I'm proving a little bit

I had a tough time at improv class last night.  I just couldn't find "the groove".  From feedback, I think I was trying to be funny instead of just being.  You know- trying to come up with that zinger, that top laugh, the climax to the scene.  That made me less generous and less genuine...a fatal combination.  I got into this class to push myself and improve as an actor, not just to do improv.  I'm glad to say I'm being stretched.  I hope I'm getting better.

This Friday is the read-through for "Nevermore".  I'm excited and a little anxious.  I haven't really stretched my acting muscles in a while. Not only that, but this is an entirely new group of people.  New dynamics; new expectations; new egos to match my own sometimes overstretched one.  Saturday I'll post an analysis of the sitch.

2x: Improv-ing my skills... Nevermore

Improv-ing my skills
Hidee-ho gang!  September 9th I started working in an Adult Improv class in Tyler, Texas, USA.  It's held at the APEX Theatre 20 on Monday nights.  I mainly joined to sharpen my acting skills.  For a while I've felt like my acting muscles were atrophying.  I enjoy working with this great group of folks in Palestine, but I don't feel like I'm growing as an actor/artist.  I'm getting mentally flabby!  Last Monday was our 3rd class, and I'm having a blast!  I'll keep you up to date on how that goes.

"Meanwhile, back at the ranch..."

Nevermore
While "improv-ing" a week ago, I was approached by the director of an up-coming play called "Nevermore", a play utilizing several Edgar Allan Poe plots and characters, but featuring Poe as a character as well.  He, the director, invited me to audition for a particular role.  I was more than gratified by this.  Here was a chance to spread my wings a bit.  I have not acted outside of Palestine for at least a decade.  Josh (the director) sent me sides for the character of Monty.  Once at auditions, he pulled the old switcheroo, which I always enjoy actually, and had me cold read for two other characters instead.  One of them, Dudley, is a juicy part that will challenge me to really work; it's not the archetypes I've been doing.  I read.  I listened.  I read again.  Then the call- Dudley is me!  I will endeavor to be worth the effort.

So long for now.

Re-posting a review of "Annie"

The Palestine Herald, Palestine, Texas

July 24, 2013

Review: PCT's 'Annie' has great cast, superior production

By GARY CONNOR
Palestine Herald-Press

PALESTINE — Not too long ago a good friend of mine observed, “I’m reminded there is so much talent in Palestine every time I attend a production at the Texas Theater.” Actually, we were both sitting in the audience just moments before the curtain went up on the opening night performance of “Annie.”

From curtain up to curtain call, my friends words echoed in my ears. “Annie” is replete with not just good performances, but rather, great performances by the entire cast.

The story follows Annie from a Depression-era orphanage to life with billionaire businessman Daddy Warbucks. Along the way, she inspires FDR’s “New Deal” for down and out Americans. And, in a broader sense, the performance by the cast of “Annie” clearly inspires the audience as well.

The story is ageless and entertains the very young as well as the very old. Extraordinarily entertaining, “Annie” showcases the very best talent our community has to offer. The cast is vivacious and filled with theatrical energy.

Eleven-year-old Hannah Weber makes a feisty Annie in her first lead role. And, Miss Weber earns high marks for a voice as big as Anderson County in her big solo, “Tomorrow.”

She is cast well and her interpretation of Annie, a young girl full of pluck and determination, unbowed by the hard-knock life she has been dealt, is exemplary.

What great story, musical or otherwise, is complete without an appropriate antagonist? In a melodrama it is the villain dressed in black. In “Annie” it is Miss Hannigan, brought to the Texas Theater stage by Sonia Martinez.

Annie’s nemesis, the villainous Miss Hannigan, sways and slurs her character effortlessly into the role of the boozy orphanage matron while relishing every second of her toxin filled solo performance, “Little Girls.”

Jim Vincill brings convincingly easy going savoir faire to the Daddy Warbucks role. A veteran of the Texas Theater stage, Jim brings personality and believability to this lead character who learns with the help of Annie there is more to life than billions of greenbacks.

Rooster and Lily, portrayed by Adam Hobbs and Olivia Santone, a ruthless pair of n’er do wells, team up with Miss Hannigan for a rendition of “Easy Street” that leaves the opening night audience cheering for more of the villainous trio.

Dr. Jan Sikes as Grace, Daddy Warbuck’s personal assistant, may have the clearest voice in the Lone Star State. Her characterization is both thorough and consistent every time she is on stage.

“Annie” is creatively staged, a significant challenge with a tenement full of orphan waifs, but director Chaundra Dantin handles the blocking of each scene beautifully.

Realistic and creative stage business for young actors is frequently difficult to achieve, but these young actors and actresses are believable from lights up to lights down.

From a rundown New York tenement and the mean streets of the Big Apple to Warbuck’s glamorous uptown penthouse, the set design is replete with authenticity, clarity and appropriateness.

The musical numbers and the choreography keep the musical production in motion. “Easy Street” and the perky “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here” will have you patting your foot while “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” will, indeed, dress you with a smile.

Overall, the Palestine Community Theatre’s “Annie” fills the stage of the Texas Theater with wonderful story, song and dance. Dantin and assistant director Dana Goolsby had led the extremely large cast to a superior production.

Performances will continue July 26-28 and Aug. 2-4. Shows on Fridays and Saturdays start at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for students and children ages 4 to 18 and $12 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at Dogwood Diner, the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce and Education Unlimited. Tickets also can be purchased online at www.outhousetickets.com.

The Texas Theater is located at 213 W. Crawford St. in downtown Palestine.

Annie get your Fun

PCT (Palestine Community Theatre) is in its second week of performances on the musical "Annie" starring the amazing Hannah Weber in the title role.  She is a phenomenal new talent at PCT.  Her powerful voice, beautiful face, and, dare I say, pure spirit really brings the character to life.  Jim Vincill brings his usual joie de vivre to the role of Daddy Warbucks.  Just the right amount of bluster and heart that works as a counterpoint to Annie's sweetness earnestness.  There are many standout performers- scene stealers and stage troopers alike- but I'll keep to an overall look at the show.  It has fine music, good acting, and one of the strongest children's choruses we've had in a long while.  The characters flow with the music and the sets support the story- not so much standing out as disappearing into the reality of the emotions, as a set should.

The first weekend was sold out.  I'm thinking there will be many repeats of that for the next two weekends.  It is well deserved.

Annie part 2

We ran the show today, with music and set changes.  As expected it ran a little rough.  First run-throughs are like that most of the time.  It will help when everyone is there.  I have been in shows before where we didn't have the entire cast together at the same time until dress rehearsal week.  Nerve wracking, to say the least.  I hope this isn't one of those shows.  It is time for us all to knuckle down and be "present" in many ways.

[BTW- You may have noticed that I have deleted the post with the cast list for "Annie".  I did this today.  The cast has changed, and it's not really necessary to be posted here, so...gone.]

Annie part 1

The next show at Palestine Community Theater will be "Annie, the musical".  It seems to be coming together just fine.  It was my intention to lay off from this show.  Then I said I would pull curtain.  Then I agreed to a small part.  Thankfully the part has remained small.  Everyone seems to be working really hard and practicing what they need to practice.  Showtime in a month or so.  It's actually kinda nice to be involved in the periphery of a show without needing to be in the thick of it.  I can be a minor character and rope puller without having to make any decisions for anyone else.  I show up, do my part, go home.  I can do this and still get some rest over the summer.

I think the set design is really good.  It's functional, easy to change, and versatile.  It doesn't draw too much attention to itself, allowing the actors and music to become the focus.  Good job!  This will be one to watch.

Leggo my Ego!

I have a what is commonly called a "Big Ego".  I have to admit that.  "Hello my name is John, and I have a swelled head ego."  It's true.  Everyone can see it.  Can't deny it.  Done.

On the other hand, I have never stormed out of a show, nor caused others to storm out of a show because I didn't get the part I wanted, even when "I am CLEARLY the best choice for the role.  That director has his/her head up their butt.  It's unfair.  It's all because..." pick you own next line.  Casting (and acting in general) isn't always fair.  Great actors sometimes get overlooked for roles.  Rotten actors sometimes get roles.  Sometimes the right actor gets just the right role at the right time, then breaks their leg.  We all think we know best.  Lots of actors and their buddies get together after auditions and predict the cast (and then choose their perfect cast) afterwards over coffee, sodas, or adult beverages.  It's a time honored tradition.

The problem arises when we, as actors forget that the director IS IN CHARGE.  We forget that they must choose not only on acting ability, but who looks good together, blends voices well together, looks the right age or archetype.  Sometimes it's about non-acting issues.  Sometimes, yeah, it's because the actor knows a guy that knows a guy that knows the director.  It happens.  It's real.  It's part of the gig.

Sometimes we choose to step aside if we aren't offered a role that is worth the commitment in time and energy.  Okay, but remember-

Acting is rejection.  That's a quote from someone...I wonder who I heard it from.  Hmm.  But it's true.  If you are going to be an actor, you will experience rejection.  It is how you handle that rejection that partly defines you as a performer.  You have some choices:

1. Take it like a pro and accept either what was given or gracefully move on if nothing was offered.
2. Take it like a pro and walk away from an offered role you don't feel right for, again, gracefully.
3. Take it on the chin and let it knock you out, depressing you for days, and making you doubt performing at all.
4. Take it like a child and yell and scream and throw a fit for all the world to see so that everybody feels your pain with you.
5. Involve your friends in #4.
6. Make accusations of favoritism, casting couch, bribery, or other skulduggery based on no more evidence than your bruised ego.
7. Do like several now ex-actors have done in the past and try to sabotage the show somehow, through negative publicity or comments, or actual physical sabotage.
8. Physical harm to casting directors or directors or the guy that got the part.

Which of these choices are yours?  How do you wish to be remembered the next time auditions come around?  What price reputation?  How fragile your ego?