2014 – Can you believe it?

Soon auditions will begin again for theatres all over. My attempt to go to UPTA was thwarted because I didn’t get my application submitted in time. My place on the waiting list does not warrant any hope for a spot. Maybe next year.

Sounds a little like this blog – a little late.

General auditions are a fractured fun time. Performers can be confident, anxious, outstanding in their auditions, and never get a callback from the theaters they would love to hear from.

Usually not told what a reason might be, an actor may be tempted to invent one. Of course, some of the reasons are obvious – there wasn’t a suitable part e.g., actor was too tall, too short, too old, too young, too thin, too hefty, etc. etc. etc.

So, the performer must just keep plugging away. Caveat – if you can’t take rejection – either outright or concocted internally – find a different job.

Good luck to all you who are about to audition and to all the auditors and to me as I join the masses.

Bonita

January 14, 2014

Actors, let’s remind the clients, advertisers, producers, etc. know that we ARE “Real People” and if those “real people” in your ads are paid anything at all they are actors (though let’s face it, not very good actors most of the time). Sorry, car dealers and other business owners but most of you would do well to hire real people, aka professional actors to tout your cars, windows, groceries, medications, clothing, etc.

Why the distinction between celebrities and actors. If a non-famous actor appears in a commercial it often carries a disclaimer:  “actor portrayal”.  If a recognizable celebrity is selling, nothing is said about them being less than a “real person”. Some advertisers don’t think it is necessary to remind the viewer that the celebrity is an actor, being paid large sums to appear, and may or may not even be acquainted with the product. Just my humble opinion but I don’t think that Shaq drives a Buick. Yes, I have seen him inside one and now I would like to see him get in and out of the same car.

It’s true we actors would expect to be paid a living wage because we too shop for groceries, medicines, cars, clothes, etc., etc., etc.  It is often quite easy to determine who wrote the ad, who cast the ad, who bought the ad space. Did you ever ask your client or customer if it was the cute shot of your son/daughter/grandchild/dog that encouraged them to buy your product?

Wow, I’ve been wanting to say all that for a long time. Thanks for letting me vent. Now I just want my agent to call with some work.

Today was an exceptional day. The calendar read like it wouldn’t again for 100 years. Granted, there will be a similar event late next year but today’s date won’t come again for 100 years.  11/12/13.

A nice sunny day, a bit cold but the sun helps me feel like it’s warmer. So, I did what I seldom do – I shopped.  Amazing what one sees when one leaves the confines of their home. I saw a woman driving with her knees or elbows while eating an ice cream sundae, people making right turns from any old lane they wish, and not a turn signal used.  The stores weren’t exceedingly crowded this day after veterans day so the experience was good.

This week promises to be a theatrical delight.  Off to see The Wiz at the Coterie on Friday.  I know it will be delightful as are all Coterie shows and I am enthused about seeing Brad Shaw’s performance. He is a grand talent.

Then Saturday evening off to Spring Hill to see Smile.  I am told it is a seldom produced musical that didn’t fare too well on Broadway. It will be interesting to see what the high school students do with it.

Finally on Sunday, off to Topeka to see a college production. I periodically go to productions at Washburn and am looking forward to this one. Evan Gamsu has invited me to this one but has yet to tell me the name of the play. Surprises are always good.

Hope you had a good 11/12/13.  See you again in 100 years.

After a long hiatus I returned to NYC last week for an infusion of city life, energy, friends, diner food, subways and fun. Doing the tourist thing was great.  I visited the 9/11 memorial and marveled at the beautiful pools, took a tour of the island of Manhattan via the Circle Line and spent a grand afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

But, a visit to NYC demands Theatre with a capital T.  Ticket prices have gone through the roof for many shows but the musical Big Fish and a cabaret show at Don’t Tell Mama’s gave two great evenings of entertainment without totally breaking the budget.

Big Fish is a simple story told in sweet song and dialog. There wasn’t a weak link in the cast, the dancing and singing moved the story along smoothly.  The imaginative costuming gave depth to the characters and the story. As an actor I was trying to picture the number of dressers needed backstage for the myriad of quick changes by leads and chorus members alike.

Projections were utilized in scene changes and in production numbers but were smoothly intrinsic to the action. The projections served the production well and never seemed to scream, “Look what we did – because we can”.  Got need for some pure entertainment? Big Fish might be just the thing to lighten your mood.

The cabaret show starred new friends, Paul and Rochelle Chamlin at Don’t Tell Mama.  The show consisted of a selection of solos and duets by Paul and Rochelle with a traveling theme in this well known, intimate setting. Directed by Teresa Fischer, a NYC cabaret artist herself, the show played to an appreciative audience.

An added perc for me was meeting Ray Jessel after the show. I have had the great good fortune to sing one of his comedy songs “Wanna Sing a Show Tune” in cabaret shows here. He was most impressed to hear that we do indeed have such shows in Kansas. What a delightful gentleman. His next performance was scheduled at Don’t Tell Mama for after we had left the city.  I am sorry to have missed that performance. He began his cabaret performances after age 70 so – guess there is still time.

Wait for me NYC – I’ll be back.

Home again and all unpacked.  The Abilene experience was grand from day one.  Our outstanding crew, the theatre staff and the volunteers added to the success of the show. This was a Steel Magnolias never seen before; director Doug Nuttleman gave us a vision for the show and established a collaborative environment which led to some fun – and real – characters. Thank you Doug.

We joined Gary Houser at station KABI for an hour radio show featuring conversation about the real lives we live as well as the lives of the characters we were portraying.

Next up for me is a short trip to New York with my daughter. Haven’t picked out any shows yet but know we will catch a couple.