fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
Mar. 5th, 2004 06:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
learning2flyI just got this today from Ann Elizabeth regarding the play she's directing and I'm in:
Friends, I want to update you on the situation with Crichton. Due to circumstances involving people's schedules, the availability and size of the performance space, and other considerations owing to this being our first production, the format of the show has changed, and the cast has been streamlined to a smaller number of people -- we're doing it as a 1940s radio show instead of as a fluffy parlor comedy. This has helped immensely in cutting back on the cost of costumes and props, and has allowed us to edit the script down to a tidy hour. But it's also cut into the number of people needed for the show...some roles have been trimmed completely; some performers will, for the sake of comedy and broad presentation, be playing multiple roles.
Some things I really want you to know:
- These changes weren't made because people were not "great" actors --
everyone brought so much to this show! And ALL of us have room to grow. For a first show, though, I believe it is necessary to put to best use our loudest, brashest people, so we make a big splash on the scene.
- Even though your roles have been cut or reassigned, I want you to be involved in the show, even if not in a performance capacity, if you
want to be involved in that way. We need lots of help in non-performance capacities
-- house management, wardrobe, prop setup/teardown, running lights (very minimal -- house to half during show; stage at full throughout)
- I want you involved in future Explosive Acts endeavors too!
Please drop me a return message or a phone call if you have any questions and/or would like to rally round and be a tech-involved person for the show. I really appreciate that you answered the call for more people in the first place -- you're the kind of people I like to
work with! Because it's a radio-show kind of thing, I would love for the techies to still dress 1940s, which is fun; I'll be out there helping out in my t-strap heels and scoop-neck cardigan too! (I myself will no longer be appearing in the show --
in order to focus better on coordination-type activities, I have taken myself out and given my role to another comedienne.)
I look forward to hearing from you -- take care!
So, my role has been eliminated because I suck? I know I'll never be in the loud and brash category.
I was really exited about being a part of this and now I've been cut? I'm assuming she meant I'm out because she only sent it to 3 people. I've been trying to get a hold of her thru email and phone calls for the past two weeks to let her know I will be missing out on rehearsals next week because I'll be out of town...and this is what I get??
I know that this was a huge project for a new acting company to take on. There are a dozen or so domestics in one scene, which is a LOT of costumes for 10 minutes of being onstage. But I can't help but feel rejected in all this. I don't want to look like a spurned bitch so I'll volunteer to usher or something.
For those of you who don't know me well, I was very involved with theater and choir: I used to be in pretty much every show that my school put on. (never granted lead roles, mind you. which broke my heart every time). Now that I'm not in school anymore, I miss it. I was in Spraker's alumni show last March, which was a blast. I've been performing at faire for going on 3 seasons now.
But it's not enough.
I want to be on the stage again (this diva needs her stage, baby!!!). There's nothing that makes me happier than performing. I know I have a lot of room for growth as a actor and could have made some great progress by going to a 4 year college and majoring in acting or musical theater. But my heart chose a more stable career, as a Physical Therapist Assistant, where I can use my creative and nurturing side to help people regain their lives. I could never make a career out of being constantly judged. I hate auditioning more than anything in the world. I give worse performances for 4 judges than I do for hundreds of people onstage. I know I'm not the greatest actor in the world but it makes me happy to be a part of it. I had great hopes for this show in particular, because Ann Elizabeth knows all about not getting a second glance during the casting process due to having features that aren't the norm. She wanted a troupe of performers that love to perform. She gave us this great speech about all that and sounded just like Cathy from The Last 5 Years singing 'Climbing Uphill'. (How strange, I auditioned for my 2nd season of faire with that awesome song).
So much for my return to the stage. Maybe I can find a nice, small theater in the Milwaukee area willing to take me in...maybe I'll continue being miserable and doing all my performing as usual: belting my heart out along to various musicals in my car.
we'll see.
Friends, I want to update you on the situation with Crichton. Due to circumstances involving people's schedules, the availability and size of the performance space, and other considerations owing to this being our first production, the format of the show has changed, and the cast has been streamlined to a smaller number of people -- we're doing it as a 1940s radio show instead of as a fluffy parlor comedy. This has helped immensely in cutting back on the cost of costumes and props, and has allowed us to edit the script down to a tidy hour. But it's also cut into the number of people needed for the show...some roles have been trimmed completely; some performers will, for the sake of comedy and broad presentation, be playing multiple roles.
Some things I really want you to know:
- These changes weren't made because people were not "great" actors --
everyone brought so much to this show! And ALL of us have room to grow. For a first show, though, I believe it is necessary to put to best use our loudest, brashest people, so we make a big splash on the scene.
- Even though your roles have been cut or reassigned, I want you to be involved in the show, even if not in a performance capacity, if you
want to be involved in that way. We need lots of help in non-performance capacities
-- house management, wardrobe, prop setup/teardown, running lights (very minimal -- house to half during show; stage at full throughout)
- I want you involved in future Explosive Acts endeavors too!
Please drop me a return message or a phone call if you have any questions and/or would like to rally round and be a tech-involved person for the show. I really appreciate that you answered the call for more people in the first place -- you're the kind of people I like to
work with! Because it's a radio-show kind of thing, I would love for the techies to still dress 1940s, which is fun; I'll be out there helping out in my t-strap heels and scoop-neck cardigan too! (I myself will no longer be appearing in the show --
in order to focus better on coordination-type activities, I have taken myself out and given my role to another comedienne.)
I look forward to hearing from you -- take care!
So, my role has been eliminated because I suck? I know I'll never be in the loud and brash category.
I was really exited about being a part of this and now I've been cut? I'm assuming she meant I'm out because she only sent it to 3 people. I've been trying to get a hold of her thru email and phone calls for the past two weeks to let her know I will be missing out on rehearsals next week because I'll be out of town...and this is what I get??
I know that this was a huge project for a new acting company to take on. There are a dozen or so domestics in one scene, which is a LOT of costumes for 10 minutes of being onstage. But I can't help but feel rejected in all this. I don't want to look like a spurned bitch so I'll volunteer to usher or something.
For those of you who don't know me well, I was very involved with theater and choir: I used to be in pretty much every show that my school put on. (never granted lead roles, mind you. which broke my heart every time). Now that I'm not in school anymore, I miss it. I was in Spraker's alumni show last March, which was a blast. I've been performing at faire for going on 3 seasons now.
But it's not enough.
I want to be on the stage again (this diva needs her stage, baby!!!). There's nothing that makes me happier than performing. I know I have a lot of room for growth as a actor and could have made some great progress by going to a 4 year college and majoring in acting or musical theater. But my heart chose a more stable career, as a Physical Therapist Assistant, where I can use my creative and nurturing side to help people regain their lives. I could never make a career out of being constantly judged. I hate auditioning more than anything in the world. I give worse performances for 4 judges than I do for hundreds of people onstage. I know I'm not the greatest actor in the world but it makes me happy to be a part of it. I had great hopes for this show in particular, because Ann Elizabeth knows all about not getting a second glance during the casting process due to having features that aren't the norm. She wanted a troupe of performers that love to perform. She gave us this great speech about all that and sounded just like Cathy from The Last 5 Years singing 'Climbing Uphill'. (How strange, I auditioned for my 2nd season of faire with that awesome song).
So much for my return to the stage. Maybe I can find a nice, small theater in the Milwaukee area willing to take me in...maybe I'll continue being miserable and doing all my performing as usual: belting my heart out along to various musicals in my car.
we'll see.
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Sorry hunny
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Date: 2004-03-05 05:55 pm (UTC)At least you were cast. In my four and a half years at UIC as a performance theatre major, I was cast in ONE show. And the part was so teeny tiny, I was on for a blip in the beginning which consisted of 4 lines and for the rest of the show I merely moved props in period garb. Mind you, you had to be in a play to graduate. I met a few other students who never got cast in anything and had to have that class waived in order to graduate.
The only roles I've excelled in and starred in are the ones I created for myself. I put myself on the spot and poured my heart out. I wrote, directed and starred in my own show in our theatre group show (CCP=Chicago Circle Players). I'm no longer a member as you have to be a student. But I was able to get applause for me and be the center of attention. And I only got it because I was the one making the decisions.
You are a wonderful actress and you have a tremendous talent. Don't let this minor step back bring you down. And not only can you act, you can sing too!! Don't let those Bella Donna's bring you down either. I think you're better than all of them combined, not to mention you sing a lot better than the majority of them.
Again, I'm sorry your part was cut, but all you can do is try, try again.
I love you Melissa, don't forget that!!! You're an awesome actress, but an even awesomer friend :)
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Date: 2004-03-05 09:27 pm (UTC)