Link.
If there were something carved on it or some secret, 400-year-old parchment compartment buried deep in side it that contained a document stating who actually wrote his works–or better yet–the missing 60 other plays that he wrote–I might be a bit more excited about this find.
Still, it is a bit of theatre news, and since I am an avid fan of the Bard, I’m obliged to make mention…
Today was my day for a rare Sunday morning audition. The good thing is that for this audition, I actually had a complete set of sides and was able to see some possibilities of what they might be looking for and how I might possibly fit into this gig. Not only that, but I actually was able to read with another actor who was auditioning as well. For me, anyway, that has been a rarity indeed. Rather than just reading with the casting director, or reading directly into the camera (which I need much more experience with), I was able to play off of someone.
I also didn’t get lost in Nashville this time!
Oh yeah, the audition was for Kim Petrosky Casting again (my second one for her in less than a month).
So, I went out for a regional car insurance commercial today. Not much to it, you know. Stand up say your line, take some direction on camera and “next”. Pretty standard stuff.
I learned my lesson to not place all of my trust in MapQuest today. I was driving through downtown Nashville (a place with which I am only vaguely familiar) trying to get my directions off my PDA while trying to dodge the dudes who decided that today was the best day to fill in the smallest of potholes on I-40. Traffic would just suddenly come to a crushing standstill.
Anyway, I made it to my audition on time and not too flustered. Everything went fine, but I just had to share the lesson learned today. Don’t completely trust MapQuest…just like the disclaimer says. Use those as a basis, but try to get some better directions from someone else to help you along.
Oh yeah, I also need to get some new headshots. I had some made last year, but they are just not right for the Nashville market. Commercial shots here are starting to trend toward color, not-quite-three-quarter type things. It goes against every bit of theatrical training I’ve had about getting headshots, but if you can’t trust your agent’s advice in this business, who’s can you trust, right? I’m just glad they are tax-deductible.
Hmmm…taxes and the working actor…might be a good subject for another post around tax time…
It’s very to-the-point. Since I’m beginning to dabble with my own writings nowadays (both short stories and scripts), it really brought things into a clear focus. Give it a read and let’s talk about it.
Not only that, but I just got through teaching Ira Levin’s Deathtrap to my Theatre Appreciation classes!!! I don’t think the circumstances of that play warrant one of his top reasons!
Hi all:
First time blogger, John, here. I’m a teaching cohort of Tee and went to school with Ross. Until I get a handle on this whole “blogging” thing, I will follow Strunk & White’s age old axiom of “omitting needless words”. So here it goes…
I am currently a member of a professional Improv troupe in Nashville called Ideaprov. The troupe is basing its improv on the Chicago style ala Second City, etc. We are currently working on a hybrid format show entitled How We First Met . I say hybrid because it blends short form (traditional theatre games) with a touch of long form (The Harold). The show was created by Jill Bourque…to give credit where credit is due. It is a fascinating theatre piece because we interview couples and then re-create their story thru improvised scenes and songs.
My question is this: Is Improv or more specifically long-form Improv…Theatre? To my mind, I would say yes; however, there seems to be a strong aversion to equating Improv with Theatre. I was wondering why that would be. Improv has definitely been a viable part of Theatre for a long time. Commedia Del Arte as an example. It is a very important teaching tool for actors, I use it in my classes a lot. Long-form stresses listening & responding, playing off your impulses and strong character development. These are all good qualities to have as an actor, right?
So where’s the beef? Why is it that Improv cannot be “real” Theatre? A phrase I have heard uttered by many of the puritans of the stage. The Italians performed it…ah, but they used stock characters, masks, and enacted known scenarios. Yet there are improv artists like Jill Bourque who are working out of a formated context, so I don’t know if that argument can hold water.
The proof is in the pudding (to keep running with food metaphors). When Improv is done well it has high artistic merit and when it is bad it is just plain bad. But those of us that have done Working will know that Theatre can also be bad.
So what are your thoughts? Can Improv reach a level of respect that Theatre has? Is it a viable art form or just condemned to the confines of the acting studio?
’til next time,
John
Sorry it’s been awhile since I’ve posted, but it’s been a pretty busy week. Ross and I are working on a project that I hope to be able to tell you about in the coming months. It’s a pretty big deal and we are still very much in the planning stages, but if it works out, it should be some very good news indeed.
Other than that, I’ve been working my butt off at the University. The cool thing is that I’ve got some good students in my acting class this semester. They seem to be ready to work and eager to learn this craft. I hope to have some good news and revelations about them as we barrel our way toward May.
In other news, John Mauldin is going to be joining our ranks here as a some time collaborator and contributor. So, be on the lookout for news from him. He works quite a bit in Nashville and has a show opening soon. I’ll let him pass on the details about it. His bio and headshot should be up soon.
John and I are going to be presenting a couple of workshops at this year’s Southeastern Theatre Conference in Orlando in early March. If you hail from the Southeast and are interested, check them out. Anyway, one workshop is geared toward high school juniors and seniors interested in auditioning for scholarships in the theatre and the other we are collaborating with another of our colleagues on a workshop based around the idea of using a classic melodramatic style as a basis for an improvisational game. The game and the workshop were developed by our colleague and we are merely part of his improv troupe for the day. It should prove to be a lot of fun.
Things have been a bit slow lately, but I can tell you that I am now with the Wilhelmina-Dan Agency in Nashville. The people there are great.
I think that’s all for now. Don’t forget to check out the Green Room!
In response to Widgett’s call to Get Off Your Ass and Write Something This Weekend, I’ve posted this short story. I know this is a departure from the norms for this site, but hey, it’s my site and I’ll do damn well what I want, right?
Writing as a political weapon? An outdated ideal or lofty goal? Personally, I think that good fiction should let people decide for themselves. If the writer is passionate enough about what they are writing, their beliefs will undoubtedly become an irrepressible part of the framework of the story without cramming it down the reader’s (or audience member’s) throat. The truth that is mentioned in the article: whose is it? The writers? The authors? Whose should it be?
I believe that there is nothing higher than the story. All things must serve the story; all characters, all actions, everything. If one writes for any other purpose, the impact of the message will be completely lost.
Don’t forget to look for further comment over in the Green Room!
Needcoffee.com » Get Off Your Ass and Write Something This Weekend
This is a kick-ass idea. My buddy Widge over at Needcoffee.com has come up with this idea and I’m going to give full support. Look for my contribution right here…before the deadline, of course!
Just a reminder to the few people who have found my little patch of theatre here in the blogosphere that I have also set up a message board on this site! If you want a chance to really talk about a topic, check out The Green Room! The link has been a bit hidden over on the right hand side of the page for a while, but I’m going to be making it a bit more prominent.