Category Archives: Midsummer Nights Dream

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Feels Like The First Time

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ImageCan you think back on those moments in your life when you feel like the course of your path is changing, but for the better? I just had to start writing this post because the universe seems to be turning its cosmic axis where I’m finally understanding myself and what I want from life. It might be a fleeting moment and that leaves me anxious so I feel I must grab onto it like a balloon and try not to let it float away. The play I have been rambling about for the last month “Midsummer Nights Dream” has finally come to an end. We received so much love, admiration, and praise for this show that it blew my mind. Every time I had a friend or family member in the audience I was so afraid they weren’t going to like the performance and when I walked out the stage door to see their reaction I would take a deep breathe. To my surprise I was always welcomed with huge smiles, hugs, and kindness. There is no better feeling for an actor to know you affected someone’s soul in a small way. ImageOne Saturday evening during intermission we all participated in something behind the scenes on Broadway. Its a fun way on Twitter to peek into some of Theater’s biggest names as well as smaller venues to see what the actors are up to before they go on stage for the Second Act of the show. Its hash-tag is #SIP which stands for Saturday Intermission Picture. I was stoked to see we made such headlines as Broadway World.com and Broadway Spotted.com. We were blessed with a wonderful cast, director and composer Ian McDonald; founding member of the band Foreigner. Being a fan of classic rock this was such a treat for me. He was such a sweet man but didn’t quite like my fondness for Adam Ant’s music as we played the juke box at the cast party. Image

As fast as the show came is as fast as it blew by. Its a bitter-sweet moment to end a show. The mere fact that that specific production will never be seen by the eyes of anyone again is a bit daunting. You think back of all the relationships that are made during rehearsals and the late nights of struggling through practicing lines and choreography and when you think the day was done, we all had to gather in the audience chairs and wait for our notes on how to be better. I remind myself of those moments and how the struggle of putting a show together makes you stronger as a cast. That’s where the “sweet” comes in. Ending a show is a like a badge of honor. You have made it through the dark forest and prevailed. The next adventure awaits you. Which brings me to the other reason I jumped onto my keyboard just now. The day after Midsummer Nights Dream ended, I was contacted to audition for a SYFY kinda film. I was a bit hesitant due to the subject matter. As I read the script my mouth dropped even more with every page. It mentions drugs, goddesses, worshipping animal-people, and murder. What in the world was I about to get myself into??!!! I just got out of a fun loving comedy play and now I have to find my inner “crazy” to get the guts and audition. I put on my big girl brave pants and traveled to Brooklyn to deliver my monologue. I was so relieved to know the director and crew were very accommodating and exceptionally interesting. So, that’s that good part, it was a fun experience. Bad part…..the waiting to hear if I actually got the role. I have spent the majority of my day checking my email more then necessary. In last efforts to save myself from Iphone overdoes, I hid it in the bottom of my laundry basket and decided to write out my screaming meemies. Oh no..I can check my mail on my macbook. I-Temptress.

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Sometimes We Smell

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Happy Saturday!  Tonight will be the third run of our show Midsummer Nights Dream.  Instead of boring you with news about all the wonderful “oooooohs and ahhhhhhhs” we got for our preview shows, I am gonna give you a few behind the scene details that made me chuckle and doubt if things were gonna be pulled off in time for opening night.  First things first….we lost our set designer the day before we opened and the stage was left in a sad, weeping, naked and vulnerable state.  If you could picture in your head three plain black walls with two benches and that’s it, then you probably understand why were a little shocked.  Within moments of our director telling us the bad news, our amazing costume director swooped in like a super hero and offered to help out.  In doing so, he created a beautiful forest with draping trees and a visual world for the actors to run through.  (problem 1)  Then we ran into an issue for me and the other fairy dancers that the stage and new platforms created a challenge since the rehearsal space we had been practicing in was quite different and we didn’t account that we were going to be dancing on a 6×6 ft raised box.  We had one fairy down but she bravely got back up and into the game.  Thank goodness it was only during a rehearsal and she wasn’t badly hurt.  (problem 2)  Some of the male characters were given boots as part of their costume and boy did they create a whirlwind, literally.  Those boots were so new that when the men ran across stage they each ended up either on their asses or gliding around stage with flailing arms like a terrible ice skater.  (problem 3)  I don’t know what it is about someone tripping or accidentally falling (with no injuries of course) that makes me giggle.  That’s actually how I made one of my best friends years ago.  I had just started working at the Barnes and Noble Cafe and one of our closing tasks was to mop the floors.  Me and Alana* were almost finished when all of a sudden I saw her slip, fall, and then slide into a bunch of garbage cans as if she were the bowling ball and the cans were the pins.  I could not contain my laughter and finally managed to spit out an “are you ok?!”  I later found out she didn’t like me very much from that moment on but fortunately she forgave me and we can still laugh about it today.  An Alex issue kept coming up for me during dress rehearsal which is that I COULD NOT remember one of my lines, and by line I mean one word.  I think I need to work on my short-term memory skills because every time the fairies ran on stage I had to cue them by saying the word, “Ready!”  I would get so wrapped up in the moment I was entering stage in full excitement that I would blank out on what to do next.  It finally took my friend behind me to continuously poke me in my ribs to realize I had to say something.  I keep joking with her that maybe on the last night of the show I will finally remember my line.  (problem 4)  Another issue that actors rarely bring up is the smell of their costumes.  I’m gonna keep it real for this blog and for those that don’t participate in theater so they know what really goes on. Sorry to break the news.  Costumes usually get cleaned once a week so you can imagine it creates a very interesting Eau Du Stinky (read that with a fake French accent and it makes it funnier.)  Good thing there is such products as perfume and febreze.  (problem 5)  I guess most of these aren’t earth shattering problems but they just make me shake my head and smile and hopefully bring you a little closer into the world of THEATRE.  xo

 

* -Alana is not my best friend’s real name.  It is not to protect her, but to protect me from being yelled at.  😉

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Massacre and Faeries

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Hail all you mortals. Faery Alex here. I’m sitting in the dressing room of the West End Theater awaiting my que to pop on stage. We are having a 10 hour rehearsal today so my exhaustion is setting in and I feel slap-happy. I’m making up spontaneous dances and I can’t help but create songs with farting noises. I’ve officially hit the wall and need to relax on the couch with a cold beverage (preferably alcoholic. ). I’m almost there. Must stay focused…. I know! I’ll tell you about what I did yesterday. I recently got an IPAD so I have been procrastinating life in general while playing games and being a drone to Facebook. I am the person that keeps the plastic on new objects as long as possible so it stays so fresh and so clean. Due to the constant use of my new toy I realized I probably need a cover to protect Prefontain (my IPAD’s new name.). I went to multiple stores looking for a damn case and was appalled by the ridiculous prices on just a piece of cloth to cover Prefontain. The lowest price was $50. It’s unbelievable the amount of money we spend on technology just to keep up with the world. I have decided to put the cover on the back burner for now and just carry Prefontain in its original box. Yes I might look strange but I will find him a good home when the right time comes. Later that night I went to see my friend Anatol’s play called Massacre: Sing to your Children. It is a new play written by Jose Rivera. Click on his name so you can see his other works. The play was phenomenal. It was modern, scary, and had a few twists that made you want to shrink down in your seat and peek through your hands that covered your eyes. Well, maybe that was just me. Maybe I am biased but Anatol’s performance was flawless. His excellence as an actor is humbling so, if you are available this month check out this show. You won’t be disappointed.
I have finally arrived home from a long day of playing a faery and my wish came true. I’m in a sleepy state sitting on the couch with a girlie facemask on and about to watch an episode of Anthony Bourdain. Ahhhh till next time little elves. Xo

Fairies Backstage:

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The stage for Massacre:

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BraveHeart

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I find it a very strange thing that as I travel to rehearsals or productions the rest of the commuter world is going home. As their work day ends at 5 o’clock, mine begins and I skip about the mob of people going in the opposite direction of me. If you have ever traveled via subway during rush hour, then you must know the challenge of going against the crowd. It’s almost as if you are in a mini version of Braveheart and have to charge forward through the mass of people. As long as I have my heavy-duty headphones on with music blasting I feel like I can gracefully dodge the oncoming chaos. After battling the trains to get to the theater, todays rehearsal started promptly with a change in the ending of the show and a new song that needed to be learned. We have 6 days till we open the doors to the public and I couldn’t be more frantic. They say in theater if you have a bad dress rehearsal then the show will be terrific, so hears hoping to some rough days ahead. 🙂 We received our promo cards today so if you see these around town you better grab one and come to see Midsummer Nights Dream. This is actually the first full length Shakespeare play that I have ever done, so I am getting a crash course on how different it is from regular theater. As you can see in the photo, things get quite interesting and always expect the unexpected. Till tomorrow…Adieu xo

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Snooze button Monday

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Hello Monday.  I don’t know how you will ever top my glorious weekend.  I was invited by my friend Greg to see The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall on Friday night.  The orchestra was performing a one night event in honor of music from Oscar Award winning movies.  The moment you walk into this theater your mouth drops open just a bit and your eyes twinkle from the light bouncing off the gold  embellishments on the walls and ceiling.  Our seats were so close up we could see the sweat glistening off Conductor Steven Reineke’s face.  Once the music started playing, it took everything in me not to get out of my seat and start dancing in the aisle.  The memorable theme songs from “Gone With The Wind” to “Star Wars” to “Harry Potter” drove me into an isolated finger dance in my chair.  Four days later and I am still humming The Cantina song.  I would normally put a link insert here but I wouldn’t want to put more people through this melodic torture.  After the last song I joyously clapped as hard as I could for all the talented musicians and then was quickly whisked away back stage to meet Mr Steven Reineke.  He is a tall handsome fellow and was very gracious to everyone he encountered.  Image

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Sunday evening was my turn to perform!  I worked with an incredibly creative, talented, and amazing actor and director.  We spent about 8 hours filming for a feature film where I spent the majority of the time running around in just a bed sheet and yelling profanity.  Any new experience or project I work on gets me super duper bluper nervous and it’s hard sometimes to get out of your head and use your skills.  I am so fortunate that my co-actor Nick has such an infectious personality, one can’t help laugh on set and feel at ease.  I can’t wait to hear more about this project and share what happens next.  This upcoming week is full to the brim with rehearsals for the upcoming Midsummer Nights Dream show debuts April 26th 2012.  Its crunch time I must prepare which I am lack there of.  xo

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Sleep Forever More

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I finally saw Sleep No More the other day and what a blast that was. If you haven’t heard of this show before I’ll explain just a bit. The performance is held in a renovated hotel that hasn’t been open since the early 1930’s. There are ornately detailed sets and rooms for the “audience” to roam around and participate in the show. It’s loosely based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the actors run ( literally run up and down stairs at times) around the hotel leading whoever chooses to follow them into the depths of this drama. I admittedly was nervous about getting tickets to Sleep No More since I am the type of person that scares easily and it’s suggested each person creates their own story and goes off on their own. Even though I’m a scardy cat I do love thrills so this was a great way to get the adrenaline going. As you enter the building you are greeted with old Venetian masks ( think Clockwork Orange ) and the choice of champagne or absinth. Well, in Alex fashion I had both. Note to self: absinth tastes gross. You are then led up in a dark elevator where you must fend for yourself. I stayed close to Tim for a bit and then lost track of his plaid shirt amongst the crowd of flannel wearing hipsters. It was alright because he got in a wave good bye and I gave him a awkward thumbs up that I was ready to be alone. I had a nice buzz from my cocktails and started running after the actors down eerie hallways and narrow staircases. After two hours, this theater experience became an Extreme Sport and I was definitely ready to Sleep FOREVER More. This week is flying by with rehearsals for Midsummer Nights Dream and it’s going to be on its feet in less then a month. Crazy to think how close it is but hey that’s the way of the theater. It creeps up on you and your changing into costumes one minute, then before you know it it’s the last curtain and your kissing friends goodbye. There probably aren’t many people reading this little blog but if you’re out there – remember to smile, laugh and always enjoy the world around you.

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Dance Magic Dance

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I woke up this morning with songs from the movie Labyrinth in my brain.  After winding down from the past couple of days, Tim decided to make me smile by popping in a childhood favorite of mine.  If always reminds me of being a kid and being home on sick days.  I would bundle up in blankets, hold onto my favorite dolls and watch this fantasy land unfold.  If you haven’t seen it, definitely check it out to see the magic puppetry of Jim Henson and Kevin Clash (aka Elmo).  Thank goodness my past couple of days were not invaded by Goblin kings, so I was able to continue with my acting.  On Sunday I went to the two script readings felt like a super actor.  Nahh, I just felt good about having an entire day filled with people and things involving the career I want.  The first script reading was for a movie, based on a true story of a writer  that unknowingly got manipulated into crime.  The actors read in front of a mysterious group of people so here’s hoping this script gets picked up by producers and it works out for the author.  As I mentioned in a previous post I was able to read with some friends and it was nothing less than fun, happy and stress-free.  It’s always good to catch up with those you shared such wonderful memories with but haven’t spoken to in a while.  The second script reading was for an upcoming play about a man and his invisible friend.  It is very rare that I absolutely enjoy, and become ecstatic about modern plays but this one proved to be one of the best.  I walked into an intimidating room of talented actors sitting around a coffee table with their shoes off, wine glasses in hand and chatting about how each of them went to school together and what shows they performed with one another.  It was a bit of a slap in the face for little me.  Kind of ironic that I had just come from a similar situation and didn’t take notice to those that were in the position I was in now.  There is a certain dynamic of actors that know each other and I was getting a good taste of how I could have seemed cliqueish in the script reading before this.  So, I put on my “big girl pants” and decided to attack the script the best I could.  After a couple of hours I fell in love with the play and felt blessed to be in a room with such talent.  I truly hope it gets picked up because its gonna be a biiiiig deal when it does.  In fairness to the author I don’t want to tell much more about it.  Monday began the week of rehearsals for Midsummer Nights Dream.  We have less than a month till opening and I hope I am able to memorize my Shakespearian lines for my debut with The Frog and Peach Theater Company.  I have never thought so much about the character actions, and mind-set of a faery, but I guess in this business one must expect the unexpected.  xo

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Faeries, Shopping, and Rain

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Here is some late night writing to just say hi and this is what I have been up to.  The Secrets Love play ended and before I could get a chance to breathe I have been up and about getting ready for some new projects.  The big one so far is being in Midsummer Nights Dream for The Frog and Peach theater company.  I had my first costume fitting and holy moly am I thrilled with what the designer has up his sleeves for the whole cast.  What ever the outcome of the show is as a whole, I can definitely say the costumes are going to be kick ass.  I’m happy to report this since it wasn’t an easy task getting to this fitting so it was a good end to a stressful week.  Running around Manhattan in the rain from soho to uptown is a battle when your trying to get new dance shoes, voice lessons, costume fitting, and then making it to the theater on time for rehearsals.  All the while I’m lugging around big bags filled with all the girl necessities to prepare for stage.  Yes, I do love every minute of it.  I have two script readings this sunday.  One in the morning for a movie and then in the evening it’s for a new play.  I get to read with some friends that I haven’t worked with in a while so that brings a calmness to the situation.  I do miss the days of going to school at Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute.  I was so young and wide-eyed and worked with some great people without the pressure to be perfect.  I miss that carefree sense of acting when you were younger and in school.  But there is a great understanding and wisdom that comes when you get a little older and that I wouldn’t give up for the world.  Now I’m off to bed because I have a big day tomorrow…..I finally have a night free to go see The Hunger Games.  Yes!