Tuesday, May 27, 2003

 
Improv Prom: 'Help The Playground celebrate its 6 year anniversary!!! Come groove the night away at Improv Prom, Saturday, June 7th 2003 at Fizz. Your ticket includes an open bar of: house wine, draft beer and soda. DJ Rene Duquesnoy will spin the funky beats. Great prizes will be raffled and a new King and Queen will be crowned. This event is open to anyone and everyone. Bring a date or bring five. Prom this year is not only a fun ass party, but a fundraiser as well. For more info and to make reservations, check out the Playground website.'

Monday, May 26, 2003

 
Goodman named the number one US regional theatre by Time; congrats to the Goodman folks and their publicists.

 
According to the Sun-Times, Barry Cunnane was shot Saturday morning, and died Saturday afternoon. ABC7 reports police are still seeking the shooter/s. Amongst other things, Barry Cunnane was a company member of The Saint Sebastian Players.
'May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'

Sunday, May 25, 2003

 
Excerpted from an interview with Dustin Hoffman:
...wasn't there a great instruction Mike Nichols gave you during the most intense work on The Graduate?
It was at times excruciating, because Nichols is very demanding, and thank God he was. I've been accused of being a perfectionist, which is kind of a silly designation when you think about it. I always say, it's like, you're going in for brain surgery, and the surgeon leans over and says, 'I just want you to know I'm not a perfectionist, so don't worry, I'm a nice guy.'
I think we all learned from Nichols. He took me aside one day when I was tired, not focusing well on the scene, and very quietly gave me that piercing look ofhis and said, 'You're never going to get a chance to do this scene again as long as you live, and you're going to see it one day up there on the screen.
(from Fred Schruers 'Tale of Hoffman,' Premiere, June 2003)

Saturday, May 24, 2003

 
25 Mistakes every actor should avoid - don't lie, proofreed your resume, don't use irrelevant credits, update your headshots, send a cover letter, etc. (from Show Business).

 
Secrets To Good Children's Theatre:
  1. decide what story you're telling and then get on with it; adults may enjoy the odd interesting digression, children simply lose interest and start eating crisps
  2. avoid irony and political point scoring at all costs; children can sense the strident negative energy a mile off and are bored by it
  3. avoid deliberate artiness in design and make things look like what they are supposed to be
  4. keep it simple and remember that less is more; children come to the theatre to be told a story, not to admire someone's fancy set design or hard-won clowning skills
(from scotsman.com).

Tuesday, May 20, 2003

 

Chicago vs. New York

'Chicago has nearly 200 theater companies, and for at least the last decade it has been the only city in the United States, and one of the few in the world, with a theatrical scene as vibrant as New York's' (from The New York Times).

 
Grande Latte Con Theatre: 'On May 23, 2003, at exactly 5:15 p.m., in ten Chicago Starbucks, professional actors will simultaneously perform original monologues written by Chicago Public High School students in Chicago Dramatists' Outreach Program' (from Backstage).

 
For any friends seeking a day job: 'Comedysportz is looking for a part-time employee to run the concession stand. Fun environment. Mostly night and weekend shifts. If you are interested please call Robyn Norris at 773-549-8080 or e-mail her.'

Labels:


 
For any technician friends: 'Bluefence needs kick-ass tech person to work a Dawn & Ally show running 10:30 pm saturday nights, June 7-June 19 (no show on July 5) at WNEP. Tech work includes helping to run lights, sound and one music video via projector. Pretty simple stuff and we promise to have everything greatly organized for you. There is also pay. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact ally stinchield at 773-259-2223 or email her . Thanks.'

Friday, May 16, 2003

 
'Actors Network Meeting: This Sunday at 12 noon (May 18th)
1803 W. Byron St. (Yahoo Map) $3 at the door
Our favorite casting agency in Chicago - O'Connor Casting will be speaking!
Take notes and bring questions; this is a great opportunity for us to learn. See ya there - Jose Saro Solis, Director; Patti Balsis, Assistant'

 
Prepping for L.A. - 'Where does L.A. fit into the New York and 'regional' actor's life?' and the '...tremendous amount of ongoing television production - especially the weekly shows calling for lots of one-time featured and principal roles entailing a week's worth of shooting - that provides most of the working actor's bread and butter' (from BackStage).

Thursday, May 15, 2003

 
An Ecstasy of Dragonflies
Thursdays - Saturdays @ 8 PM, and Sundays @ 3 PM through June 22 at:
City Lit - 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. (Yahoo map)
Click here or call 773-293-3682 for tickets.
From the Sun-Times:
City Lit Theater managing director Page Hearn has penned his first play, An Ecstasy of Dragonflies, a surreal gay fable about commitment and the joys and fears faced by anyone on the verge of a hopefully lasting relationship. The production marks the first time City Lit, a company known for its adaptations of literature, has staged an entirely original work.

An Ecstasy of Dragonflies - click here for tickets

 

Wednesday, May 14, 2003

 
 

Monday, May 12, 2003

 
Today in theatre history: 1664: The first three acts of Moliere's Tartuffe are presented at Versailles. (from theatrehistory.com).

Sunday, May 11, 2003

 
Today in theatre history: 1950: Eugène Ionesco's The Bald Soprano premieres at the Théâtre des Noctambules, Paris (from theatrehistory.com).

 
The Improv Audition - a workshop led by Joe Janes on Monday, June 30th from 7 PM to 10:30 PM. From headshot and resume to walking out the door:
  • increase your confidence
  • learn how to put a resume together
  • be more professional
  • learn about cold readings
  • learn what to expect and what auditioners look for
Joe Janes' experience as an improviser, producer and director includes: The Second City National Touring Company, The Second City Training Center, The Second City - Detroit, ComedySportz-Chicago and the WNEP Theater Foundation. He has led or participated in numerous auditions at The Second City Training Center, The Second City - Detroit, The Second City - Cleveland, The Second City - Chicago and the WNEP Theater Foundation. Tuition is $45/$35 if you register by May 30th, class size is limited; call 773-531-1792 or e-mail to reserve your space.

Friday, May 09, 2003

 
An on-line coupon for 10% off your next National Photo order; you can save on duplicating your headshots.

Thursday, May 08, 2003

 
Annoyance Productions has begun early/on-line registration for the Summer 2003 class session (May 29th - July 26th).
  • Classes are discounted $20 - if payments are received on or before May 21st, 2003
  • Annoyance Productions web site for more information on class descriptions, times, and instructors
  • If you have any registration or class questions, please don't hesitate to contact us by email or by phone @ 773-929-6200

Tuesday, May 06, 2003

 
Maia Rosenfeld Photography in Chicago in June - 'I'll be back the first two weeks of June. Please call 310-403-8448 or e-mail me to schedule an appointment. I'll be offering the following deal:
  • 4 Rolls of 36EXP, Make-Up, Negatives and Proof Sheets = $350
  • 2 Rolls of 36EXP, Make-Up, Negatives and Proof Sheets = $250

If you can't see me in June, I will be back again - when, I'm not sure - but in the meantime, if you're looking for some good, cheap headshots, you can try my former assistant, Steve DuCharme at 773-865-2217.'

Monday, May 05, 2003

 

Sunday, May 04, 2003

 

ALS Gala

Update September 2006: Contact info has been removed at Ms. Lindgren's request, which makes this post more informative than actionable.

'Hi everyone... I need your help in creating an incredible GALA!! I just need you...NOT MONEY!!!

I'm a part of 'Playing 2 Win for Life' a foundation for raising money for ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease) research. ALS attacks all your voluntary muscles and then eventually your non-voluntary...so you go from the normal fuctions in life to becoming a vegetable to death...and your mind stays sharp the entire time. I can't think of any fate more devistating.

I'm part of a committe putting together a GALA on May 9th in hopes of raising money for ALS research. It's being held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. We are currently working to get Caroline Rhea to host the event, but I'm not sure if that is going through or not. But this is where I need your help.

We are having a red carpet greet all the guests as they arrive. We'd like to recreate the feeling of the Oscars and events similar to it so that the sponsers feel like they are a part of something special. I thought that improvisers would be perfect for this...to be taking pictures...interviewing guests on their outfit like Joan Rivers...pretending to be reporters. And then they would help during our auction in going up to guest with the microphone, making them feel comfortable. It's going to be a lot of fun.

So what do you get out of it?
You get to get as dressed up as you want...or not, and improvise on the red carpet. Then you get to be a part of the Gala by enjoying dinner and the nights entertainment. Also, you get to be a part of something really incredible...raising money to find a cure for ALS. Please contact me if are interested. I'm desperate to find at least 20 people that can commit for that night. Please send me a private message or email me at [email removed at Ms. Lingren's request]. Thank you! Niki Lindgren'

Thursday, May 01, 2003

 
An unfinished Wilde play, A Wife's Tragedy, has been discovered in the University of California's library; it is said to have parallels with Wilde's life (from BBC).