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Read about my 2nd year in Chicago - 200112/13/00I finished my Level 1a class last Saturday and auditioned for Level 2 yesterday. I found out that I made it this time! Yeah! So it took me two auditions to get into the Conservatory program and two auditions to get into Level 2! I was gonna keep on trying till about the age of 90 so they better be glad they let me in! My new classes start January 6th so it will be a way cool time to start the new year. I also recently finished two workshops at Second City. They were both really informative and fun. I especially enjoyed the "Group Story for the Stage" class with Susan Messing. She is a great teacher and the class came together like a tight ensemble and trusted each other right away. The class was very physical. We were running around the stage like crazy sometimes! I enjoyed the "Text Analysis of Comedy" class with Norm Holly too. It was enlightening to see how the Second City revues are put together. But the class was way too short for my taste. We could have talk about the inner workings of comedy for a whole years worth of classes!
11/21/00Captain's log....star date November 21st....update from the second and final day of shooting: Today was nothing less than amazing. What a learning experience! We started out the day with scenes of me bringing Prince home for the first time. Then my wife and I taking the dog over to my friends house. Apparently, the real dog got loose while in this guy's care. We did a number of cover shots of us driving as well. Lanie and I took a break while they shot scenes of the dog getting loose. Then the director and I drove around while he shot with a digital hand held camera. Basically me looking for the dog and hanging flyers up. It was pretty cool with the camera in the seat next to me. Very "documentary" style. We then broke for a yummy Italian lunch with the whole crew. What a great group of guys. We had fun "chewing the fat." The producer and director were from LA and the crew is a local Chicago group, so it made for a fun and interesting mix. Then it was off to "Tops in Training" in Grayslake, IL. The place where Prince was taken and rehabilitated. Here we shot scenes of Lanie and I looking for our dog in different kennel settings. We also did some shots of me playing with the trained dog as if I had finally found Prince. Then the big, big scene. Me coming to "Tops" and interacting with Jan. The real lady who brought out Prince to the real Rick this past February. The first scene was just me talking to her and her then exiting to get the dog. The final scene was the "reunion" scene. She brings the dog out and I realize that this is my dog. The one that's been missing for two years. The director said that this was the big one and to hit it good. We did two takes and I don't think I hit it like he wanted. Right before I was wrapped, I went to him and asked him if we could do it again. He said sure. We both agreed that more emotion was needed for that scene. He gave me all the time that I needed and some advice and off we went. It went much better I think. I think actors are probably never really satisfied and always think we can do better, but all you can do is your best at that moment and be done with it. It felt pretty weird asking the director and the whole crew to reset everything and then "wait" until I was ready. But the director and everybody were really cool and understood the process. I kinda felt like a dork, but I wanted to do a good job for the director and the show. I thanked each person separately for that take and everyone seemed cool and understanding. Then I was wrapped! I said toodles to everyone and that I hoped to see them again. The director and producer especially seemed please with my work, so maybe I'll see those guys another day. You never know! 11/20/00Captain's log....star date November 20th....update from the first day of shooting: Pretty neato speedo! My call time was 12:00pm and I was wrapped at about 7:00pm. So it wasn't too long of a day. I got to meet the man that I'll be portraying in the episode. That was kinda surreal. I also met his wife and two of his Dobermans. One of the dogs was Prince, the actual dog that was lost but then he was found (that's got a nice ring to it doesn't it). I had a great, great time. The woman playing my wife is someone that I've worked with before. She played my mom in "The Glass Menagerie" for the Joliet Drama Guild. How funny is that! We only shot scenes inside a house today. So we were nice and warm. The scenes were simple things like me watching TV, my wife and I playing with one of the dogs in the kitchen, me coming home from work, etc. It's amazing how long it takes to set up the shots. With the lights and sound and everything, it takes a lot of setup time for a short period of actual taping. It makes for long hours. But it's a process that I absolutely LOVE to watch and be a part of. I dig it BIG TIME! Tomorrow my call is at 7:00am and we are doing a lot of exterior shots. Yikes! I'm gonna freeze my $%@$ off!!! If I'm not frozen to death, I'll update tomorrows Captain's log! 11/19/00
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Today I auditioned for Dear Henry Productions - The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. It was some crazy stuff! Each of the reindeer express their nutso perspective on life as yearly Santa pullers. I should know something by next Wednesday concerning callbacks. We shall see!
I just got back from spending a week in Los Angeles. Man was it awesome! I went there to check the scene out and catch the vibe. Boy did I ever! I definitely want to move there one day. But only after I get everything out of Chicago that I can baby!
Speaking of getting everything I can, in addition to taking my Level 1a class at Second City, I'm taking two workshops starting next week. They're supposed to be pretty awesome. More info below:
Susan
Messing, Instructor -- Actor/director Susan Messing will work your creative
muscles, challenge you to make quick and supportive decisions and help you
create interesting characters and environments in this four-week workshop. This
class will focus on active storytelling from an adult perspective. This is NOT
story theater for children. Powerful, epic, fun and funny, this technique
increases use of the imagination and ensemble-building skills. Susan, a founder
of Annoyance Theater and a Second City Mainstage alumnus, has directed such
acclaimed productions as "What Every Girl Knows: An Ode to Judy Blume"
for Annoyance, "Girls Night Out" for Second City at Theater on the
Lake and "The Miseducation of Dr. Laura" for GayCo Productions. This
master class for experienced actors is open to current or past students in the
IFA or Conservatory programs.
I auditioned for the Second City Training Center's Level 5 writing show yesterday. The director (Rob Chambers) called me soon after the audition and asked me to be a possible alternate. Apparently one of the men might have a scheduling conflict with Thanksgiving. But today Rob called me and said the schedule was worked out so they didn't need me. DOH! I found out later that about 45 people auditioned and they chose 4 men, so once again, I was close. Always the bridesmaid!
I just got back from checking the list of people who made it to Level 2. I didn't make it this time! DOH! I'm kinda bummed but this just means I'll take Level 1a again and audition again. It took me two auditions to get into the Conservatory, so my second time will be a charm!
I just signed with an agent! It's Lily's Talent Agency in downtown Chicago. She's pretty awesome and has a great staff. I already went to my first audition through them. It was for an independent film and I got a callback for the lead. Don't think I got the role though. They were shooting in Dayton, OH and also casting out of Cincinnati. But I'll get the next one baby!
This Tuesday I audition for Level 2 at The Second City Conservatory. If I make it through this, it will be the last audition for the Conservatory program. In Levels 2 - 5 you end up doing shows with your class. So that's pretty cool.
I finished the workshop with Bruce Jarchow, Tim Kazurinsky and David Pasquesi. It was very different from other workshops. We did some great scene work in that class. It's the type of stuff I'll definitely use in the future.
This
past weekend I visited Frederick, Maryland to see my old theatre's production of
"True West." It was extremely well done. The show was brilliantly
directed and acted. The show has a special place in my heart because Tad
(who played Lee) and I worked on a scene from that show in my first acting
class. Man was I horrible in that scene!
And back here in Chicago I began a three week workshop today with Bruce Jarchow, Tim Kazurinsky and David Pasquesi called Organic Comedy. It was pretty amazing tonight. I'm really looking forward to the next two weeks. They are all alumni of Second City so it's a great opportunity to take a class from these guys. Bruce and Tim even got on stage and improvised with us. Below is the class info from The Second City website.
Jarchow, Kazurinsky & Pasquesi Teach Chicago Workshop - (8/28/00)
Alumni Bruce Jarchow, Tim Kazurinsky and David Pasquesi are teaming up to teach a three-week workshop at the Second City Training Center in Chicago. Led by Bruce, with assistance by Tim and David, the class titled Organic Comedy will focus on allowing students to tap into their own personalities through improvisation. By trusting themselves and focusing on their partners (and not the audience), the students will experience an organic sense of comedy. The teachers will use improvisation, games and exercises to help students develop interesting, memorable characters.
"The Merry Wives of Windsor" closed a couple of weeks ago. It was a good show with a great cast and crew. At first I didn't want to drive all the way to Elgin to do the show, but once we got going I was really happy that I did it. It was a pretty cool role and I met some good contacts. The rumor is they may do "Romeo and Juliet" next year. That would be a good show to audition for. We shall see!
I'm currently in the middle of my Level 1A class for Second City. The teacher (Michael Gellman) is well respected here in Chicago and all around the country. He travels and teaches improv workshops. I was lucky enough to take a couple when I lived back in Frederick, so I feel like I have an edge on what's he's teaching. He has a very distinct style of teaching and he holds no punches. It's good to get direct notes that are right to the point. I have to audition in order to go on to Level 2 and that's on October 3rd so wish me luck!
I'm currently considering signing with an agent. They say they like me and think I have a great character look. I'm not going to get too excited yet though. In about a week, I'll go in for a reading. We'll see how that goes!
For the past three days I've been picketing with the SAG/AFTRA strike. They have a program setup for non-union people to help out on the picket lines for 80 hours and then they'll have the opportunity to join SAG. Joining SAG is something I want to do, but being able to help out my fellow actors is the main reason I want to do this. I've also met some really cool people that I'm sure will be good contacts in the future. And maybe even a possible agent! Woo hoo! If the strike ends before I get my 80 hours in, I won't be able to join under that program, but who cares then! The strike will be over! I'll join another day baby!
On other news, I'm about to start tech week and we open "The Merry Wives of Windsor" next Thursday. Rehearsals are going well and this will definitely be a good show. So I'm happy about that!
Here's me striking a pose for their online newsletter. Ain't I
cute?
I just got cast in Talisman Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park 2000 series! The show is "The Merry Wives of Windsor." I'll be playing the role of George Page. He's one of the two husbands who's wives Falstaff is chasing after. I think this is going to be a fun show to be in and I'm looking forward to it. The show runs August 3rd - 12th (Thursdays through Sundays at 8:00 pm). We start our first rehearsal this week. I hope you can make it to the show! Click here for directions and click here to visit their website.
I just started my advanced class with The Annoyance Theatre today. It was so far the best class I've had in Chicago. Mick gave each person specific notes and held no punches. It was pretty awesome. I can tell that I'm going to like this class a lot - Big Time!
Next Wednesday is the callback audition for "Merry Wives of Windsor." The director asked me to look at the roles of Falstaff and Host. That's a good sign, but you never know. We shall see!
Here are pictures of one of our rehearsals for the play reading.
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Over the shoulder of Jim Hinton, Shelly Gaza (Left), Mary Hatch and Trent (Center) in rehearsal check to see how the
Hostage of these unlikely bank robbers is doing. |
Alex Blatt (Left) Rehearses with David Hain. Ross (Blatt) has come in to turn the tables on these Robbers. |
Ross attempts to handle the situation which is madly spinning out of control.
Pictured (left to right): Shelly Gaza, Jim Hinton, Trent, Richard Phal and
Alex Blatt. |
This past Thursday was the staged play reading for "Random Theft and Other Acts" by John David Westby. I've done a play reading before while just sitting in chairs, but this was actually the first time that I had done one with a little staging. It was a fun and challenging experience. I got to meet new people and get exposed to a new theatre.
We got some pretty good press in the local paper before the show as you can see below:
Below is another article after the play reading.
Talisman troupe stages pilot of 'Random'
By George RawlinsonELGIN -- At its essence, winning theater should be simple, direct and human, creating those moments of choice that commit characters to moral codes and whole ways of life.
Talisman Theatre's pilot staging of Random Theft and Other Acts at Prairie Rock Brewery on Thursday night beautifully captured the mind-set of small-time bank robbers caught in a world of thwarted dreams, romantic entanglements and American morality gone bad.
How, why and what become moments of recognition.
Elgin native John David Westby's first-rate script was smart and spirited, his story line imbued with prickly humor and dynamic dialogue.
All in all, the play was charged with enough energy to power an electric chair.
Pilot readings such as Thursday night's give audience members a chance to interact with playwrights and performers. Actors are without costume or stage effect, with the presentation pared down to book in hand.
To succeed, such daring theater necessitates a skillful cast, and Talisman Artistic Director Mark Hardiman assembled one worthy of applause.
The mesmerizing Mary Hatch gave her Martie an equal measure of sentimentality and suppressed rage.
Jim Hinton, Richard Pahl, Shelly Gaza, Alex Blatt, David Hain, Sarah Goldman and Trent added vividness and meaning, packing their parts with artistic punch and precision.
Talisman Theatre will present another pilot reading at 8 p.m. Saturday night in the Visual and Performing Arts Center of Elgin Community College.
Saturday's production, Onto Infinity, was written by Hoffman Estates playwright David Alex.
Tickets are $12 and are available by calling (847) 622-0300.
I auditioned for a play reading and got the part! It's with the Talisman Theatre. They may also use me in their production of "Merry Wives of Windsor," part of their Shakespeare in the Park series. Over the past couple of weeks, I auditioned for two other theatres but didn't get the Fox Valley Shakespeare Festival (Borealis Theater Company) or the Euripides' Greek tragedy Alcestis (Realism Update Theatre) . So one gig out of three auditions is pretty good odds I think. If it isn't, I'm convincing myself that it is anyway...hee...hee.
June 15th - "Random Theft and Other Acts" by John David Westby directed by artistic director, Mark Hardiman. At the Rialto Room at Prairie Rock Brewing Company. Due to popular demand, this Fargoesque comedy returns this year with new vigor. An unlikely collection of amateur bank robbers regroups after a successful bank heist with unpredictable results.
I play "Ham" which is short for Hamilton. He's a cross between a bad ass and someone with a good heart. He also seems to always look for love in all the wrong places. I think this gig is going to be a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to it!
I just finished my second round of classes at Annoyance Theatre with Joe Bill. That was an awesome class. I had a great time and learned some good stuff. He's a great teacher with a good eye when it comes to improvisers. My next class will be with Mick Napier in their advanced session. Speaking of classes, I started my Conservatory training at Second City last night. My teacher is Tim O'Malley and I've heard all kinds of good stuff about him. The other people are cool and I can tell this is going to be a really good class.
The Comedy Pig Anniversary show was pretty cool. It was nice to see the old gang and to do a show with them. It was a packed house and a really good show! I can't wait for next year!
From the audition front, I didn't get The Navy Pier gig. They called and said that they may want to use me later in the year, so we shall see. I also have an audition for The Fox Valley Shakespeare Festival tomorrow. They are doing "Taming of the Shrew" and "Julius Caesar." So that would be fun to do. I think it's going to be tough to get through that audition, because they want only about 8 to 9 people to do both shows! Fun, fun, fun!
I
just auditioned this past Thursday for "A Piering Daily" at The
Navy Pier which is pretty close to my house. I saw an ad for an improv
troupe that performs from the end of May through September. They do five
to six shows a day Friday through Tuesday and it sounds like a cool gig.
The audition went pretty well and I was asked to stay afterwards for a
callback. That went well too I think. They are only hiring
understudies right now and I should find out soon if I'm hired. It's also
supposed to pay pretty well so we shall see.
I also just got a call from "Phoenix Rising Theatre Company." The director said she wanted to cast me in their traveling show. She has my headshot and resume from my initial mailing when I first got here. It's a show called "The Case of The Three Little Pigs." It travels around to schools and libraries and is scripted a little but mostly improv. It sounds fun and also pays pretty well. I might do it, but I need to see what happens with the improv gig first.
Speaking of improv! I'm heading to Frederick this week to do the "Pig Anniversary" show and I can't wait! I'm really looking forward to hanging with the old gang and doing the show. When I get back I'll be finishing up my second class at Annoyance Theatre and starting my Conservatory classes at The Second City Training Center. I'm really looking forward to those classes.
This must be the season for good news! Of course it's got to be all down hill from here (just kidding). I received my acceptance letter from The Second City Training Center today. This was my second time auditioning so the fact that my lucky numbers are 2 & 22 must have helped (I really didn't want to audition 22 times though!) I'll now begin the advanced or "Conservatory" training and my class starts on May 18th. Just in time to get back from the "Pig Anniversary" show. So now I'm in a pretty good mood. Of course, I'm always in a pretty good mood anyway, but this doesn't hurt!
Well, I've now seen my mug on TV. Damn, I'm not as good looking as I thought! Of course it could have been because that channel comes in fuzzy on my set. In the "Early Edition" episode, I was worried about my TV extra debut only being my arm or something. I actually saw myself in the kitchen scene (just my back - chopping cabbage), then in the circle of actors of the theatre and finally in the audience for the play. Each scene was only a couple of seconds though, so luckily this isn't what I want to do forever. Oh wait...hee...hee.
Next up for me is the role of Tom in The Glass Menagerie. Performances are April 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 8:00 p. m. and April 16 & 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the Joliet Bicentennial Park Theatre. Call (815) 722-1001 for ticket reservations or more information. I hope you can make it!
**This just in!** The "Early Edition" episode that I think you'll have the best chance to catch me in is Saturday, April 8th, 8:00 p.m. eastern time on CBS. Look for the scene with a group of actors doing a circle acting exercise. Ex-Chicago police detective Marion Crumb will break up the circle and he breaks in between me and my acting partner. I haven't seen it yet so it could just be my arm. Who knows? Click here for their website: "Early Edition"
The audition for the touring company was pretty cool. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be. I think each time I do the audition (once a year), it will got better. It's going to take a long time before I get into Second City though. Some people audition for five to ten years. I'm learning that this is going to be a tough egg to crack. But hey, if you practice long enough, you can crack an egg with one hand without making a mess. So, I'll keep trying and I like eating eggs.
I'm continuing my extra work. Still having fun doing
that. The next episode for Early
Edition that I'm in is called "Max Swartz, Bounty Hunter."
But I'm just walking on a street on that one. You might be able to see my
coat and that's about it...hee...hee. I've done a bunch of The Judge
Mathis shows as well. Man there are a bunch of weirdoes out there that
come to his show.
The best news so far is me getting cast as Tom in "The Glass Menagerie" for the Joliet Drama Guild. It's a non-paying gig and a little southwest of Chicago, but I figure for a Tennessee William's classic and a great role it will be worth it. So far rehearsals are going well and I think this is going to be a great show. The show runs from April 14 - 23. From a callback audition, I was offered an ensemble role in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" but I had to turn that down because of scheduling. It was pretty cool though. It's the first role that I had to turn down, so it was kind of a weird feeling.
I've finished the beginning class at Annoyance and I start the intermediate on Monday. I am really looking forward to that class. It's with Joe Bill, one of the founders of the theatre. At this point, my plan is to complete the levels at Annoyance and then start the program at ImprovOlympic.
I didn't get into the Conservatory Program at Second City. Shucks! I'll continue to audition until I get in though. That's one of the reason's I'm here! I finished the Audition Workshop with Anne Libera. What a great class! I learned a whole lot about Second City and the touring company. I don't think anyone can read any book and learn what we did in that class. I'm signed up to audition for the touring company on March 7th. From what I hear, they aren't hiring anyone right now, but it will still be great experience.
I've been doing a lot of extra work. I've been an audience member on the Judge Mathis show a number of times and also a couple of different things for Early Edition. I've played a theatre group actor, a chef and a theatre patron. The episode that I'll be in is called "The Play's the Thing." It's episode #418. The show is on CBS, Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. (eastern). It won't be on for another 4 - 8 weeks though. I'll try to let everyone know when it will be on.
Tomorrow I audition for "The Glass Menagerie" at the Joliet Drama Guild. They buzzed me from my mailing and I thought I'd give it a shot. We shall see!
I auditioned for the Conservatory Program at Second City last Friday. I think it went well, but who knows! We are supposed to hear something by 2/16/00. If I don't get in this time, the next audition is about ten weeks away and I'll give it another shot then.
Classes at Annoyance are going well. It's definitely a "different" style there, but I'm enjoying myself.
I also just started a four week audition workshop on 02/03/00 at Second City with Anne Libera. The class is pretty awesome! The whole class centers around auditioning for the Touring Company at Second City! So that is very cool. Something I would definitely like to do in the future!
I moved here on Sunday January 16, 2000. I have a really nice, albeit small, studio in Lincoln Park. I always wanted to use the word albeit in a sentence. Second City and Steppenwolf are ten minutes one way and ImprovOlympic and Annoyance are ten minutes the other way. It's an amazing location with stores and shops everywhere. I'm close enough to downtown to enjoy it's proximity, but not too close to be overrun with it's madness. Lake Michigan is a block or so the other way so I feel very lucky with this pad!
The second day I got here I started my first class at Annoyance and the first week I was here I saw a show at Second City and the garage theatre at Steppenwolf. Both very good shows!
Next up is an audition workshop that I've signed up for at Second City starting on 2/3/00. I then have an audition for the advanced program at Second City on 2/4/00. Wish me luck!
Since I started acting I always knew that I would eventually leave Frederick and continue my training elsewhere. In December of 1998 I visited Steve in Chicago where he's studying at DePaul University as a performance major in the DePaul School of Music. Besides hanging out with my bud, it was basically a test to see if that was were I was moving to next. It didn't even take the flight there to convince me that's where I was ending up. Chicago is awesome and perfect for the next phase in my acting career.
My plan is to take classes at The Second City, ImprovOlympic, The Annoyance Theatre, and other cool improv places that I find. On the acting side, I'm going to apply for the chance to audition for an acting internship at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and find some other cool acting classes at other theatres. I'll start auditioning as soon as possible trying to do improv and acting. There are many local improv groups and a plethora of non-equity theatres.
Don't worry, I'm not thinking "here I go world, I'm going to be famous now!" That would be nuts! I'm here to continue my training in improv and acting and to start the VERY long road of auditioning until my door knocking hands fall off.
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