Sunday Summary — November 3, 2012
Despite the trying week on the East Coast, we had a great week or insightful and emotional posts.
The Redheaded Actress wrote about the promotional photo shoot she produced.
The California Triple-Threat asked for suggestions on how to stay productive while working out of town.
The Growing Artist pondered the worth of prepping for auditions with a reader.
The Underdog Actor celebrated his new survival job.
And The Crazy Theatre Artist wrote about her experiences with a literary internship.
Literary Internship
So along with the numerous amount of things I’m juggling in my life right now, one of those things is a Literary Internship (and it’s paid!). The main part of what I do is that I read new plays and write an evaluation on them. So far, I love this experience I have so far doing this. It’s a really relaxed atmosphere with a good and small theatre company and as long as I do my work things go smoothly. From my time doing this so far, I feel like a literary internship would be beneficial for any early career theatre artist.
No matter if you want to be an actor, director, writer, designer, dramaturg, or stage manager, you need to know how to analyze and interpret scripts that way you can create your own vision. Getting literary experience has to be one of the best ways to make that happen. Especially for anyone in NYC, since new play development is such a strong and common thing around here this is something that really helps one develop their own point of view.
Another thing it helps is how to tell a strong script from one that can still use some revisions. Having a literary internship makes those differences clearer in not just telling the difference, but why is has that difference. You focus even more on character development, plot, structure, dialogue, dramatic action, and themes in a way you usually don’t do when working on a show in one way or another. It gives you a chance to look at a script in a whole new light.
Along with that, with a literary internship you have to evaluate in one way or another the scripts you read. As the saying goes “Everyone is a critic” and whether we like to admit it or not it really is true. It’s not a bad thing, but a way that we learn and grow as human beings (it’s only bad when people are criticizing instead of being constructive). So being able to write-up your own evaluation on a script’s strengths and weakness’ will only help you in any aspect of theatre you are interested in.
Particularly for Playwrights and Dramaturgs it’s such a valuable experience, since a large part of a Dramaturgs job is to analyze a script and give their feedback on how it can be better (without of course telling the playwright what to do). While playwrights (like all other theatre artists can see the difference between strong scripts and one’s the still need work, and place it into context with their own work as to where they can improve so they can write stronger plays.
Overall, I’d recommend any early career theatre artist to do literary work at some point. It really does help you understand plays, their development, and creating your visions through its context stronger. Plus, it’s an incredibly helpful thing to have on your resume, since it’s not a very common thing to have, and makes professionals become more impressed with you as a theatre artist.
Listen to the Money
7 Years ago I went out on the streets with an orange shirt and some white face paint. I began my busking career without intending to. I was only doing it for fun, something I had thought about trying and this August day seemed like a good one to try. I made $6 that day, over about 3 hours of “miming.” I use the quotes for many reasons, but mostly cause I still don’t know that I am necessarily the definition of a mime, but it is the easiest thing for people to call me. But this blog is not about the art, the craft, the risk I took, it’s about the money….sort of.
I had a teacher, (who has since passed), whom I would love to say encouraged me to try my hand at busking, but he discouraged me in fact. He said “You’re not ready, it’s tough out there.” This held me back a year from doing it, but I finally got the balls and did, and I made some money. At first it was very little. It took a while before it became enough to actually live on and even when it did (and still now) I always doubt that it is, but the point of this blog is, the money came. The money started small, but then there were a few years when it was big, there is a commercial I booked as a silver guy which has made me a few thousand for three hours of work and every now and then up pops a party where I can make a few easy hundred. In fact, I have done this so long, it has become almost expected, which sucks in a way, but like any survival job, it gets old if you’re not doing what you want to be right? But this blog post is not about me being tired of my job, it’s about the money…sort of.
I’ve been responding to many craigslist ads in the writing/editing jobs and writing gigs section. Why? Because I need money, and because I love to write. I have, in the last four weeks, gotten 4 different paid writing jobs. Now none of them are going to make me rich and some are ridiculous in their nature (one I write comments about popular current events that people would write on youtube or a yahoo chat room). But the point isn’t what the job is per se, but that I am getting paid to write. One of them is a pretty legit gig where I am writing the script for a live new show about bourbon and one I am getting paid to write funny blog columns out of my own mind. But this blog is not about what I am doing, it is about the money….sort of.
Though little the money may be, there is some going into my paypal account in exchange for my words. I can only hope in 7 years, I feel the way about the beginning of my professional writing career as I do today about my busking career, cause that would mean I made a living for 7 years (mostly) as a writer, I hope I am prouder and more excited about that one however. I still act, and of course I still busk, but this tool, the one I am sharpening right this second, I am hoping to promote to the front of my belt. Let’s see how that goes.
To Read, Or Not To Read
In the past, I have worked as a reader. I enjoy being a reader, because not only am I helping other actors in their audition prep, but it’s great practice for me as well. It never hurts to work on your cold read skills. I don’t usually work with a reader, because my roommate is willing to help when I have an audition. Recently, I got an audition, and I decided to switch it up a bit. I did read with my roommate, but I worked with a reader as well. It was a great experience, and I think I will definitely consider this option for my next audition. It was nice to get a different take on the scene. The sides I had to prepare were very emotional, and they required me to have very good timing. You never know how the reader in the room is going to read the scene, and it’s nice to hear a couple different takes on it. From my experience as a reader and someone who has used a reader, here are my reasons for hiring a reader:
- It is less expensive than hiring a coach, and you have the freedom to use your own approach with your character – whereas a coach may try to direct or persuade you in a different direction.
- It will give you the feeling of being “in the room”. Instead of simply reading through the scene by yourself, you can imagine yourself in the room and play off the reader. It will help your timing, emotions, and character development.
- By running through the scene over and over, you can hear your cues, and it will help you memorize your lines more efficiently, rather than just running them by yourself.
- Rather than running the lines with a family member or close friend, you are getting a “stranger’s” take on the scene. Ideally, you won’t know the reader in the audition room either, so this will help you feel more comfortable with the scenario.
There is also the job of being an audition reader. However, that can be a different experience all together. I did this once before as well. It was really interesting to be on the other side of the casting table. It makes you more aware of your choices as an actor, and I definitely recommend doing it if you are given the opportunity.
A reader may not be for everyone, but I have definitely benefited from using one – and I’m pretty sure I will use one again in the future. Have you used a reader in the past? Was it a positive experience, and would you use one again?
Busy Work: I’m Doing It Wrong.
Booking out. I’m not very good at it. Doing an out-of-town show truly is a HUGE plus to our otherwise-not-so-glamourous lives as actors. I mean, I have a guest house all to myself, a pool that no one else ever seems to use, and oh yeah, I’m in a show? But compared to the busy bustle of living in LA, it’s hard for me to find enough to do in a small town when I’m not in rehearsal. What have I done in the 24 hours since my last rehearsal? I’m embarrassed to admit…
1 hour going on a run
3 hours browsing Backstage, Answers4Dancers, and Actors Equity.
1 hour reviewing my script and rehearsal schedule
2 hours watching episodes of FRIENDS while crocheting legwarmers
9 hours sleeping
1 hour reading Green Room Blog and thinking about what I should next write about.
2 hours researching talent agencies
45 minutes talking to a friend who is just getting started in theater.
15 minute abdominal workout
1 hour tanning by the pool while memorizing my script
3 hours (if not parts of those other hours as well) on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
HELP! Clearly I don’t have my priorities in line. I am such a self-motivated person when I have inspiration, but in situations like this, when I have one project and too much time to do it in, I become a couch potato. I have 4 more weeks and I really need to get down to business (and defeat the Huns). What I really want to do is find new monologues, work on my reel, record new songs, practice playing my keyboard, and finish memorizing my script! Please please please, dear readers and fellow bloggers, share with me your ways to stay busy and motivated???
Actor-Producer Chronicles: The Promotional Photo Shoot
You’ll have to excuse my recent absence from the front-end of the blog. I’m always working behind-the-scenes, but I haven’t written a post in a hot second.
You see, things have been a bit crazy because…I booked a show!! So exciting, right? I’m currently rehearsing “The Crucible” as Mary Warren. I know…awesome. But I’m also still juggling my survival jobs, and the producer work I had lined up for this month (all also awesome), so my schedule has been a little jam-packed.
But I wanted to take a few minutes to update you all, both on my Crucible news and on how things are progressing on the Actor-Producer front. We had our promotional photo shoot this past week, and I wanted to share my step-by-step process!
Get inspired
First comes the inkling of an idea, which is great. But then you need a bit more solid inspiration to start lining up the specifics of your shoot. Make a bulletin board of photos that inspire you on this project — real or online. Pinterest is great for this. Here’s the board I created that inspired our shoot:
Line up a photographer
I happened to know the most fantastic photographer for this job — Jillian of 60b Photography. Jillian is the sister of an actress friend of mine, and she took photos of me for my website a couple of years back, so I knew her work was stellar:
Pick a date
I waited until I knew when Jillian was free to choose a date because I knew I wanted her onboard. You might find that your date is more important than your photog, but either way, choose early! That way everyone involved has time to plan. Keep the weather in mind, as well as the availability of your potential locations.
Pick a location
I started by googling “castles in New York area” looking for the perfect spot to set our pictures. There are many amazing options, but Belvedere Castle in Central Park was the obvious choice, since it’s both picturesque, and super accessible.
Gather your wardrobe
I knew that we needed a very authentic-looking and lavish period dress to sell this shoot, and since we’re still quite a ways away from the actual show, we haven’t hired a costumer yet. On a small budget, as well, I had the idea to approach several online sellers of Tudor dresses to see if they would be interested in loaning us a dress in exchange for our beautiful pictures and an ad in the show program. All of them agreed, so I was able to choose the seller whose work I most admired. Midnight Breeze Designs came through beautifully, and I could not be more grateful for Virginia’s beautiful work.
Make some props
I had a lot of fun learning how to make a beautiful crown and spray-painting the edges of a thrift store book to look like a bible:
All of these “checklist items” can be a lot of fun if you use your creative self 🙂
Hire a makeup artist (if you can)
As a creative person, you have probably run into a lot of other creative people during your time in the biz — ask them to get involved! You might be surprised at how willing people are to join in on a fun project that you’re passionate about. Maleeva was someone I knew from college, and she did an amazing job on our shoot.
So after all of my jabbering, are you ready to see the final product? Here are a couple of teasers:
Pretty stunning, right? I couldn’t be more excited! To see more pictures (and stay up-to-date with our production news), head on over to our facebook page.
I can’t wait to get these on all of our promotional material, including posters, postcards, programs, and more! Have you ever produced a promotional photo shoot? Do you have any tips to add?
Catch up on all of The Redheaded Actress’ Actor-Producer Chronicles here:
Sunday Summary — October 28, 2012
Let’s hear it for our fabulous writers, old and new, who have been working hard to bring you wonderful new content every day this month!
The California Triple-Threat advised us to act like the next show has already been booked.
The Underdog Actor contemplated whether it’s harder to land an agent the longer you go without one.
The Crazy Theatre Artist shared some of her goals as a Director.
The Late-Blooming Actor opened up about his very first audition.
And The Growing Artist gave us a look inside of her vocalist gig bag.
What’s In My [Vocalist] Gig Bag?
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am a vocalist. I sing with different bands. I have performed with rock bands in the past, and I am currently singing with a jazz band. We recently performed at one of our monthly gigs, and it inspired me to write about some of the things I bring to gigs. Most musicians have what is called a “Gig Bag”. They use this to carry their instrument, charts, picks, tuner, etc. I haven’t heard of many vocalists taking a “Gig Bag”, since we usually don’t have a lot to bring – however, I like to be prepared. Besides the obvious items – water, lozenges, lip balm, extra cash, etc.- here are some of my “Must Have” items. Even if you aren’t a vocalist, some of these items can be helpful if you are singing in a show or even just have to do a lot of speaking for a project!
- Throat Coat Tea This tea is amazing. I purchase it at my local health foods store, but you can get it online as well. It contains licorice root, so it is very soothing, and it helps to (as the title implies) coat your throat. It’s also a life saver if you have to do a lot of singing or speaking and you have a sore throat! I like to drink this before I leave for a gig, and I even bring a few of the teabags in my gig bag. If I am performing at a restaurant or cafe, I can just ask for a cup of hot water – and voilà!
- A Capo This may seem like something a vocalist wouldn’t need – but I disagree. If I feel I perform a song the best in a certain key, I don’t want to take the chance that the guitarist I am working with will forget his/her capo. I can always sing a song in a different key, but I want to do my best when I am performing – so I always bring a spare capo, just in case. I purchased an inexpensive 12 string capo online. I recommend getting a 12 string capo, because that way it will fit, whether the guitarist you work with plays a 6 string or a 12 string guitar.
- A Flashlight The venues we perform in are often darkly lit – pubs, romantic cafes, restaurants, etc. It is always good to have a flashlight on hand. You may need to adjust the sound levels on your amp, find something in your gig bag, etc. I know some vocalists who keep a reading light on their music stand so they can see their lyrics. I prefer not to use lyric sheets, but if that’s something that works for you – a reading light might be the way to go!
- Binder Clips If you are performing at an outdoor venue, or even at a venue that has a very pesky ceiling fan – binder clips are a “Must Have”. You can easily clip your lyrics or assist the other musicians in clipping their charts to the music stands. It’s not easy to get into your performance while you are running after the papers that have blown away.
- Business Cards This may seem like a pretty obvious thing to have, but it’s a very important part of being a performer. The last thing you want to do is be caught off guard by a prospective employer. Believe me – I know this from experience. You live, and you learn.
- A Hand Percussion Instrument It’s always good to have something to tap out the beat during an instrumental solo when you’re not singing. Some examples are a tambourine, maracas, egg shakers, sleigh bells (depending on the season), cow bells, finger cymbals, etc. Evaluate the style of your band, and find something that will go well with the genre. I usually keep a tambourine and maracas in my gig bag, and when the season rolls around – sleigh bells.
If you are a musician, or you do something similar, I would love to hear what you carry in your “Gig Bag”. Good luck!
The Green Room 
