before, and we want to see if this sort of loose, choose your own adventure format will work. <br />
<br />
If you want to come, send me an email (or just show up), but I'd love to know if you are coming, because the more bodies there are and the more staggered your start times, the more it can help us in this crazy experiment.<br />
<br />
charlene.echotheatre@gmail.com <br />
<br />
Remember, suggested donation is just a suggestion if you can afford to pay less (or more), go for it!<br />
<br />
AFTER THE SHOW, SEND ME YOUR FEEDBACK, OR MAKE A LUNCH DATE WITH ME, AND TELL ME WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE WAS! THAT'S HOW I WILL KNOW IF IT WORKED!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-75488750878142223172014-03-26T11:31:00.002-07:002014-03-26T11:31:51.381-07:00Open HouseWhoa, what day is it? It's the day I actually write a blog after a *cough* year *cough* since the last one...oh I've written since then, but they were unpublishable! And I've been busy: I went to France to shoot a movie, I got married!!! I was in a big ol' show at MTC and helped put a Cherry Orchard in front of Winnipeg audiences. Quit my day job and got an acting gig. All stuff to write home about, but who had the time? Not me obviously. I don't even have it now, but since I am staring at the computer anyway, trying to finish this damned play:
<b>DR.KELLOGG'S SYSTEM</b> at the Ralph Connor House May 3rd & 4th 2014.
I thought I'd drop a line.
Here it is: <b>Open House for Dr. Kellogg's System an experimental work of theatrical experiment. No start time, no end time. Drop in, stay awhile, the show is yours to experience!</b>
Intrigued? Come and help me figure out if this type of framing convention will even work! Feedback required!
Let me know if you want to come by emailing
charlene.echotheatre@gmail.com
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-77887185059769031922013-02-05T15:04:00.000-08:002013-02-05T15:04:44.531-08:00 Chekhovfest 2014As promised:<br />
<br />
RMTC's 2014 Masterplaywright is none other than <b>Anton Chekhov.</b><br />
<br />
Hooray<b> </b>for us (little ECHO & TBTR) since we already decided to produce The Cherry Orchard.<b></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We couldn't resist moving our show into the festival after learning who the playwright was, and so we will be presenting ...<br />
<br />
<b>The Cherry Orchard</b><br />
at the <b>Frame Art Gallery </b><br />
<b>January 22nd - February 9th, 2014</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-19806325509597137032013-01-10T09:07:00.003-08:002013-01-10T09:07:55.828-08:00Actors on Acting<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Actors, why did you get into acting?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Was it to play yourself in different situations?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Or was it to play different characters in their situations?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'd like to hear what draws you to this art form, as there are differing opinions about actors and the roles they ought and want to play. There is a school of thought that the person you are is who you can play. I call this stereotyping and I am against this. I think that the person you are should never limit the roles you play. An actor is trained at being empathetic and open to a myriad of situations and types of people, and it is their talent and job to relate this combination to the audience. To be clear: The actor does not have to already <b>be</b> the character in real life to best portray the role. (Actually, perspective often creates a more 3 dimensional and emotionally layered character. It's more difficult to do this when you are playing a role similar to yourself, although a good actor can do this.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'd like to tell a story about my theatre school days. Our class had a project assigned to us. It was to create/ write our own monologue based on a painting (U of W students may know what I'm talking about. Ye olde "Painting Project" it was called). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had decided that I wanted to write a dramatic piece that was really emotional because it was something I hadn't done before and I wanted to challenge myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The piece ended up being about France during the war and a daughter losing her father. (I also had a secret desire to cry in the piece, as I had never done that before, and I wondered if I had it in me to get there emotionally blah blah). SO at the end of the piece the girl finally lets herself feel the pain of losing her father and I broke down and it totally worked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the end of project / grading interviews where the Prof. and student discuss the work and the reason the grade was given I had a strange experience. I received an A on my project and we discussed the material and why I chose the painting etc. At the point in the interview that we discussed the "tears" moment, the following exchange occurred (to the best of my memory it went something like this):</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Prof: It must have been very difficult, with your father gone, to go to that place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Prof: Your father dying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: My father is still alive. I was acting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That is approximately what I remember happening. I also remember being a little confused and hurt that the Prof. thought I would put my reality on the stage for a school project. I was in an acting class. I was practicing acting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It didn't take me long to find the whole thing very funny, and interpret the experience as an example of the power an actor has to transform themselves and commit to the reality of the moment in order to transport the audience into the world of the piece. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This brings me to my final point. I truly believe you do not have to be the type of person to do the things your character would do. You do have to be an actor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, Actors, What do you think?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Please note: I don't believe crying onstage equals good acting. It can be a result of good acting, and can be great. But a
lot of people (actors and non-actors) can cry on demand without emotional investment, so one does not equal the other. I happen to think that sometimes it is more moving to watch someone try NOT to cry than to watch the waterworks. In the words of the great Winnipeg actor Doreen Brownstone "If you (the actor) cry, they (the audience) won't.")</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-41100292352581318402013-01-08T09:08:00.002-08:002013-01-08T09:11:27.744-08:00It's a scary scary scary SCARY musical world<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Thought of the day: As we settle into January (and it's new weather format) I have a few things to say on the subject of fear. Apart from some obvious uses of fear in our world, in our country (most recently the Harper government attempting to cast a shadow on the Idle No More movement and discredit Chief Spence by releasing that Attawapiskat audit early is out of, you guessed it, FEAR!), and closer to home, personally I feel fear plays an enormous part in a person's creative self.</div>
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Since I was very little I wanted to be a performer. It scared me half to death, but something inside of me (and sometimes my mom, outside of me) pushed me onto that stage for fear that, if I didn't I would never be happy and always regretful. Actually this did happen one time, I was supposed to recite a poem for a festival and I let my fear take over. I made my mom take me home before we even made it through the door, and I never want to feel that feeling again. I could feel it coming from my mom too, I think she was disappointed or at least frustrated with my stubbornness, but I was really paralyzed with fear. </div>
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Since then, I continue to believe that if something that is interesting to me scares me that much, its probably worth doing, if only to alleviate the energy that piles up when being anxious about it. Since then I have continued pointing my career aspirations towards that scary wooded area that isn't lit. Which brings me to the present moment. I find myself in Sondheim's <i>Into The Woods,</i> a musical with District Theatre Collective. </div>
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The key word in this is "musical". I don't do musicals.</div>
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I've done a lot of things that have been scary for me. Aerial dancing, clowning, producing theatre, etc...</div>
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AND... </div>
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I love singing, I sing all the time at home, I have done little songs in shows I've produced (mostly silly, joky, simple stuff), but I don't do musicals. </div>
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To better clarify the point of this, I have stopped auditioning for musicals and have adopted a "no musical" policy in my auditioning circuits because it never goes well. In fact, it usually turns out awful. All of my audition nerves live inside my throat and show themselves when attempting to sing, for people, who might give me a job. I have voice training FOR SPEAKING, and music training FOR INSTRUMENTS, but I DO NOT have singing training.</div>
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Isn't this just perfect? Somehow the universe has thrown me into this scary thing in order to face my fears.As the musical director of the show said, when I decided I couldn't sing "that high" and that the show director told me I could just speak these lyrics, "I think you're just scared". YES! Nailed it! I was/am just scared. It doesn't make me a better singer to admit that. But, what it did do was fuel my desire to not let fear take over. I am practicing my little bits of singing every day and am getting better at hitting the notes. By no means will I be an amazing singer (like the singers in the show, GO SEE <i>INTO THE WOODS</i> IN SONDHEIM FEST!) , but at least I won't have to live with the feeling that fear won. It's only fear because I haven't experienced it yet.</div>
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Now all I have to do is sing, for people, who have paid money to see the show. GULP!</div>
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(Please check out all of the talented people involved in Sondheimfest this year.) </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-31610000520174517062012-12-12T12:46:00.004-08:002012-12-12T12:46:36.116-08:00Life is FULL of CHERRIES!!!ANNOUNCEMENT:<br />
Little ECHO Theatre in a theatrical partnership with Theatre By The River will be presenting Anton Chekhov's <i><b>The Cherry Orchard</b></i> sometime in the future, somewhere, and somehow. In any case, <i>it will occur. </i><br />
For more info about TBTR head to:<br />
<a href="http://www.theatrebytheriver.com/home.html" target="_blank">http://www.theatrebytheriver.com/home.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-35869255668010572252012-07-23T10:41:00.000-07:002012-07-23T10:44:00.074-07:004 stars for Lulu<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I maintain that it deserves 5, but I guess the acoustics of the venue, of which we have no control (although I did hang some blankets at the back of the room) prevent our full star potential.</div>
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/scene/fringe/2012/07/lulu-a-monster-tragedy.html" target="_blank">http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/scene/fringe/2012/07/lulu-a-monster-tragedy.html</a><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Anyway, <b>here is the CBC review by a very well informed reviewer who knows his theatrical stuff</b>. It's an actual review of the production and not just an acoustic complaint like some other "reviewers" (if you can call some that, since they don't review theatre for the entire year, yet we are to accept their opinions as authority. Oh Fringe, where is thy sting?). Bitterness? No! If I, as a theatre artist, am to be open to criticism of my art, then so should they, as theatre reviewers, be open to criticism of their art. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-34133454481526662452012-07-16T07:03:00.002-07:002012-07-16T07:03:57.350-07:00Lulu's promo video - a taste of what's to come!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyfy6GsRH4osdMt-Z-juOX5JZHMgBBsp2Cw5scF-YBuQNTSquTks_LdjC6sT3tuN5-kaveGxDMQDIRHx9Bg-A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-33282542475813651352012-07-13T14:43:00.002-07:002012-07-13T14:43:23.924-07:00We have AIR CONDITIONING<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We now have an air conditioner in our venue. Please tell everyone and anyone who might not come to a show with no a/c that they have nothing to worry about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's a big room and a small a/c but it won't be as hot as outside, and it won't be cold. So you don't have to pack a sweater to see the Lulu or Lungs shows in Venue 25. You just have to come, sit, and drink in the talent. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-48755140751177826092012-07-11T10:49:00.003-07:002012-07-13T14:39:49.699-07:00How much?<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Every once in a while I am astonished that more people don't know what it costs to put on a show. Not just a show, but a fringe show because there is a price cap and the ticket amount does not reflect expenses. Personally, I don't keep it a secret, and I don't think it should be.</div>
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So here is a breakdown of Lulu so far: ( $ are rounded for aesthetic purposes )</div>
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Fringe BYOV cost : $675</div>
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Venue rental: $1000</div>
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Rehearsal space: $475</div>
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Copyrights: $600</div>
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Actor Equity insurance (if you use professional actors in the fringe you have to pay insurance, in case we get hurt) : $290</div>
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Costumes: $100 (so far, we've done alot of borrowing, but some things had to be built and bought)</div>
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Set: $45 (so far. we've got a beautiful venue and did some borrowing so didn't need to purchase much for sets)</div>
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Posters and Handbills: $100 (I haven't printed the posters yet so am just going to round out the number to $50, it might be more. 800 handbills cost me $50) </div>
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Lighting , sound, and chairs are all borrowed so we dodged a bullet there too!</div>
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Running Total = $3285</div>
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Please note this does not include any paycheques for the actors, director or stage manager :-(</div>
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This is where the audience comes in!</div>
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Let's average the ticket price at $9 (regular 10, 8 matinee and 2 for 10 on opening) </div>
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If 35 people come for every show I will have covered our costs. If more people come after that, I'll be able to pay everyone for their excellent work. </div>
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Can we do it?</div>
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Smoky The Fringe Dancing Bear says:</div>
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Only YOU can prevent unpaid Theatre artists!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-64481295597780737192012-07-11T10:25:00.001-07:002012-07-11T10:51:07.688-07:00Last minute<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Remember when I said I was prepared? Well, it turns out I'm in the same place as I always am as the Fringe quickly approaches. The panicked state when you realize you open next week.</div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
It's the last minute life style and things are coming together, albeit a bit later than I'd hoped. </div>
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Someone asked me this week</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
"how are you feeling about things?"</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I think as promoters we are to say</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
"great! hope you'll come see it!"</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
But as honesty always trumps my forethought or common sense in situations like these I said</div>
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"We are in that scary place where you don't know if the show is going to come together"</div>
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<br /></div>
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I quickly ammended my comment with:</div>
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<br /></div>
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"of course it always does"</div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
and it does. But every year, every show you get to feel that little bit of fear. Keeps you on your toes, as they say.</div>
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HOPE YOU'LL COME SEE IT!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-1170906392833349132012-06-01T13:53:00.001-07:002012-06-01T13:53:08.201-07:00Lulu's Venue, Show Times & Ticket Prices!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
July </div>
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Wed 18 6:30pm * 2 for $10 *</div>
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Thur 19 6:30pm</div>
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Fri 20 8:30pm</div>
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Sat 21 6:30pm</div>
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Sun 22 1:30pm</div>
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Tue 24 6:30pm </div>
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Wed 25 6:30pm</div>
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Thur 26 8:30pm</div>
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Fri 27 6:30pm</div>
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Sat 28 8:30pm</div>
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Sun 29 1:30pm</div>
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Regular $10</div>
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Matinee $8</div>
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Venue 25</div>
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72 Princess - 3rd Floor (Absurd Machine Studios)</div>
<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=72+princess+winnipeg&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=72+Princess+St,+Winnipeg,+Division+No.+11,+Manitoba+R3B+1K2&gl=ca&t=m&z=16" target="_blank">https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=72+princess+winnipeg&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=72+Princess+St,+Winnipeg,+Division+No.+11,+Manitoba+R3B+1K2&gl=ca&t=m&z=16</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-82645541306804057402012-06-01T13:43:00.000-07:002012-06-01T13:43:16.581-07:00Most Unusually Prepared<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The rehearsal space is paid for, cast is confirmed, the handbills are designed, printed and circulating...in a most unusual turn of events, I am on the other side of fringe prep hell. Not sure what this bodes</span>,<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> but it should feel good, right? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It feels weird.</span> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> This has never happened to me. Usually I'm sitting in someone's office (who has photo-shop) trying to desperately to insert, cut, and paste a poster together (while teaching myself photo-shop, because I am the only one in the arts community who has no idea how to use it) so it can be printed and ready to go for the weekend before fringe opening</span>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I feel like I'm forgetting something...maybe a huge oversight will rear it's fangs and I'll be off running the fringe race against time again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Yet To do list:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-Costumes (find and borrow)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-Props (find and borrow)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-Set (find and borrow)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-Blood prep & rehearsal (make blood, test for effect)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-*Have a read through of the play with cast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">-*Rehearse play for best results </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">*Super important</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So all I've really done so far is a little advanced marketing...phew, there are tons of things for me to do before the show. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-43165979961752047732012-05-07T15:17:00.001-07:002012-05-07T15:20:52.460-07:00Actually, I'm a lawyer. Fries with that?<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The continuing joys of being asked what I do for a living. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"I'm an actor." "I'm a theatre artist." "I'm a playwright</span>."<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm finding it gets more embarrassing the longer I stay at my day job. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know, it's a day job. Every actor has at some point had, or still do have jobs they go back to when they aren't working (acting). I've been at my current day job not quite a year yet, and I've made work for myself this year so that I feel like a theatre artist, or at least feel like I can keep telling people that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Warning: it gets pretty cynical from here on in. it's the mood I'm in today. And yes, I am at my day job right now, but it's a slow day.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In what other vocation is this a thing? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sure, going through the education system future lawyers, doctors, business administrators, accountants, estheticians, scientists etc. work other jobs to support themselves until they become what they set out to become. OK, this is barring any layoffs, firings, or job loss. I just have yet to see someone in a career that society values as necessary to our way of life- enough to pay for it's existence- out there serving up cocktails and appetizers on a patio in the summer, or pouring coffee for all the folks with "real" jobs or, doing what I do outside of my "real" profession, answering phones as a receptionist as a way to supplement income not derived from the chosen profession. As an actor, the supplemental part of my income is most of the pie, making it harder and harder to convince people "no really, I'm an actor!" when the bank statements and the t-4s show otherwise.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It will never stop being like that. At this time in Canada, with all the funding cuts to the arts, the growing number and combination of artistic disciplines, and the continuous stream of emerging and established artists the pot of soup supposed to feed everyone (which is not big to begin with) now holds a thin broth enough to keep the arts alive but not enough to nourish. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Imagine if this wasn't the case. Imagine if one could just be an actor or a theatre artist and live. ahhhh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In Winnipeg this is not an option. Unless you have some sort of supernatural hold on a character type that will continuously get you work, or if you make your own work. As you probably have noted, I make my own work and this is one way by which I can still call myself an actor (that and telling people I have an audition coming up).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One might ask "If you make your own work, you can always be working. It is up to you." I hate that. Why? because of funding of course. Even if I am an expert grant writer (not that I am, but I've written alot of them) it depends on a jury of one's peers to decide what one's fate will be. Yes I can always be working on something, but on my own time and I will still have to work at a job that I did not go to school to learn how to do. I certainly didn't go to school to cultivate a hobby. I have no interest in theatre as a hobby. I would never suggest that of anyone's profession, that they should do it as a hobby, on the side. How insulting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since we don't value the arts as much as we should given that if there were not an arts and cultural industry unemployment would be through the roof and the economy would tank, (wait, in our current economical climate and state of arts funding, does one thing have something to do with the other? Hmm?) I don't think we'll be seeing the day that my day job is in my chosen field any day soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ok, I've had my rant. Back to work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-54255148648887356062012-04-25T14:07:00.000-07:002012-04-25T14:53:31.337-07:00Producer vs Actor: Who Am I?<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Little Echo Theatre is prepping our show for the 2012 Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Program copy is written up and edited, photo shoot for graphic and poster design has come and gone, most of the cast is confirmed. Gee, looks like we're on our way. Did I forget anything? Something important? Rehearsing the play perhaps?</div>
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Sometimes producing a play I intend to perform in, which tends to by why I am producing the play in the first place, is a difficult thing to balance. Often performing the role is the last thing on my mind and usually gets shoved to the back burner until I'm standing in front of the director being asked actor questions like "why do you think you're doing that?", and, "can you face down stage when you say that?". At this point a strange thing happens in my brain. A little person in my head puts her hand on a switch and is staring me down, wondering if I'm going to stop her from flipping that producer switch off so the actor light can shine. This is a precarious situation. I've got practicalities and box office numbers, costume decisions and rehearsal schedules floating around, bumping into each other in the semi-darkness making it very hard to even see the play as a play, the role as a role, and me as the actor. </div>
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In the end, when finally that little person in the mind is successful in turning that producer switch off, it is a rewarding experience to have accomplished so much. Playing Actor and Producer roles earns more space in the pride and accomplishment room of the heart, but it would be a nice break, a vacation you might say, to have someone else do those things, and I can just be an actor.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-35532942408751270652012-04-02T14:17:00.002-07:002012-04-02T14:19:52.876-07:00A Hate on for Arts and Culture<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
While I was washing my dishes Sunday afternoon listening to CBC radio, Rex Murphy's Cross Country Check-up came on. Normally I'm not a big fan of this show because it allows anyone with an opinion to blast it over the airwaves no matter how idiotic and misinformed it is. Sometimes the opinion is informed and I am proud that there are intelligent thoughtful people out there. This particular day, this Sunday, the topic put up for discussion was the federal budget. People from all over Canada called in to Rex to air their grievances over old age security, tax cuts, and of course, everyone's favourite, arts funding. More importantly, why hasn't the government cut arts and culture funding altogether? One such person had the seemingly oblivious gall to call this program on the CBC and state that the only thing we don't need is Arts & Culture. This man said that he worked in a bar making $50/hour, has a wife and two children and it'll be a cold day in hell the day he spends his weekends paying to go to a, wait for it, Museum. Just any museum I presume. I think he hates all of them, whether he knows what a museum is, it obviously doesn't matter. You know what else he hates? Education. He told Rex Murphy that he will "teach" is daughter to be self-educated, and when she decides what she wants to do with her life then she can go to a post-secondary institution and pay for it. Being self-educated and a young person in the world, I wonder if her world is made up of anything besides arts and cultre. I hope she wants to be an artist. Wouldn't that be perfect.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-64401486778922656012012-03-16T13:38:00.003-07:002012-03-16T13:38:28.732-07:00Compartmentalise!!! & Talking in Specifics about Theatre<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few words on talking about Theatre:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The actors didn't write the play or come up with the character (in most traditional plays). If you didn't like the character, it doesn't mean the actor didn't do a good job. Maybe they were really good at being unlikeable. Same goes for likeable characters. Just because you think the character was a good person and you liked the journey, doesn't mean the actor was amazing. That just means you enjoyed the playwright's intent for that character and the story arc.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, it's always wonderful when the actor is good and the play is good and the words and actions are married together to a satisfying end, regardless of whether it's a tragedy or comedy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After overhearing people discussing recent plays, I have to say that there are a number of people missing the option to compartmentalise when talking about a show. To those people I say: Try it, it stretches out the conversation and you can talk about the play for hours and days and....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512138222994010894.post-26386240119884165572012-03-09T15:19:00.001-08:002012-03-28T09:52:39.936-07:00Theatre Season's GreetingsRMTC announced their 2012/2013 season today. Highlights (for me): Gone With The Wind, because it is not the musical that flopped in the West End several years ago. Penelopiad (Margaret Atwood), because I love the mythology and I heard Steven Schipper during the WFP Cafe interview say that there will be "11 great Winnipeg Actresses" in it. I hope to be one. Hey, at this point, there is still hope, we just heard the announcement, and I haven't spoken to anyone who might have more inside information, i.e re: cast. <br />
And the carnival thingy...cyclone...dead teens...roller coasters...sounds up my nightmare alley.<br />
Oh, there are a bunch of other plays that sound either good , or I have no clue yet what to feel about them. You'll have to check the website to peruse the titles. If you get a chance to watch the WFP video of the Steven Schipper and Niki Landau (adapted GWTW) interview, stay 'til the end as you'll find out one of the best reasons to go to the theatre as put by Steven, and Niki's surprise at his comment is pretty good too.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05023388660632177032noreply@blogger.com0