Au Revoir!

Well, we're off tomorrow in the am. Our final show tonight was our largest and most receptive house. All in all, it's been a good run. While the houses have been small (up until tonight), they've been receptive and responsive. I've met and worked some great people. Though I don't feel like I've done my best - something to strive for in the Fall.


I feel like I've had a bit of a Holden Caufield experience up here.

Merci et adieu.

 

"O" my

At our last performance, we received a standing ovation! That was quite nice. Our next performance is tonight at midnight. Midnight show? this could go either way, house-wise: either packed, or barren. We'll see. One never really knows how these types of shows will turn out, especially since marketing has been a bit thin.
Regardless, I'm bringing beer.

Eric, the playwright, seems very pleased as the show's reception has been pretty positive.
The other day, I took the initiative to make postcards, so all involved have something to hand to people as we promote the show. I totally understand that producing something like this, on a tight budget, there are things that fall to the wayside; but I just can't walk around with nothing to hand to people. So, I made them myself, and shared them with the cast, and Eric. We burned through those and he asked me to print up another batch - these will include quotes from all our press. Anyway...it's something to do. Give me a task, and I'm happy.

I've been fortunate to take advantage of some promotional deal at the local Y, so I've been able to workout all week for free. BONUS! In addition, as I mentioned before, I've been hiking all over the place. I must have walked at least 10 miles yesterday, including an intense hike up Mont-Royal that would've made Pat Tillman break a sweat. I found this one section of trail that was a pretty steep vertical rock climb (not quite the caliber of Cruise in MI:2, nor Sly in "Cliffhanger" but a worthy novice effort), the view at its top was pretty rewarding (take that, A!). I sat on this heath for a bit, to rest and took in the view.



Apparently, the city of Montreal was built around this mountain, from the campus of McGill University, outward. Interesting.

In the home stretch of this adventure. Show tonight, then Friday, and the last show on Saturday. Drive back on Sunday.

hiking, cough syrup and reviews - not necessarily in that order.

I woke up yesterday to not only another overcast morning, but also a full-on "bug." I don't know if it was a cold, or virus, or a severe allergy attack (see aforementioned "snow" in previous post).
Kinda sucked. The shit I was coughing up was pretty gross and the sinuses made me wish my head would just get it over with and just pop - ending my misery.

A misery, I fear, that compromised my performance the previous day. It was raining in some way that I never experience before (I find each city has its own type of rain. Weird...but true.) Having to carry all my crap to the theater in the monsoon was no fun. That, plus the fact that by time I got there I was soaking wet - I was a crabby bitch (Cancer, what can I tell ya!). Anyway, while the show seemed to be tighter than the previous, I inevitably "went up" in the end of the last piece. Fortunately, the actor's problem was appropriate for the character's problem, and therefore no one noticed. That is, except the playwright - he did write the thing after all.

And, to prove that the actor is the last one to really know what is going on - we received a great review! Check it out!
Goes to show, what is felt, and what is seen (perceived) are often two very different things.

So, as I said, yesterday was a off day from the show -  a recovery day. Considering my condition, I took a day off from my cardio regime and decided to take a light hike up Mont-Royal. It was a nice substitute for the usual routine, with the added spiritual bonus.

I found myself becoming quite reflective. 

In my Theater History class, when discussing Romanticism and its impact on theater, we cover (briefly, mind you) the Transcendentalists: Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson, Whitman and their affinity towards nature and its impact. One must have a stone for a heart if such beauty has no affect on them. The solitude, sounds of nature (crackling leaves under your feet, a rolling brook, birds calling, the wind through the trees), a barely noticeable rock path discovered (evoking the poetry of Robert Frost). I wish had the stamina to make more of a day of it - but that will be tomorrow.

I made it to the Chalet, and took in it's stunning view of the city below.

So, after the hike. I went home, made dinner (found a cool grocery store that enabled me to eat a little more healthy and cheaply!). Took 2 giant gulps of Buckley's (this abhorrent tasting cough syrup [sirop]), watched "The Wire" on my laptop and went to bed.

This morning I woke up feeling much better and with a sense of accomplishment (It feels good when one is able to "will" himself into health - ego? perhaps...I don't care, I feel good!). Went to the gym, had a fantastic workout and ready for another show.

Sun is out, "snow" is back....

Looking forward to another hike of Mont-Royal tomorrow.    

Rainy Day...

Woke up to a cold, rainy morning.
I can't believe this is June....feels more like March.

Discovering I under-packed. Not prepared for this weather. Buying clothes, as needed. When I'm not performing, days spent wandering about...exploring as much, as inexpensively as I can.

There is a type of tree about that is releasing its spores - they're all over the place, floating around as if it's snowing, pretty beautiful. They are all over. Though I think it's kicking the shit out of my sinuses....battling allergies. I think it's allergies, could be a cold...I'll find out soon enough.

I don't have internet access where I'm staying, which still sucks, but I'm getting by through cafes.

Another show today.....'nuff for now.

Vive la Montréal!

So, here I am - Montréal, and what a fascinating place it is.


Performing in the Montréal Fringe Festival this year, I am based in a neighborhood called the Plateau. It is the very French (trés français) section of the city. I feel like I am in Europe...without the hassle of a trans-Atlantic flight. The city, for the most part is friendly, though I have encountered the notorious French condescension once or twice, but it's all good and kind of amusing when it happens-It's the exception right now. The people are open, and lovely. The city itself, at least the neighborhood in which I'm based, is kinda cruddy, but in this oddly cool way. While it is clear that the city has not been impervious to the global recession, there is still a vibrance and energy that makes me smile. Very safe. The architecture of the homes is fascinating. Mostly, because there seems to be no consistent style. In other cities I've been to, there is an overall style that one can discern. And while within a city the different neighborhoods have a variance of style, there is still the sense that you are in the same city. Not here. Moreover, it's is not even a block-to-block thing, nor a neighborhood thing. You will walk down a street and see a building that looks like it was transplanted from the French Quarter in New Orleans, and right next to it, there is a row of townhouses that should be in London, then Baltimore, New York, San Francisco, Paris....I love it!
 


While walking through the streets (of The Plateau) one hear's French being spoken, everywhere. I've been enjoying the outside markets of Avenue du Mont-Royal. Think of it as a French version of Promenade in Santa Monica (for the LA folks tuning in) with a view of the Parc Olympique in the distance. That sight is a flash-back for me. I'm not going to speak the number of how many years ago it was that I was visiting that landmark; but it was a lifetime ago-a reminder of how much has changed since I last saw it. 


Of course, I feel like an ignorant "Ugly American" as I do not understand much  of the language....if at all. I find myself saying "Je ne comprende pas," "Je regrette, " and "Anglais? si vous plait?"  quite a bit....disgusting. Ms. Shaw, are you out there? (my high school French teacher), 
"Je m'excuse!"


As far as our opening of Small Talk, by Eric Fallen:


We had a little over 20 people (more than I expected, really) and they were a pretty quiet bunch. HOWEVER, afterwards, the feedback was pretty outstanding. Many compliments, comment-cards were all raves. So, there that is. A friend of the playwright's (she happened to be sitting right next to him, btw) confessed she was withholding laughter because she wasn't aware that it was OK to laugh. One would think he would have given the "all-clear" to let loose with the chuckles, but apparently not. Weird...Regardless, Eric was very happy. The only thing missing was the presence of Eric Michael Gillett, our director. He had a performance in NYC last night that prevented his being able to attend, so he had a valid excuse. 
Hope it was fantastic, Eric!

Personally, the evening felt more like a dress-rehearsal. It was the first time we were able to  put it ALL together for the first time - a minor missed move here, a rushed light cue there, nothing anyone who didn't know otherwise would notice. Despite that, it seemed to be a success.

I look forward to being able to settle in a little more, I know I'm capable of much more. "Behind the Wheel" (the last piece that I am in) seemed to go over very well.

It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the run/this Canadienne adventure goes.


Will be keeping you posted....

mind f^ck

I don't quite get why I'm not more satisfied with things right now...quite frankly, this is the best stretch of work I've had, probably...ever.

Yet, I'm still not quite able to enjoy it. WTF?

In addition to the good stuff listed in the previous post, it is confirmed that I will be playing Oberon in the New Brunswick Theater Festival's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream later this summer. So, that's cool. Not exactly a role I feel I would traditionally be cast as; but I am psyched at the challenge.


I also just got cast in a SAG Indie Film, A Guy Named Rick, that is scheduled to shoot this autumn. It'll be a fun role.


This past week I've been rehearsing Small Talk, by Eric Fallen, under the direction of the great Eric Michael Gillett. This is the show we will be presenting at the Montreal Fringe Festival this June. I love the pieces I'm in, and the people involved seem great! What's more, it will be put up again in New York in the fall. So, I'll get to do it again! for the NY audience, to include industry....cool.


So, why aren't I more excited? Why aren't I happier?


Other than the possibility that it could be my diet (there are those theories that propose that higher fat intake make people happier... I'm still debating that one), I think it might be because I'm still struggling with "low-income syndrome." (I made that one up!)


Yes, I am working more these days; NO, I'm not making the money I feel I should. So, I'm trying to reconcile that; or, I need to trust that this is a trend and will continue to improve, ultimately getting me closer to my goals. In short, "Halladay - quit yer bitchin!"


My new pic options are on Facebook, would love to here some feedback.

momentum...

Finals have been taken, grades are submitted - the end of another semester was not without its challenges: resistant actors, disinterested students, and blizzards. While it is easy to throw ones hands up in resignation and complain, I believe a good teacher will face those obstacles and aspire to o'er-leap them.

My summer seems to be shaping up quite nicely.

I will be teaching again at RSAC (Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory)
I will be teaching Theater Appreciation at Rider for the 2nd Summer session
I have been invited to perform at Montreal's Fringe Festival (J, timing never seemed to work in our favor - much to my regret!)
There seems to be the strong possibility that I'll be performing in another Shakespeare production in the end of the Summer.

...in addition, I have some other irons in the fire as well.

I like it! I like knowing there is work to be done.

I just took some new head-shots with the talented Siouxsie Suarez - Thank you, my dear.
I cut my hair, so look out for the new and improved me!

Pics will be out soon.

Momentum - a good thing...