Happy New Year

I’ve been involved in many projects this last year. Many good, many bad but I have high hopes for this coming year.

All Over and Feeling Good, Sort Of.

So after an amazingly exhausting 6 weeks my show has finally closed. Just a recap of what’s happened between now and my last post.

- Show Opened
- Two weeks later actress quits show and moves to Florida.
- Cancel Saturday and Sunday shows.
- Next day find and hire original person I wanted in first place, give her one rehearsal and have her go up the following Friday flawlessly. Watching her become the audience favorite for the rest of the run.
- Have people that printed programs for us inform us they’ve never been paid.
- Find out the people that printed programs for us never sent out an invoice.
- Have a check cut and sent to them only to be told later they moved and didn’t have a forwarding address.
- Cancel check and send to new address.
- Have press start showing up two weeks before show closes. Better late than never?
- Discover that 12 year old child actor has become bored with part and starts making up stuff to do on stage.
- Have actors manhandle child actor on stage to stop him from making up stuff to do on stage.
- Have awkward conversation with mother of child actor on why actors on stage are manhandling her son on stage.
- Try to explain to next door neighbor of theater that they can’t have a full construction crew pounding on the wall for the two hours we’re doing our show.
- Explain to next door neighbor that they crazy women wearing a trash bag as a dress is actually one of my actresses just trying to get them to stop pounding on the walls during the show. No need to call the cops.
- Remove set pieces from next show off our set because, well, you know, we’re still using it.
- Explain to set designer of next show why I moved his set pieces off the set, because, well, you know, we’re still using it.
- Strike set but before we’re finished chase off set designer of next show from putting stuff on the stage because well, you know, we’re still trying to take stuff off of it.
- Rest
- Get email about someone wanting to turn show into a webisodes.

I’m relieved that it’s done but strange as it sounds. I’m going to miss it.

Must finish writing new show. There is something seriously wrong with me.

Knowing when to say when

Okay I feel like a hypocrite but I finally put my foot down and killed one of the directors ideas. I hated to do it and it went against my very natures. But what do you do when a director is doing something to your play that every instinct in your body is screaming it’s wrong. At first you try to gently persuade them to not persue it and then if they don’t take the hint you then not so gently try to persuade them not to persue it. Ultimately there is so subtle way to do it. You just have to say, hey, I hate this idea and I don’t want it in my show. Do something else.

I felt really bad but it did feel like a humongous weight was lifted from me. And from the show too. After I did it the show seem to flow we way it was intended to do.

So ultimately people may say a writer is not the best judge of their own work and they maybe true but not in this case.

Taking a Time Out

Sometimes taking a time out is a good thing. Obviously things were heating up between my director and I.

I took a day off and let her do what she need to to do with the actors without the playwright/producer sitting there staring at everyone. I have to say, that when I came back in the next day everything seemed to be a little better. I’m not sure if it’s because the are actually getting better or I’m looking at everything with a fresh mind but things are looking up again.

The director and the actors did try to add some additional dialog, that they wanted to “try out” on me. I pretty much hated 90% of everything they showed me but there was about 10% that I stilled said no to but gave me ideas for other things.

I was afraid that this would set the director off but surprisingly she took it with a grain of salt. Also I think it helped that I didn’t mindlessly say no, but gave cool and well thought out reasons that I didn’t like the adds they were attempting.

After that we talked, joked and told stories about what going on and then went home.

I guess sometimes you have to step back, let the insanity pass you by and then approach everything with a fresh mind. Hopefully the actors will continue to grow and the show will be better than I imagined it would.

Well, here hoping.

The Problem with Process Part 2: The Revenge

So, as you all know I’m doing a show and have been writing about my eternal confusion and paranoia.

Well I had an interesting conversation with my director yesterday that reminded me of my blog titled ” The Problem with Process”. Well she sat me down after rehearsal and stated. “You know, I thought you would have done more rewrites by now.”

Now, after sitting through a week or so of her letting the actors paraphrase ever other line and letting them explore the stage so she could discover moments. I’m not really sure how she thought I was getting any valuable information to do any rewrites. So a ask the above question as politely as I knew how and received the response of a double blink of the eyes and a silent stare. Which in theater speak is code for “what” surely you’re not saying I’m to blame.

Now, it’s a little know fact that the institution of theater is powered by dramatic outburst so you have to watch how you answer the double blink of the eyes and blank stare. So I choose the sneaky route and gave her my own double blink of the eyes and blank stare. Which is theater speak for “why I have no idea what you’re referring to, please better explain your position.”

Obviously she realizes that she was dealing with someone who has dance this dance before, so she would have to actually have engage in actual spoken dialog to resolve this and forgo the usual passive aggressive director tactics. Yes, I win the first round!

So an actual conversation took place and she explained that she thought I would be using the first two weeks of rehearsal to fix troubled areas. I explains yes I got the notes and ask her to she was she was talking about in rehearsal so I could better determine what to do. Only to be presented with the first draft of paraphrase the Musical and the PBS special The organic Blocking Hour.

She ask why I didn’t say anything. I told her I wasn’t sure what the hell she was doing and was told this is how she liked to work. I would of said something but I was trying to trust my director. To which I received the double blink of the eyes and blank stare. Jesus christ are we back here again? Okay, double blink of the eyes and blank stare right back at you sister. To which I received the shocked look with the mouth slightly open response. Which is theater speak is “how dare you back me into this corner with no honorable way to leave the uncomfortable conversation I’ve gotten myself into.”

Choices on how to continue this discussion.

a. Take this bitch down, and take her down hard. Result of this action most likely hard feelings and a director phoning in the rest of the shows.

b. Applogize. Result making her feel good but pissing you off and fostering deep seeded resentment towards director.

c. Make director think you’re both to blame and say we’ll work on our communication better in the future. Result people can declare mental victory and move on with their lives.

Obviously I choose A.

Just kidding I went with the c. option because I’m not there to be right or wrong. I’m there to get a show I wrote produced.

So, I let the director out of the mental corner she had put herself in so we could move on.

Lesson learned, I’m all for faith and trusting a person but if something seems really out of place and seems counter productive, then it probably is. So from now on it’s speaking up and asking what the hell are you doing philosophy.

More to come I’m sure, so stay tuned.

Love and Kisses until then.

Paraphrase “The Musical”

I’ve decided that my next show is going to be called, Paraphrase “The Musical”.

The Setting, and empty stage with whatever the actors decided to dump there.

At Rise, whatever actor decided to enter the stage does so.

Actor say the first line of dialog that comes to their head.

End scene, blackout.

It’s a concept, my current cast seems to be going with it.

(Insert comforting diety of your choice) help me.

Keep telling self, they’ll get better, everything is going to be alright.

Excuse me while I go to my happy place.

The Problem With Process

As most people have read in my previous blogs. I’ve written a play that is going up in April. I’m really excited and feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment. Most of this is because I’m also producing the play but the rest has to do with the creative process that has commenced.

Working with a director and actors is a very unusual experience. When you’re writing the only person you have to deal with is yourself. So it’s very unusual and very jarring at the beginning when you hear someone else saying and interpreting your lines that you wrote.

Different people are going to have different interpretations and it takes all you effort not to jump up and say “Hey, you’re doing it wrong”.

You just have to simply remind yourself, that it’s all part of the process. The problem with process though, it’s that sometimes it can be chaotic at best. Directors are going to want to play and actors are going to want to explore and it’s very hard to know where everything is going. Is this productive time that everybody is using to make your story that much better or are people farting away valuable rehearsal time and developing bad habits.

The fortunate thing about being a producer is that I can put my foot down if I feel things are getting too much out of control. The problem with that is you don’t want to step on the directors toes. He/she may have a plan and they don’t like it when you try to rush their process. Ultimately, unless you’re going to direct it yourself you have to trust that the director is going to pull it all together. Very nerve-racking but that’s the score and you and you should know it before getting into such a venture.

Ultimately, I very excited by what I’ve seen so far and am encourages by the progress the actors are making. They have made me seen some things that I’ve missed and willing to come to me when the need clarification on something.

Of course it’s only been a week of rehearsal so far and I sure many adventures await before we open but so far so good.

I’ll keep you informed as things develop.

Keep Telling Youself, Everything Is Going To Be Alright

I’m doing a show at the Eclectic Company Theatre called Turkey Day. I have to admit I haven’t produced a show I wrote myself in a while. The last time was in 2003 when I did a show called The Unsinkable Bismarck. The advantage is that Turkey Day will be performed at the same Theatre so everything should be easier; right?

Insert Canned Laughter…

But, as the Bob Marley song goes, everything is going to be alright.

Membership has changed, theatre production policies have change, equity rules have change and so on and so on. Excuse me while I have a freak out moment.

Insert Scream, followed by Canned Laughter.

Okay the moment has passed, I think about it for second and decide the first thing that I do is get educated on the new rules. Which besides a couple of wording changes is pretty much the same. So nothing to really worry about, everything is going to be alright.

Get a week from rehearsals and find out that the theater we’re rehearsing in is doubled booked with a children’s shows.

Camera close up on terrified face. Followed by Canned Laughter.

Okay, take a minute and let the moment pass. Get on the phone and call friends with office spaces and big rooms. generous friend offers acting classroom they’re not using. Problem solved, everything is going to be alright.

One of the kids cast in the show decides he wants to do baseball this year and quits the show.

Cut to sound proof room that you can hear faint sound of a scream.

Exit the room remind director about the other fine actors that she auditioned and she finds someone else she’s really happy with. Take breath, everything is going to be alright.

Money that was going to the show doesn’t work out.

Hello Migraine, how have you benn? Take an Advil and remind myself that other sources of money is coming in later. Everything is going to be alright.

Director and actors or asking for rewrites which you don’t have time to do. Curl up in fetal position and suck thumb. When that moment passes. Tell them you’re working on it and will get it to them at your soonest convenience. Remind my self that everything is going to be alright.

Think about how far you still have to go and get depressed.

Insert canned laughter

Remind myself I’m doing a show that I wrote. That actors are enjoying acting in it , Directors are enjoying directing it, the designers are enjoying designing it and ultimately I’m going to enjoy seeing in front on an audience and remind myself, that ultimately, everything is going to be alright.

Cut to deep breath being taking in, and thinking to myself everything is going to be alright.

Insert canned laughter and applause.

DMV Confusion

Sent money to get tags for car. Didn’t get tags for car but instead got late notice. Called to see what went wrong. They said they never got anything for me. Transfered me to collection department, who turned around and said yes we did get the money, don’t know why you got a notice. Informed them at other dept didn’t have any information. They replied, that’s weird, they’re using the same computer. Okay, so where are my tag. Should be on there way they replied back. And the notice? Just throw it away. So nothings wrong. No, have a nice day. Thanks. Mission accomplished but very confused.

Why didn’t you choose my Bid?

Why didn’t you choose my Bid? Is a question I get asked a lot in my field. despite what people tell you it’s never personal. Nine times out of ten the person submitting the bid didn’t understand the job enough and didn’t give the correct or enough information to seriously consider their bid for a job.

The thing that jerks my chicken and gets me howling mad is when people think they’re in the right. Take for instance a conversation that I had recently.

Potential Vendor: Hey, how’s it going?

Me: Who’s this?

Potential Vendor: Aw, are you going to be that way?

Me: No, seriously who is this. I’m trying to get a lot of work done.

Potential Vendor: Well, maybe we can help you with that.

Me: If you don’t tell me who this is I’m going to hang up.

Potential Vendor: It me , I’m calling about the job.

Me: We have quit a few jobs going on. Can you be more specific?

Potential Vendor: The job.

Me: Oh we decide to go with .

Potential Vendor: What? Why?

Me: There numbers and plan for the job led us to believe they were better suited for the job.

Potential Vendor: Well, is a friend of our and he thought we would be perfect for the job.

Me: Yeah, he was really pulling for you but your bid package had a lot of hole in it.

Potential Vendor: Like what?

Me: You didn’t account for , , or .

Potential Vendor: Well, we didn’t know you wanted all that.

Me: Actually you, it was the first thing we asked for.

Potential Vendor: Well, I don’t think that was made clear enough that you wanted that.

Me: Funny, you signed a form saying you understand what’s being asked of you.

Potential Vendor: Well, who really read those things.

Me: My boss who approves the contracts.

Potential Vendor: Oh.

Me: Well, I really busy so I’m going to have to get off the phone.

Potential Vendor: Well, if we can help you out in any way let us know.

Me: I’ll make sure to do that.

I once heard the phrase “god is in the details”. It took me awhile to figure out and respect what that means. I can only hope if that vendor didn’t know what that means, he sure as hell does now.

Of course hope is overrated.