One of my favorite Frasier quotes

"You go through life meeting people who are all the same. You know? And they just think you're the same too. And then one day, you meet this guy, but he's not the same. Because he actually sees that you're not the same. And he knows, because he's the same way."



Dorky fun photography idea!

I have had an idea for a photography project that is silly and dorky and I think would be cute and fun. I want to get a long table, cover it with gaming paraphernalia, sourcebooks and dice and character sheets and battle mats and minis and suchlike, and then set up a bunch of people around it arranged in the same poses as the figures in Da Vinci's Last Supper. Everyone could wear their nerdy T-shirts or their cloaks and elf ears or look like goths or punks or whatever style else that is associated with gamer culture. I kind of want to myself in the middle, because I'm arrogant like that, and be DM Jesus. ;-) I think I'd call it The Last Session, or something like that.

So I need twelve people to volunteer to be my models. I need a photographer too. I might be able to get my brother to do it, if he has time, but if anyone else is interested, let me know.

So who's game? :-)

Merely Players cast list!

After a great deal of wrangling, adapting, and making hard decisions, with the release of the Margaret list I was able to nail down the cast of Merely Players. Our ragtag but intrepid troupe The Walking Shadows shall be portrayed as follows:

Cornelia, the Director - Stephanie Karol
Sylvia, the Ingenue - Gabrielle Geller
Dionyza, the Diva - April Farmer
Malcolm, the Lead - Ben Federlin
Orlando, the Lover - Andrew Prentice
Arcite, the Fool - Lenny Somervell
Valeria, the First Chorus - Jenna Schlags
Cressida, the Second Chorus - Emma Lieberman
Charmian, the Third Chorus - Miriam Goldman
Audrey, the Stage Manager - Carolyn Daitch

As always, I had more people than I could use, which meant some talented, awesome actors could not be cast. And since I'd made a promise to prioritize those with smaller roles or no roles in Margaret, or even those that weren't booked up by other shows, that meant certain poeple who I would normally leap to work with could not be chosen in fairness to the stated mission. *sigh* Let it not be said that I am not a woman of my word, even when it requires me to make some cuts that pain me. It was really important to me to do right by the club, and I feel like I can say that I did.

Looking at the complete list, it strikes me how little overlap there is with this list with those of the previous shows I've directed. To Think of Nothing had three actors in common with Hamlet, probably the three that struck me the most with their particular abilities, while this show has none. There's only one actor from To Think of Nothing in it, though not for lack of trying. Much as I miss them, it does kind of make me feel good that I was able to use a number of people tried out for To Think of Nothing that I wasn't able to cast that time, not for their lack of talent, but just because I didn't have room. I assured them once that I still though they were worthy in my estimation even though I had no parts for them, and it's kind of nice to be able to make good on that assurance now. And it's good to work with new people, to vary up your theatrical experience. It may help me improve and grow as a director.

The first read through is tonight. As I did for To Think of Nothing, I plan on cooking dinner for all those lovely souls who will be contributing their time and effort to act out this play. I think it's a nice way to start off the working relationship. Got to win goodwill from your actors straight off, and God knows if you feed those creatures you've won their loyalty for life.

Current work

Been working on my next blank verse assignment for school. For once I got lucky and was actually struck with an idea for something without having to drag some subject up out of nothing, which usually results in a better final product. The trouble is, this is for the professor who has specifically barred me from writing in Shakespearean diction, and the subject matter is very classically theatrical and would be particularly suited to that language style. I wanted to write about a man who has finally resolved on the day he is about to receive a commendation from his liege to at long last tell a woman he's in love with her, only to see her accept a marriage proposal from his lieutenant. He then swears to ruin this man in the eyes of everyone around them such that even his lady will turn away. Then I could write a tale of dramatic scheming and desperation to end in a terrible tragedy, probably where all parties involved end up taking their own lives. Very Shakespearean, no? *sigh* I suppose what I can do is try and write it according to my teacher's specifications, and later adapt it to the language I'd really like for my own purposes. Seems a little bit like a waste of time, at least on the journey to a final product, but I need to write something for this assignment. At the very least it will help me sharpen my blank verse.

I also need to write another new ten-minute play for my next primary assignment. Wonder of wonders, I actually kind of have an idea for that too. There's a really great episode of Frasier, one of my all-time favorite TV shows, that is one of two shot in "real time," as in one long continuous scene in one location rather than a serious of cuts. I find it to be hilariously funny and because of the nature of it always believed it would make a great play. I would really like to write my next ten minute play in the style of this Frasier episode and capture the sort of comedy it utilizes. The only concern I have is that it might be tough to basically not just rip off the episode, to find a way to capture the style while making a distinct piece. Originality can be so tough! Ah, well. I think I'll give it a try, just to see if I can pull it off without making it too similar to its inspiration. Posts, as usual, to follow!

Please let this coming week be calmer...

At last, the week of ceaseless theater and theater prep is over. I went to all four shows of As You Like It, which turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable production. There was lots of good acting and great humor as I was hoping there would be, and it was also nice to be reminded just how good Jared is. I haven't seen him act in a while, and I was incredibly proud of the performance he turned in as Oliver, the hero's wicked elder brother who reforms by the end to marry the heroine's cute cousin. He seems to have enjoyed it too, as they were a great group to work with and he very much liked his part. usernamenumber too is particuarly worth a mention in his hilarious portrayal of Touchstone who was easily everyone's favorite part of the play. My favorites of his line readings were his scary-heavy-metal-voice "DOTH MY SIMPLE VISAGE CONTENT YOU?" and "Thou art in a perilous state, shepheeeeeeeerd!' The picnic on Saturday made it even better. We ended up in a group of over twenty people, with lots and lots of delicious food to share. It doesn't get much better than combining three of the best things in the world, food, friends, and theater.

I hope this coming week is lower-key. Even if I'm enjoying the things I'm doing, constantly having to run from one thing to the next is a surefire way to stress me out. I'm still a little residually edgy. But on the plus side, I will soon be able to release the cast list for Merely Players, which I am very excited for. Had a very productive meeting with Dave to make sure we were on the same page, and I think things are going to work out very well. He was great to talk to and I think he'll be great for everyone involved in the show to work with. My parents are also coming in, and I know they're going to need my help with some stuff they need to get done while they're here. More work, I guess, but it will be nice to see them. Here's hoping I get a minute to catch my breath after the week I've had.

First steps for Merely Players

Merely Players auditions happened last night. They went well, and I liked and would be happy to use every single person I saw, though out of eleven I only have room to cast nine. Alas, I am spoiled for choice. Poor me. ;-) I could probably nail down a list right now, though, except that Dave has requested that I wait until he can finalize the Margaret list next Wednesday. He's afraid of losing people he wants to other shows when common casting rolls around, and any shifts he has to make because of that might affect my list. I certainly can understand, I lost three actors that way back when I did Hamlet, and though it worked out, for a while it was quite painful to fill the gaps. Still, I kind of wish we could jump in and get started. Seeing people come out for my show last night has got me really raring to go.

After this crazy week ends, I need to get serious about finishing the blocking. I have a lot of ideas, and some things nailed down concretely, but I like to go into rehearsals with at least a solid idea of what we'll be doing. It always changes once it gets worked, of course, but it helps cut down on wasted time. Though one thing that's kind of exciting is that this is very much a living script, I expect it to evolve and change as we rehearse it, and I welcome suggestions and ideas from the actors. If anyone has a thought on how to make it flow better, or to make the piece funnier, I want to hear it to make it the most entertaining piece it can be. I've never really worked like that before, nor do I think any of these others have, but that's the way writers often develop their new plays. It will be an exciting new challenge.

Intense week of theater

Gah. Things started getting busy last Thursday and won't let up until the end of this coming weekend. We got Jared successfully moved into his new place with an intrepid team of him, Bernie, Steph, and myself. It actually went pretty smoothly except for the actual travel, because traffic was so awful it took three times as long to get anywhere as it should have. But I'm glad to have gotten it taken care of, and I think it's been nice for Jared to be in Somerville since he's in tech week for his show.

The show is going to be going up this coming weekend. I promised to attend all four performances starting on Thursday, the Saturday of which the big potluck picnic will be. I am excited, but I need to be ready and in organizational mode to make sure everything goes off all right. Hope to see as many lovely friends as possible there!

As for my own activities, this past weekend I spent finishing my latest homework assignment and recovering from a blindingly bad migraine. Saturday and Sunday I spent working, but I woke up on Labor Day with a halo in my right eye that I only noticed when I tried to go back to my school reading. Soon the headache set in on the left side of my head, followed by waves of nausea and vomiting. If Bernie hadn't been able to quickly run me over some Excedrin Migraine, I don't know what I would have done. I've only just started getting migraines about a year and a half ago, and even then I've only ever had four or five, but that was easily the worst one I've ever had. I had recently experienced a lot of the factors that contribute to getting migraines-- stress, long hours staring at a computer screen, hormonal changes due to my prescription running out and being unable to get a timely refill appointment --but it does kind of make me nervous that they seem to have become worse with every episode. It may be something worth addressing with a doctor, before I end up with an aneurysm or something.

Auditions for Merely Players are tomorrow night. I was a little nervous at first, as not very many people had contacted me with interest in coming out, but now it looks like things will be fine. I'm very excited to nail down a cast for this. I have not gotten the name of a single person I wouldn't like to cast, so I fear if I get many more I'm going to run into the same painful situation as I did with To Think of Nothing-- more fantastic people than I can use. The decision maker will probably end up being comparing it to Dave's cast list for Margaret and taking those with smaller parts of who didn't get parts in his show, which was my plan all along.

I also am trying out for a couple of things myself. I found a production of Titus and a production of Romeo and Juliet that have an open call. I wish they weren't this week, as it doesn't leave me a ton of time to prepare, but them's the breaks sometimes. I am not terribly optimistic, as I've tried out for a lot of things this summer that I didn't get in, but you never know unless you try. That is the closest I can get to being hopeful, I suppose, being convinced it's futile but keeping at it anyway. It's probably the only thing keeping my functional, given what a pessimist I really am.

Biweekly Theater Writing Challenge #6 - Subtext scene, Mk2

So in my first packet of playwrighting assignments, I had to write a scene that was supposed to be an exercise in writing subtext. What I generated wasn't really subtext at all, so my teacher made me do it again. This is what I wrote for the second try. I'm afraid its' still not subtext, but maybe I'm at least a little bit closer.

            (AMELIA sits at a table. A doorbell rings.)

AMELIA: It's open!

            (Enter CAROLYN with a paper shopping bag.)

CAROLYN: Hey there!

AMELIA: Hey. What did you bring this week?

CAROLYN: Croissants! Chocolate and plain.

            (She begins unpacking the pastries, and puts a little flower in the vase on the table.)

AMELIA: Ugh. None for me, thanks. I've gotten so fat.

CAROLYN: Oh, come on. You're not fat.

AMELIA: I'm blowing up like a balloon. I'm not getting as much exercise as I used to.

CAROLYN: You still look great. Well, I want one.

            (She serves herself a croissant.)

CAROLYN: So what’s new?

AMELIA: Ah, you know. Same old, same old. You sure you don't have anything better to do with your Sunday morning than come over here week after week?

CAROLYN: Amelia, I'm happy to spend time with you.

AMELIA: You could be sleeping in.

CAROLYN: Honestly, I’d be afraid I’d never see you again.

AMELIA: What do you mean?

CAROLYN: Well… you don’t really want to go out very often anymore.

AMELIA: I’m not feeling like very much fun lately.

CAROLYN: I’m starting to worry about you, hon.

            (AMELIA laughs harshly.)

AMELIA: Thanks for your concern, sweetie, but the damage has already been done.

CAROLYN: It isn’t just that, though. You… you’re not yourself lately, Amelia.

AMELIA: I’m having a hard time right now, in case that isn’t obvious.

CAROLYN: I know. I understand. But it makes me worry about you. You never want to go out to see your friends anymore. Heck, you don’t even seem all that happy when I come over here.

AMELIA: Well, I’m sorry if your weekly pastry delivery doesn’t make it all better for me.

CAROLYN: It’s not like that. It can’t be good for you to withdraw so much.

AMELIA: I don’t want to be around anyone.

CAROLYN: Don’t you think that will make things worse?

AMELIA: Like seeing people will make things better? Hearing about how well the old ballet class is going from Lina and Caitlin? And anytime we want to go somewhere, have it be this whole big pain in the ass to make sure I can get in the front door? I’m sick of always being the elephant in the room.

CAROLYN: You have to live your life.

AMELIA: Live my life? Live my life? My life was ballet class, and going out at night, and shopping with the girls, and not needing a ramp just to leave the house! So tell me, Carolyn, how am I supposed to live my life?

            (CAROLYN is silent.)

AMELIA: I think you should go now. You know the way out. You’ll forgive me if I don’t get up.

            (AMELIA spins her wheelchair and wheels herself out.)

100 Years / Style / East London

Amazing video.



Appeals to my love of costume, dance, history, and creative art pieces.

So much to do

Brain is kind of racing today. I have been ridiculously busy over the last few days, and the time devoted to that stuff has made it so I haven't had the time to do a lot of other stuff that also needs doing. After I get off of work today I will be running over to Jared's house to help him move to Rule 34 in Somerville. It shouldn't be too hard, we will be a crew of four and all we have to room is the contents of a bedroom and a couple boxes of kosher cookware. But there's so much more to do, and stuff that needs to be done now rather than later. I have to cast Oz for its run on the 25th, I have to finish my homework for the upcoming due date, I have to remember to schedule an appointment to renew my prescriptions... and none of it can be put off.

I am going to be the proverbial headless chicken this weekend. So much for enjoying Labor Day.