Inspiration Strikes

So you know that one of the ways to get work in the theatre world is to make the work for yourself. Of course this usually means you do NOT get paid, but you do get to do something, be creative, potentially network, ad a resume credit etc... So my recent burst of inspiration lies in Outdoor Theatre. Ok, well that's not exactly what I mean. What I mean is that I've been thinking, if I can find a script (like Shakespeare) where I do not have to pay rights because it's in the public domain ... AND ... I can find / hire actors to perform ... AND ... I can get (hopefully at a nothing or next-to-nothing fee) the local town park to give me a performance permit ... THEN ... perhaps, just perhaps I can direct something in my local town this summer and let people attend FOR FREE! Costing me and my audience nothing but time. So ... now it's a script hunt 'cause I'm pretty sure I don't want it to be a Shakespeare play (but you never know).

Ok ... that is all.

Applications

Today's Applications:

1. I just sent off an application for a Teaching Artist Position in Bremerton, Washington. The guy I sent my stuff to has worked with my friend who's in Seattle, in fact she's the one who gave me the job information to begin with. It's for a good portion of the month of July ... we'll see what happens.

More ... TBA

*I had to resend my cv to the application above as I accidentally sent my ipages version and not the doc version, but it's kind of good news really, as it means he's interested in it. :o) (6/2/'11)

Later the same day ... I got back a response, and as it turns out the guy who I've submitted my resume to is also an Alum of New Paltz, small world! He said "Let's talk!" Positive vibes ya'll!!!

No Show

Well we're all human and we all make mistakes.
Breath M, breath. (Hahaha???!!!)

So, I get up and get ready for my 10am interview, I get all my Drama Kids stuff together because if I'm using a tank of gas to get to Albany I'm not going to go home in between that and my DK classes this evening (which means yes, finding "something{s}" to do in Albany from post interview time frame to DK Class). I don't take a sub job (that's a loss of 80 bucks). And I get on my way. I arrive early. I park (which ends up costing $3.00) and sit in a park reading my book - which is the second in the Percy Jackson Series now. Then, with 10 minutes remaining before my interview time, I go over to the theatre. I enter, I ask the girl in the office if the guy I'm supposed to be meeting is in and she says he's not in yet, so I sit and wait. Time goes by. It's now 10:12am and I go use the ladies room. I come back and wait some more. I ask if I've, somehow, "missed" him coming in. The response is no that they think he's double booked some appointments (though I got the feeling she was holding herself back from blatantly saying he'd forgotten about my interview). She did say that her boss had texted him to see where he was and got no response. I wait a little bit more. It's now 10:30am and leave him a quick note with my name and number. Then I wait a few more minutes. Then I leave, telling the gal that I'll be in "the albany area" all day but that I do also have work this afternoon, so if he should arrive at the theatre he can call me and I might be able to make it back over.

I do all this with a smile on my face of course, after all we are all human and make mistakes and sometimes over book ourselves. BUT I'm still a bit hurt. This is a reputable theatre, professional, and there's a part of me that doesn't understand how you can book an interview and then not show up to hold said interview. But I digress ... hopefully I'll hear from him and can re-schedule.

And now we wait (I hate waiting)!

Right, so now I'm at a Starbucks drinking a Venti Caramel Frap, mmm mmm mmmmmmmmm! And onto some applying etc...

~M

Soldiering On

Got the skinny on the job that's become, or about to become, available at the Theatre in Seattle (I'm not mentioning which one so that I can keep the info to myself, selfish me, muwahahahahahaaaaaa!!!!!)!

And I've done some recon on Cap Rep for my interview tomorrow - WISH ME LUCK!!!!

Anyhoo, I keep on soldiering on ... new jobs to apply for, all over the nation (and beyond???!!!) ... we'll see what else I can get done tomorrow, application wise.

And Happy Memorial Day!

Headache weather has set in and so that is all for now, must try to sleep it away! I feel like my brains are going to explode out from behind my right eye, possibly through my right temple. The sinus track headaches I can get, at times of major weather pattern changes, pretty much totally suck, especially when they lodge themselves behind my eyes! Growl to you sinus'ness.

Goodnight!

Good at what?

Did you ever feel like you're pretty good at a lot of things and not very good at anything? I do, sometimes. It's strange because I also know it's not true. I know that I am a VERY good stage manager and director. But I'm also "pretty good" at a bunch of other things.

I can and love to cook.
I can take, and love to, a good photo.
I can, and want to learn it better, play the guitar.
I can scrapbook ... and could probably even do it for someone I don't know, if they gave me the information to go with the photos.
I can, though I don't speak any but my native tongue fluently, pick up languages pretty easily.
I can handle a classroom of kids.
I can handle kids ... nanny etc...
I can, at least I'm getting better at it, garden / landscape (sort of, if you count helping my folks "landscape" the yard).
I can ... I can ... I can ...

Sometimes I wonder if I went into the right profession when I stop to think of the other things I'm pretty good at, what if I'd studied one of these in college? How different would my life be? Eh...and then I think of the times when I'm working on a show and sitting in the theatre and I can just feel it in my bones that I'm in the right profession.

Anyhoooo ... somehow this ties in with another thought that's been floating around in my brain ... will I ever feel like an adult? I mean, sometimes I wonder if I'll ever really feel like an adult, and then I have a conversation about gas prices, or how the winter weather really killed the roads (pot holes etc...) and realize that no child would utter those kinds of thoughts (most likely anyhoo). It's a silly line of thought, I know, but still it's one I ponder sometimes. Does anyone ever feel like an adult? Like they really know what they are doing? Will I look in the mirror one day, with grey hair and wrinkles and still feel like a 16 year old running about - at least on the inside? Interesting to ponder ...

Anyhoo (seemed like I needed another one of those) ... no applying yesterday or today, too busy enjoying the sunshine and gardening with my folks ... it is a holiday weekend after all. :o)

Do have to ring my friend in Seattle tomorrow re:job opportunity as well as bone up on Capital Rep for my interview on Tuesday.

And now ... my fingers are tired. TTFN!

Photographer Me?!?!

So how cool is this?

Two cousins of mine have asked me to do some photography "work" for them.
One would like me to take his headshot's, which will be fun!
And the other would like me to do a "family photo shoot" of her, her husband and kids. Also fun!!! (She actually asked me how much I'd charge, not much if anything to start at least...but something to ponder)

Perhaps I could freelance?

We'll see what happens!

Oh, and if anyone reading this wants me to do some photography for them, hit me up!!! We can negotiate fees and what not. :)

Internet's Restored!

Woo hoo!

And now I can get too the several applications for several jobs I've found, and get my info out to as many places in Seattle as possible - who knows what I might be able to interview for while I'm out there this summer?! In fact, a friend just told me that one of the larger regional theatre's out there is about to post a job opening ... we shall see what happens.

In other news, it's finally been sunny for a few days IN A ROW and not so dreary and rainy! Ahhhh, I do love the sunshine, and being able to sit outside with my book and a cup of coffee (or wine, whatever)!

Oh and last night I cooked Boeuf Borguiguin (I may have spelled that incorrectly) from Julia Child's "Mastering..." and it was AWESOME! The smells that filled the kitchen ... mmm mmm good! It is a rather long meal to prep however, I think I started at 2:20pm and we didn't eat until 7'ish and I could have left the dish in the oven for another half hour to hour. But I was hungry! Hahaha!!! Mom and Dad both loved it, and though one shouldn't I'm a'gonna toot my own horn, 'cause it was GOOD! (See what all you men are missing out on???) Dad actually said it felt like being back in his Mom's house, in the way she used to cook. Cool! (Sometimes I think I could have been a chef. Though I hear that getting a good job in a nice restaurant isn't any easier than landing a directing job that pays. Sigh...)

Gonna buy some flowers today ... read some more ... apply a few places ... and enjoy the beginning of a Sunny Memorial Day Weekend!

:o)

Connections etc...

So, I've just been asked if I could/would SM a show that will be in the Berkshire Fringe with someone that was a part of the WAM festival I worked on. I don't know if the dates and all will work out, we'll see, but it's awesome to be asked!!!

Connections baby!!!

Temporarily Internetly Homeless

Ok that's a totally made up (word and) title!

The reality of it however, is that I've been without the internet for the past two and a half days at home (internet and the home phone actually, and we've yet to discover the reason for this outage) ... not counting my cell phone. What this means ... that I've been able to respond to emails etc., but I've not really been able to job hunt or apply for anything over the past few days.

Of course I haven't ceased to function entirely, haha, like some people might. But it is interesting to feel the lack of connectivity in a place one presumes they should have service. I mean, when you know you're not going to be able to get online ... well you know it so you've likely prepared for it. However, when you're without and you didn't know it would be the case, well isn't that "just" when you want to go online to check this or that ... to apply to a job ... to respond to an email more elaborately than patience on a blackberry might dictate? Hahaha! But I digress. Despite the fact that it is actually SUNNY out today, a weather pattern that has been missing the past two weeks here in UpState NY (it's been down right shite for weather lately, over cast and stormy with LOTS of rain), I'm now at a free wifi Starbucks enjoying a Grande Caramel Frap and some internets!!! :o)

I will now go in search of jobs to apply for ... see if there's anything I've got that I can apply for while I'm here (I have Drama Kids in another hour) ... and check some emails, and rather obviously, write up this here post.

Oh and just so you know, not that you really care (oiy, haha), but I haven't just been sitting on my butt at home. I'm reading a new book called "The Magicians", I've had Drama Kids classes, and I've sorted out the summer job overlap, well sort of. I've had to give up the one week job 'here' directing 'Oliver' over the summer. The positive note is that my friend in Seattle might be able to get me 3 more weeks of work. 1 more with the camp I'm already working at in August, and another two with another organization ... details to come ... and cross your fingers 'cause it's great pay!

Ok ... now onto other things.

10 Years Later

Congratulations to my cousin, he's graduating from College today, and not just any college but my Alma Mater! (Is it mater or matar?) And not only is he graduating from the same University as me but he's graduating from the same department, the Theatre Department, AND it's "exactly" 10 years later! Bizarrely cool!

This makes me feel proud and some what nostalgic and old. Not OLD old, but old. I mean, what have I done over the past 10 years? Have I made a positive contribution to the world, to the world of theatre? 10 years since I graduated from SUNY New Paltz! Damn, where did the time go?

And now, not that I don't ask this question every single day of my life, but when surrounded by a graduation it's all the more "pressing" ... what's next??? This is very quickly dwindling into a woe is me diatribe so I shall cut it off here and now.

Congrats to my cuz!

~M

I'm a donkey!

So, the NY Classical Theatre gig I submitted myself for called to set up an interview, and I'm the donkey who read the ad incorrectly thinking the start date was July 6th which is the performance start date, the rehearsal start date is June 6th. When I called the guy back, just now, he sounded super positive about me, wanting to interview in the next day or so ... this is when I realized my mistake. Telling him I'm working upstate and that I've got end of the year performances with Drama Kids keeping me busy for the next couple of weeks (I'm not done for the year until June 5th, the last day of our performances), but that I could interview over the phone. He sounded like he was in a mad hurry because I barely got that out when he sort of cut me off saying he'd save my resume for another project. Hopefully that's true and they'll call me back for a different job in the future.

It was such a hopeful feeling so quickly dashed into a NO. I don't know, perhaps I should call him back or email him back saying that I'd be done on the 5th and could start rehearsals that Monday the 6th, but I just can't make it in for an in person interview so a phone interview would work ... ???!!!

Have I ever mentioned that I hate gig overlaps, especially when putting out applications for new jobs ... my current job overlaps, just barely, making me a no go for this PSM gig in NYC .... I really do hate overlaps, hahaha!!!

For real though, timing issues are really bringing me down right now. Not just this no but the other summer gig overlap that I've been sort of putting off sorting out this week, the one towards the end of the summer ... argh! I really need to make up my mind on this one and the decision isn't an easy one to make. The job that overlaps and "made the mistake" isn't willing and or able to adjust the dates so I have to decide to lose this job entirely or to give up one week of the other job. The one is really good money and a good resume credit / the other, the one where I'd lose a week, is with a reputable theatre company, also great resume credit and a friend worked really hard to get me the job ... easy decision, right?! Not to mention the fact that I don't know what would happen if I backed out of one week where my friend has gotten me work. Would they be able to fill that week with another director/teacher? Would I lose all three weeks if I back out of one? ARGH! I hate decisions like this, for all my "strength" and "courage" ... I f'ing HATE decisions like this!

And still no interview set up for the Cap Rep position, our phone tag and my email still haven't resulted in a connection to set up the interview. I seriously hope this doesn't turn into a no as well, at least not before I interview for the position.

For the moment, that's all...gonna go find other things to apply for and contemplate recontacting the NY Classical Theatre ...

The O Solo Fest Has Closed

Sunday the 15th was our last set of performances with the "O Solo Mama Mia Festival" and it went well! All shows, no matter how big or not so big the audience size was, were very well received. And everyone was great to work with, and I mean that! Everyone had a nice demeanor and attitude and was really a joy to work with.

Strike followed and was actually pretty quick!

I crashed out on the sofa when I got home by 9pm ... crashed and crashed hard! Hahaha!

And now it's back to job searching ... and phone tag with Cap Rep trying to set up this Stage Manager's interview ... and figuring out the date snafoo for this summer's gigs (though I'm pretty sure how it'll work out ... grumble grumble grumble)!

Yesterday I resumed Drama Kidding ... we're close to the end of the year performances and so it's rehearsal mode in class, which is fun and stressful (so many classes with the same two shows with some lines adjusted here and there, and co-teaching means things that were one way one week being adjusted and such ... but it's all good) haha! Teaching the rest of the week as well so I've gotta get script updates out of my email, and prepared for tonight's classes.

Und that's all ... for the moment.

Connections. Connections. Connections.

Knock on wood folks. (I guess sometimes I am sort of superstitious...)
Working with WAM Theatre is awesome! The company is really great, the women (and men) involved are lovely passionate theatre makers. And the women in this festival, the playwrights and actresses (as in some cases they are not the same person and in others they are) are really talented and lovely!

As you already know, from reading previous blog entries, that I've gotten info from the lovely producers on two possible stage manager gigs for the future. Woo hoo! (Of course that's partly how this industry works. Work for one company/show and if you've done a good job it's HIGHLY likely they'll pass your name along to others ... or tell you of places to apply ... or perhaps even hire you again.)

Plus, all the actors have given me high praise as a good SM. (Phew ... haha!) And who knows, the fact that they have one woman shows could lead to future gigs as SM or perhaps even a director ... or they might know someone / company / show who's looking and pass my name along.

At any rate, I finally feel (after two years back in the states) that I'm making some headway in my field. (Again. That whole "had a good network in NYC then left for Grad School where I made another good network and then left it to come home ... well yeah, again!)

Ok ... that's all for now.

THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE "O Solo Mama Mia Festival" with WAM Theatre in Pittsfield, MA ...
www.wamtheatre.com

Application

Ok, totally weird ... (oh and you must time machine yourself to yesterday) yesterday I posted an application I had sent out and the post is no where to be found. BIZZARO!!!

So, yesterday I applied too:

1. New York Classic Theatre, for a stage managers position for their summer production of "Henry V". Und now ve vait (again).

AND

I'm playing phone tag with the person who'll schedule my interview for the local theatre's resident stage manager position, perhaps I can get a hold of him now. (PS...that's a negative, another tag your it message has been left.)

I'm on my lunch break for the "O Solo...Festival", which is going really well. I think our opening night audience here in Pittsfield, last night, outnumbered (or was close to doing so) the total amount of audience members for the whole weekend in Troy. Silly Troy'ians, you missed out! BUT, you could still see most of the shows if you get in your little cars and come out to the loverly Berkshires! We've got two solo shows tonight starting at 7:30pm. All four shows are on tomorrow - two starting at 2pm and another two starting at 7:30pm. And finally, the final two shows on Sunday at 2pm. SO, come check it out!!!

Ok, that's all for the moment.

Today's Application (oh yeah)

I feel some what on the ball this morning, having just sent an application out for a Stage Manager's position with a company in NYC. It's for New York Classical Theatre's upcoming production of Shakespeare's "Henry V".

Und now we wait! ;o)

I might get another one or two out today, you never can tell.

Most Boring Blog Ever ...

This really is the most boring blog ever ..... and I'm not even sure it's doing what I had intended it to do (applications/no's). Sigh.

No.

There will be no applications today, unless I can find a wireless cafe ... so ... until then, ruminate on this, I'm staying in an apartment in MA that's being renovated and I forgot to bring a blanket ... YIPES! I've got the sheets, thank goodness. Maybe the car blanket doesn't smell like trunk and is clean (probably not). Hmmmm...what to do?!

It's now 11:15am here in overcast Pittsfield, MA and I've found a Panera that has wireless, woot woot!!!

I've found a few jobs for which I can work on appropriate cover letters and then apply to (I will at least start that process today, hahahaha), so stay tuned. I know you're totally on the edge of your seats, the five of you who follow this blog (or more likely the two of you who really do). Sigh. Hahaha.

Getting the Storefront Theatre Ready

You read that title correctly folks. The "O Solo Mama Mia Festival's" second weekend is in a space that we transformed into a theatre, or as theatre-y as possible. Woo hoo! Today we put some of the final touches on as we start our in the space tech's tomorrow evening!

The shows are running this Thursday the 12th of May thru this Sunday the 15th of May. Tickets are selling well so ... COME SEE!!!

Let me know if you want more info ... or go to:

www.wamtheatre.com

And that is all for now!

Setting up an Interview

I got a phone call today from the "local" theatre where I applied for the Resident Stage Manager's position, they want to set up an interview! Whoo hooo!!! I got a message and called them back and had to leave a message and haven't yet heard back, so the interview isn't set up, YET! :o)

Week One Equals Done

The "O Solo...Festival" has finished it's week in Troy ... what a theatre! Haha. It gave me the "best" bruise I've ever had on my left thigh. Sigh. (I'm a poet now.) Let's leave it at the fact that it had its ups and DOWNS. :o) At any rate, week one is now done. ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT FOLKS!!! So come on out to Pittsfield, MA to see (two or all four) of the festivals wicked (oh yeah, I'm using the MA lingo) solo performances!

From the 12th to the 15th you can see:

"My Salvation Has A First Name: A Wienermobile Journey" written and performed by Robin Gelfenbien
"Performing Therapy" written and performed by Camilla Schadde
"How To Be A Lesbian in 10 Days or Less" written and performed by Leigh Hendrix
and
"Stories From Hell or High Water" by Jamuna Sirker and performed by Richarda Abrams

We'd love to have larger audiences this week (small though they were this week, the audience members we had were really great)!

www.wamtheatre.com

Oh yeah...I'm the Stage Manager! :o)

AND...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Grumble grumble grumble ...

I hate it when emails / phone calls / discussions et. al. go awry and something that was supposed to work out smoothly ends up being super problematic, forcing me to make a tough decision!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-OWL!

There's been a date sna-foo (so totally not a word, but I'm using it anyway) with a job I'm supposed to have, a job that I want and it now conflicts with another job that I have and want (and it wasn't supposed too, and to the best of my knowledge/recollection, it's not my fault). ARRRRRRGH!

Grumble grumble grumble!!!

A Solo Show???

All these fabulous one woman shows are inspiring me ... three of them come from the actresses personal experiences, one is from the playwrights actual experience and the last is fictional (but also awesome). These shows, these women and their talents are making me look at my life and see if there isn't something I could turn into a one woman show.

Of course then there's the issue of "do I perform it?" or does someone else? (Someone else, hahahaha...who knows.)

At any rate ... to date the only play I've written is about personal experience, so ... we'll see what happens. There's a lot of that isn't there, seeing what will happen???!!! ;o)

Flavour Cafe in Troy, NY is a great place to get a good cup of coffee and some good food!

That's all ...

Second Day of "O Solo" Shows

Our Friday night performances went loverly!!!
Technical issues from the previous night all sorted, oh yeah!

And last night I chatted with a lovely lady who knows the people where I recently submitted my second SM resume ... she said she was going to talk to them for me as well, woo hoo!!!! We'll see what happens. :o)

And a HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO MY FABULOUS NIECE!!!

WAM "O Solo Mama Mia Festival" Up and Running

Hey Ya'll ... five of you! :o)

The WAM 'O Solo Mama Mia' Festival that I'm stage managing is up and running!
We had a successful opening night last night, complete with sound cues whose speaker connection wouldn't work, but an actress who rocked it out anyway.

The festival is in Troy, NY this weekend with four more show times.

7:30 tonight - "My Salvation Has A First Name: A Wienermobile Journey" and "How To Be A Lesbian in 10 Days or Less"

Tomorrow 2pm - "Paris 1890: Unlaced!" and "How To Be A Lesbian in 10 Days or Less" / 7:30pm - "Performing Therapy" and "Paris 1890: Unlaced!"

Sunday the 8th at 2pm - "Performing Therapy" and "Paris 1890: Unlaced!"

And then we move to Pittsfield, MA for the 12th - 15th with:
"My Salvation Has A First Name: A Wienermobile Journey"
"How To Be A Lesbian in 10 Days or Less"
"Performing Therapy"
and
"Stories From Hell and High Water"

COME CHECK IT OUT!!!

Application of The Day ... and Tech!

So I got wind of another Equity SM job to apply for, word of mouth, from working with WAM. WOO HOO!!! It's for a summer show at Lake George Dinner Theatre (I believe), so I sent my resume off and now we wait.

Networking ... it's all about the networking ... oh, and knowing how to do your job! ;o) But the networking is tres tres importante! (Duh, right!?!)

Also, today was our first tech day for WAM's "O Solo Mama Mia Festival" ... and despite some venue quirks, it went really well! More tech tomorrow and Thursday followed by our opening on Thursday night!

SO, COME SEE THE SHOW(S) YA'LL!!!

Finis, for now!

May's Blog Gimmick

ps...get back in your time machine as this post comes from yesterday May 1st as well.

This Months Gimmick:
For the month of May I will do a Friday Night Booze-a-hol Post ... taking the idea from my brother ... it will be a "new" drink each week, I'll find it, make it and tell ya how it is. Oh and I'll leave you a nice recipe for it on here as well.

Anyone interested in putting forth drink options for me to try, please do ... this Friday will be the first ...

~M

Happy May!

This is "yesterday's" post ... so get in your time machines and go back a few hours.

Over the weekend I got word that a local theatre is going to be needing a new equity SM soon and so I put fort my resume and desire for the job. The response was positive and I'll hopefully hear back from them again later this month in to have an interview - I HOPE, PLEASE!!!

The really cool news is that I've met the artistic director already, when working on another show and she remembers me!!! WOO HOO!!!

So, you may now step out of your time machine and turn into a pretzel (in other words, cross all your fingers for me) of luck for me!!! ;o)

And that is all for the moment.