Congratulations to Vampire Cowboys for eight New York Innovative Theater Awards nominations for FightGirlBattleWorld! It was one of my favorite shows this year and I am thrilled for everyone involved. 

Spell, the play I'm currently in, has three more performances, tomorrow the 20th at 8pm, Sat. the 23rd at 4pm and Sun. the 24th at 8pm at the Brick Theater in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 575 Metropolitan Avenue. It's directed by Ian W. Hill and assisted by Berit Johnson of GeminiCollisonWorks. It's about an American woman named Ann, played by the fantastic Moira Stone, who has committed an act of terrorism. Or is it an act of patriotism? Is violence ever justified and if so, when? The question my character is most interested in as her interrogator is, however, why? Why did she do it? 

In the week after 9/11, I think it was Newsweek, or maybe Time had a cover story titled "Why Do They Hate Us?" My initial reaction was,  "Who cares what the reasons are? What could justify such a terrible and destructive act of violence? Just find out who did it and make sure it doesn't happen again." It's been useful in the rehearsal process to remember that feeling, because it was a feeling based on emotion, not an intellectual response. My character, however, has the responsibility to sublimate her emotions and use her intellect and training to get the truth.  For more information about the show and the two other GeminiCollisonWork productions running in rep with Spell, check out Ian's blog http://collisonwork.livejournal.com.

 I've seen both shows, Harry In Love and Everything Must Go and highly recommend both. 

Here we go

 One of my favorite parts of the rehearsal process is the research that goes into creating a character and discovering the world of the play. I want to use this blog to write about the research sources I've found and to get feedback and ideas from anyone who may have information, i.e favorite books or films pertaining to the subject at hand, personal experiences, or other resources they wish to share. Also, if anyone is working on a project of his or her own and looking for help in research, please let me know or post the question for others. 

Hope that doesn't sound boring. 

I'm also looking forward to using this blog as a diary of my own rehearsal process. I've never written it down before.  I think  I'm just getting to a place now as an actor where I have a language I can communicate to others about what I do and how. I hope knowing others may read it will challenge me to simplify and clarify my work. I will only write about what I am doing unless another actor or director gives express permission for me to discuss what is going on in rehearsal. Otherwise, when I mention other people, it will only be about a great performance and/or production I feel should not be missed. 

 

Hi

Hi, this is my new blog. It's my only blog and my first blog too. blog, blog blog. 

Suddenly, I'm shy.