So a new post has been a long time coming... and while this one is more of a teaser than anything, I will have new news posted in the next few days - about the adventures of the last month, auditions and all kinds of new crap... in the meantime, check out my facebook to see new photos and on-going news and such...
All love!
J.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Details in the Fabric
I have realized today that I haven’t written much of anything since the show opened, which is too bad, but is what it is. I’m writing this from the dressing room on Thursday, April 16th a few hours before the show, though I am sure I won’t get to an internet location till much after I’m done writing.
The run of “Dracula” has been a wonderful, eye-opening experience for me. I have learned a great deal about myself, being here in Sonora, working with SRT, being a full time actor - there is nothing in the world like it. I’ve gotten to work every day on my acting, not have to go anywhere else if I didn’t want to and with each passing day I have had more and more fun. The show has gone very well, we have played to large houses every night (the two Wednesday Matinee’s where a little small) and everyone that has seen the show has had nothing but wonderful things to say about it.
My friends Steve, Brian, Jim and Emily came up to see the show, which was so great. Brian was here for my birthday (for which I turned 29 – I’m within arm’s reach of the big 3-0) and we watched one of the better Wrestlemainia’s I have seen. (Go 17-0 ‘Taker!)
I’ve gotten to experience Yosemite (A MUST SEE if you have never been), see some of the small mining towns around the area, the museums on the history of the gold rush era, perform on a stage that Edwin Booth worked on and seen some most amazing sites as well as some really great theatre (Fiddler and Barefoot in the Park).
I really felt like all the work I put into getting myself here has paid off into something really wonderful, something that I am really proud of. I am doing work that is truly fun and entertaining and I am just having the most amazing time of my life. This experience has given to me the much needed clarity of why I loved acting, what I had to give to it to really be great and to enjoy the hell out of my life and it has given back to me something I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again, cause I wasn't really sure that it was lost – me.
I’m happy to say that I return to LA a different person than when I left, in a good way. I am excited, I’m happy, I’m motivated; I’m enjoying everything that I touch.
I am going to miss Sonora – and if the fates allow, I will return in the fall for “Bus Stop”. If not, I will take everything that I have learned here, the people I’ve met and the things I’ve seen and experienced, with me for the rest of my life. This was a big one, it might not seem like it, but in the course of my life, coming here changed a great deal, all for the best.
Thank you for the love and support, those who sent emails and cards for opening and my birthday. Thank you, thank you.
J.
Friday, March 27, 2009
"My muse, as always, is Aphrodite." "Aphrodite Baggett, who does it behind the Dog and Crumpet? "
Tonight, we open "Dracula" - my first sudo-Equity show (I am now a member of the union, but not recognized as such in this show, since I was not a member when I was cast...) with Sierra Rep in Sonora, CA.
The rehearsal time has been short, the nights have been long. The tech has been crazy and as Philip Henslowe says "The natural condition (of the theatre business) is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster." And how we ever make it to opening a show... well, that's a mystery.
But here we are. And I am so happy.
These past two weeks have been some of the best times of my life thus far - waking to only have to head over to the theatre (well, and the gym too, but I like going there), not having to put on a "doctor's coat" and serve hamburgers to people, getting my Equity card, meeting and working with actors who have traveled the country doing what I want to do. Ted, who plays Van Helsing, has worked with some of the best theatres around the country, playing Bottom with the California Shakespeare Festival and even did School for Scandal with Brian Bedford at the Forum in LA - the year after I saw Bedford in the play at Stratford. Simply great.
This whole experience has been amazing. The past two nights we have been in previews. Last night was a PTA group, which took a moment or so to warm up to us, but after they did they seemed to have the time of their lives with the show and then night before that the Fiddler cast (which is the other show Sierra is doing right now) came to see the show during our "Friends and Family" night. They too loved the show - laughed and gasped - it was such a thrill to have an audience and to have them eating out of the palm of our hand.
Tonight should be a thrill. There is an opening night "Gala" at the local pub after the show, and we are playing to an almost sold-out house (here is hoping that is sells all the way tonight!) or so I'm told.
I'm excited for the show to open - to hear the people react, to play off them. I love working in the theatre - there is truly no thrill like getting an audience on board with you and riding that wave for two hours. It is no wonder to me that thousands of years after Thespis of Icaria first stepped from the chorus, theatre still has the passion and energy that drives people from their homes to join together in this amazing, communal experience.
J.
As a sidebar: The car working again and passed the smog test.
The rehearsal time has been short, the nights have been long. The tech has been crazy and as Philip Henslowe says "The natural condition (of the theatre business) is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster." And how we ever make it to opening a show... well, that's a mystery.
But here we are. And I am so happy.
These past two weeks have been some of the best times of my life thus far - waking to only have to head over to the theatre (well, and the gym too, but I like going there), not having to put on a "doctor's coat" and serve hamburgers to people, getting my Equity card, meeting and working with actors who have traveled the country doing what I want to do. Ted, who plays Van Helsing, has worked with some of the best theatres around the country, playing Bottom with the California Shakespeare Festival and even did School for Scandal with Brian Bedford at the Forum in LA - the year after I saw Bedford in the play at Stratford. Simply great.
This whole experience has been amazing. The past two nights we have been in previews. Last night was a PTA group, which took a moment or so to warm up to us, but after they did they seemed to have the time of their lives with the show and then night before that the Fiddler cast (which is the other show Sierra is doing right now) came to see the show during our "Friends and Family" night. They too loved the show - laughed and gasped - it was such a thrill to have an audience and to have them eating out of the palm of our hand.
Tonight should be a thrill. There is an opening night "Gala" at the local pub after the show, and we are playing to an almost sold-out house (here is hoping that is sells all the way tonight!) or so I'm told.
I'm excited for the show to open - to hear the people react, to play off them. I love working in the theatre - there is truly no thrill like getting an audience on board with you and riding that wave for two hours. It is no wonder to me that thousands of years after Thespis of Icaria first stepped from the chorus, theatre still has the passion and energy that drives people from their homes to join together in this amazing, communal experience.
J.
As a sidebar: The car working again and passed the smog test.
Friday, March 20, 2009
More misadventures…
So, my car is still not working – or rather isn’t working well enough to pass the Smog test…
Three days of this, three long days… and tomorrow will be the fourth and final day of adventures in Modesto, one way or another. I am bringing the car back to this “mechanic” (I use that word loosely since this guy doesn’t seem to be able to actually fix my car) and see if he can work his magic so I can pass my Smog test… if not, then I shall be coming back to LA for the three day break that I have after our opening weekend so it can be done then… ugh… cars… Goal of 2009: Buy a new car
Rehearsal, however, has been going great. We are painting with big, bold colors in this show and I am having a blast working on it. Tonight, and the night past, we have been working in the sound cues – for those of you who did “Dracula” with me at Stritch – this show has twice the sound cues… which is hard to believe because that show seemed like every moment had music or something under it – well in this show, literally every moment has one or more sound cues under it – so there is a ton of start and stop, setting of levels and the like. The day time rehearsals, where it is just time to have fun and act, I’m having a blast with. This character is a great deal of fun, and Dennis wants a lot more out of him then I first thought he was going to let me do. I felt like he was a "function oriented" role to begin with, but that is not at all how he wants him played, which is great and giving me a great deal of room to make him as odd as I want to – not sure that most of the oddness will stay when all is said and done, but it is fun to play with him, no doubt!
I am very excited and surprised that we open already next week – the time is going by so fast, as my second week is half over. I guess time does truly fly when you’re having fun – and so far, this has been an amazing blast.I managed to post some pictures of Van Helsing, Dracula, Renfield and Mina on my facebook page, so make sure to check those out!
Gotta get back to the Cue to Cue, as my break is almost over – but I shall update again soon about the show and about the status of my car!
Till then,
J.
(As of posting this, I am back at the shop - having one more go with getting the O2 sensor fixed - I now know why the %^&* it wasn't working before, because the guy, to say himself money, kept putting a used on in... now he is putting a brand new one in, and that should fix the problem... I hope... Oh man, do I hope...)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A new adventure that could have been avoided
So, early last week I got a ticket, while parked in “downtown” Sonora, for my car’s registration being expired… which after the fact, I realized that I had forgotten to take care of that before I left LA. One of the many things that I left undone, which I am finding out about little by little as I go on up here… So I figured, no biggie, I’ll take it to the DMV, pay for the new sticker and be done with it.
Well, if only it was that easy…
While there, the woman at the DMV says that my car must be Smog Tested before they can issue me the new registration – but since I’m from LA, they don’t do that kind of testing in Sonora and I would need to find a test site that can do it. I ask, “Where can I take it?”, but she doesn’t know.
So, off to the theatre I go, to see if anyone there knows where I can take it. One of the staff, she says she’s got a place that I can go – so great, we head over there. While we are there I’m talking to the guy about how much I hate the after-market security system that the previous owner put on it and I would love to have it removed, if he could – no biggie, he says. Leave the car, the Smog guy is on his lunch break – we’ll call you…
An hour later, I get a call (thinking, hoping it’s all done) asking why I’m having the thing Smog tested – I explain… “Oh, well, we don’t do the kind of test that you would need” (even though I asked…) where is the closest place I can take it, I say. “Oakdale” Well, this is not so, as I called half a dozen places there, none of them do the test either – they say “Try Modesto” (which is an hour away from Sonora). So finally I find a place that will do it – no problem, the guys says, we do all of the state testing here.
Fast Forward to today – so I drive it down, get it to the test center – he runs the test… good, good… it fails one of the parts of the test… I mean, really… So he gives me the name of a mechanic, whom he works with “all the time” (I feel like I am being scammed right now… remember “It’s a long way to the top” – but what am I going to do, it has to pass and I have to get the car registered or risk more tickets). So now I am waiting for “the car to be looked at, figure out the problem” and then take it back to be retested… good thing I don’t need to be back to Sonora till 6pm tonight… sweet god… what a waste of my time…
Well, if only it was that easy…
While there, the woman at the DMV says that my car must be Smog Tested before they can issue me the new registration – but since I’m from LA, they don’t do that kind of testing in Sonora and I would need to find a test site that can do it. I ask, “Where can I take it?”, but she doesn’t know.
So, off to the theatre I go, to see if anyone there knows where I can take it. One of the staff, she says she’s got a place that I can go – so great, we head over there. While we are there I’m talking to the guy about how much I hate the after-market security system that the previous owner put on it and I would love to have it removed, if he could – no biggie, he says. Leave the car, the Smog guy is on his lunch break – we’ll call you…
An hour later, I get a call (thinking, hoping it’s all done) asking why I’m having the thing Smog tested – I explain… “Oh, well, we don’t do the kind of test that you would need” (even though I asked…) where is the closest place I can take it, I say. “Oakdale” Well, this is not so, as I called half a dozen places there, none of them do the test either – they say “Try Modesto” (which is an hour away from Sonora). So finally I find a place that will do it – no problem, the guys says, we do all of the state testing here.
Fast Forward to today – so I drive it down, get it to the test center – he runs the test… good, good… it fails one of the parts of the test… I mean, really… So he gives me the name of a mechanic, whom he works with “all the time” (I feel like I am being scammed right now… remember “It’s a long way to the top” – but what am I going to do, it has to pass and I have to get the car registered or risk more tickets). So now I am waiting for “the car to be looked at, figure out the problem” and then take it back to be retested… good thing I don’t need to be back to Sonora till 6pm tonight… sweet god… what a waste of my time…
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I have had a most rare vision…
So rehearsal last night was, amazing.
The theatre space is a wonder to behold, it has this Wild West, “Deadwood” feel to it when you walk in. It was once and Ice Cream parlor, which is still intact next to the lobby, and there is still a working Hotel in the building as well. Colombia, which is a small mining town outside of Sonora is where the Fallon House is located. This is the theatre that we are doing Dracula at and it couldn’t be a better place for it. The old world feel has a “Ford Theatre” creepiness to it, which is very interesting since I found out that Edwin Booth (the famous actor and brother of John Wilkes Booth) toured and played at this very stage!
We are going to be doing most of the rehearsals in this space, on the finished set, which is an immaculate piece of scenic design. The whole show, save the last scene, takes place in the parlor of the Seward home, which is also the living wing of the Sanatorium that contains Renfield. The set then transformers into the crypt, and when I was shown this my jaw almost dropped through the floor. Moving walls, hidden trap doors and a giant crypt that houses Dracula…
I’m not sure what I expected, per say, when I got here, but this was not it. This is more than I ever thought I was going to get here.
For those of you that are “Slings and Arrows” fans, this place has a very New Burbage feel to the town, the quaintness, and also the theatre. While not quite the same scale, it is very close. Walking under the stage, going through the admin buildings, this theatre company is a complex – with a half dozen building in East Sonora, plus The Fallon House. It is amazing, since the town reminds me of the way McHenry was back when I was in High School (before the huge explosion of building on Rt. 31 and the rebirth of 120) I was not sure that my old community could sustain a professional theatre company, till now. Seeing the way this company operates, the level of productions (at least on a technical level so far, as I have yet to see a show only there productions photos – though I plan on seeing Fiddler on The Roof next week when I have a night off) I believe that with driven minds and hearts full of the love of theatre, it can survive anywhere. I mean, if a professional theatre like this can live and breathe in a town of 2,000, it can live anywhere!
Today I got a tour of the compound they have in East Sonora – where their main stage is (currently showing Fiddler), this is also where the admin buildings are, the scene shop, costume workshop and storage, as well as two rehearsal halls.
So far today, I had my measurements taken (as they are finishing work on my costume) did my time at the gym (running on the treadmill at an elevation of 2000 is much different than running at sea level, let me tell ya!) and am grabbing a quick bite and getting in some reading as well as script work before rehearsal at 2pm.
I also got a camera today, so I’ll be post photos soon!
J.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Time for Dracula
So I made it to Sonora in one piece, and for those of you who have no idea why I'm up here, let me fill you in. I got cast in my first Equity play, Dracula, with the Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora, CA (which is outside of Sacramento)
Beautiful country, reminds me alot of IL with a random Plam Tree or two... it is cold, the downtown is like a hybrid between Park City, UT where I went for Sundance in 2005 and Woodstocks square... that old tyme feel, but more like a one mile stretch of road.
Before leaving I had another audition (the morning of leaving for my 6.5 hour drive ) for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. They are doing Much Ado About Nothing and Measure for Measure.
The cell service here is almost non-existant (thank you sprint) and there is only wifi in town. (I am updating from an Applebee's before I head of to my first rehearsal at 2pm). I'm staying with a "host family" which at first I thought would be really strange, but they are super sweet and the house is similar to Bree's parent's home (but in ranch form) so it feels like I have my own wing of the place. It is out "in the middle of nowhere" but at the same time is 5 mintues to the theatre I'm working at and 10 minutes to town and the stores. All and all, this is a really cool experience so far!
I'll update more later.
J.
Beautiful country, reminds me alot of IL with a random Plam Tree or two... it is cold, the downtown is like a hybrid between Park City, UT where I went for Sundance in 2005 and Woodstocks square... that old tyme feel, but more like a one mile stretch of road.
Before leaving I had another audition (the morning of leaving for my 6.5 hour drive ) for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. They are doing Much Ado About Nothing and Measure for Measure.
The cell service here is almost non-existant (thank you sprint) and there is only wifi in town. (I am updating from an Applebee's before I head of to my first rehearsal at 2pm). I'm staying with a "host family" which at first I thought would be really strange, but they are super sweet and the house is similar to Bree's parent's home (but in ranch form) so it feels like I have my own wing of the place. It is out "in the middle of nowhere" but at the same time is 5 mintues to the theatre I'm working at and 10 minutes to town and the stores. All and all, this is a really cool experience so far!
I'll update more later.
J.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
You thought I was dead!
Well, so did I for a while...
It has been sometime, almost six months since last I updated this adventure that is my life. And many things have come to pass.
Christmas has come and gone, Baseball season is upon us (Go Cubs!) and I have joined AEA, or Actor's Equity, and become a fully carded professional actor.
This time next week, I will be updating from Sierra Rep in Sonora where I will be taking part in their production of "Dracula".
In the past months, I've been auditioning for The Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Geffen Playhouse, Denver Center Theatre Nip/Tuck, which will air in the shows final season that has yet to begin and have ventured back into the realm of writing and reading again.
Days become months and transfer to years - I had coffee this morning with a man I went to school with in McHenry, who now lives in LA working on a career in films and recently saw a dear Friend depart for the city that will always hold my heart, Chicago. I have enjoyed the adventure of having my lifelong best friend move to LA and have been enjoying them as well as spending time with another dear friend who moves ever closer to a life in music and reminds me more and more of a man I've long since lost.
Fires are reborn, passion are seeing their true life and a smile is on face that had long borne a frown.
These six months or so since last I spoke have been life changing and continue to be, as every day influence the day to comes after as the day before does this one.
I want to give a thank you and my love to those that have supported me, been there when I needed love and helpful hand. You are will me always.
Now, to the current events:
This week is all about preparing for "Dracula", putting the finishing touches on learning my lines, packing, making sure that bills are paid or payments are prepped. I leave on Monday for the 6 hour plus drive which will quite the adventure and I can hardly hold in how excited I am. I am playing the role of Butterworth, who is from the novel, and he is a helper/strongman in the insane asylum. This is going to be a great chance to spend all of my day in rehearsal, around artist and craftsmen and women, doing what I love more than anything in the world.
If you are in middle Cali, in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, you should come and see the show!
Also this week was my House audition for a Co-star bit. I went great, getting to explore the FOX lot, which I love. There is so much history in those sound stages, so many great movies filmed there. That is one of the things I love about this town - the rich history of film that is everywhere. I love movies so much.
This week is the beginnings of baseball training and I got to see my first game of the season at work last week. Most years, I don't do a good job keeping up with what is happening until past the All-Star point, but this year I'm going to watch more games, go to more games. I love being at the ballpark! Dodger Stadium isn't HALF is good as Wrigley (I mean, where is!?) but it is still great to see The Cubs and The Dodgers go at it!
So planning, prepping and getting ready to travel! Big changes are coming!
It has been sometime, almost six months since last I updated this adventure that is my life. And many things have come to pass.
Christmas has come and gone, Baseball season is upon us (Go Cubs!) and I have joined AEA, or Actor's Equity, and become a fully carded professional actor.
This time next week, I will be updating from Sierra Rep in Sonora where I will be taking part in their production of "Dracula".
In the past months, I've been auditioning for The Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Geffen Playhouse, Denver Center Theatre Nip/Tuck, which will air in the shows final season that has yet to begin and have ventured back into the realm of writing and reading again.
Days become months and transfer to years - I had coffee this morning with a man I went to school with in McHenry, who now lives in LA working on a career in films and recently saw a dear Friend depart for the city that will always hold my heart, Chicago. I have enjoyed the adventure of having my lifelong best friend move to LA and have been enjoying them as well as spending time with another dear friend who moves ever closer to a life in music and reminds me more and more of a man I've long since lost.
Fires are reborn, passion are seeing their true life and a smile is on face that had long borne a frown.
These six months or so since last I spoke have been life changing and continue to be, as every day influence the day to comes after as the day before does this one.
I want to give a thank you and my love to those that have supported me, been there when I needed love and helpful hand. You are will me always.
Now, to the current events:
This week is all about preparing for "Dracula", putting the finishing touches on learning my lines, packing, making sure that bills are paid or payments are prepped. I leave on Monday for the 6 hour plus drive which will quite the adventure and I can hardly hold in how excited I am. I am playing the role of Butterworth, who is from the novel, and he is a helper/strongman in the insane asylum. This is going to be a great chance to spend all of my day in rehearsal, around artist and craftsmen and women, doing what I love more than anything in the world.
If you are in middle Cali, in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, you should come and see the show!
Also this week was my House audition for a Co-star bit. I went great, getting to explore the FOX lot, which I love. There is so much history in those sound stages, so many great movies filmed there. That is one of the things I love about this town - the rich history of film that is everywhere. I love movies so much.
This week is the beginnings of baseball training and I got to see my first game of the season at work last week. Most years, I don't do a good job keeping up with what is happening until past the All-Star point, but this year I'm going to watch more games, go to more games. I love being at the ballpark! Dodger Stadium isn't HALF is good as Wrigley (I mean, where is!?) but it is still great to see The Cubs and The Dodgers go at it!
So planning, prepping and getting ready to travel! Big changes are coming!
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