An Actor's Education

August 4, 2012

The madness of king Lear
Two man reduced production of Lear was quite impressive. The eclectic nature of the soundtrack(rammstein, koyannisqatsi, soul and punk etc) really added a bizarre quality to the fool, making him several times more esoteric than in comparison to the text. Lear is a role I dream of 40 years down the line, or perhaps 20 if aging continues as such :p.

The one note I’ve been given about fringe festivals. Don’t let the poster be the only thing that entices you. Looking up reviews isnt easy however when it’s a world premiere.

Prodigious was a dance theatre piece focused around the music of prodigy. What’s not to like? At least in my opinion. The dancers had a story clearly presented, and it was a great thing being. I the front row for this show. I’ve found that this is the case with every show. There were a few things that could be ironed out with the show, mainly transitions. Nevertheless, it was a great piece.

I heart Hamas
This piece brought up a lot of great political discussion points. I realize that many of you would disagree with the show on its title. That does not, however, make it any less valid as a theatrical work. Controversy is indeed a friend of theatre. Jennifer Jajeh, the performer, came out on stage, and told her story. The life of a first generation palestiNian Christian actress who speaks rusty Farsi, and prefers English. I laughed and thought. That’s all I could ask.

Us beef

This musical drama was great. It was food inc with a really dry crackling sense of humor. Again, sitting in front row, you get that fantastic experience. The humorous and poignant moments shifted so seamlessly that at times laughter was still happening at moments of true pain. Loved this, and it’s clear that all the actors did as well.

Agony and ecstasy of Steve jobs

Any apple fanboy would have laughed, cried, and thought twice about the iPhone, iPod, iPad, or MacBook pro in their possession. The story focuses around the creation of Apple, and how Jobs could be a repugnant ass at times… Ok all of the time. But he was a geniust. Then we are transported to the Foxconn factory in china, where terrible work. Conditions have led to a high suicide rate,cot which Foxconn responded to by placing nets around the building. the actor/presenter in interviewing the workers found a terrible truth about the company he cherished for years, and still cherishes, but wishes to jailbreak the audience into realizing that there is not a robotic line creating all these electronics. Handmade by children as young as 11, there is a higher cost to the products we consume.

The Complex: Oedipus
A play focused around the players who must eternally perform oedipus Rex till he realizes and accepts his fate, but they have grown weary and tired of staying the course. They alter the language in an attempt to change the world of the play, but to no avail. Really enjoyed the concept and the modernization of Oedipus. This group is doing another show called the complex:Electra thati am seeing today. Looking forward to it.

Mark Grist: Rogue Teacher
This is the English professor who blew up on reddit a while back. He has since quit teaching to become a full time poet, and describes the struggles that he has endured since then. This was a turning point for me in realizing that one can make it in this industry if they set. Their mind to it. He was himself on stage, launching into performance here and there, but altogether a great raconteur. Would definitely recommend him to anyone pursuing spoken word.

Pics on Facebook of the show posters.

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August 1, 2012

The gambler

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August 1, 2012

First two shows

As Ye Sow
pleasance dome jack dome
This is billed as a psycho horror drama. It lived up to that for sure. Dealt with a man riddled with guilt and ghosts living out his last days in a nursing home. Hauntedby his past action of accidentally killing his wife,his daughter comes I with an idea to help with their financial woes. Sell a part of his old farm. He doesn’t want to do this, as the body is buried on the farm. There were honest moments of fear with this production

The gambler by theatre re
pleasance dome jack dome
Pure magic this show was. The actors formed a trifecta on stage of real beauty. A man living out his past again through his adept used cards, he sees his highs again, when his voice was light and not wrecked with downfall. The main actor could age himself fantastically on stage. I can still feel the joy I felt watching this production. The pianist/violinist was superb, and really gave a form to the play, so that silence never interfered. Seeing this play kindled my love for theatre even more. And this is only the first day. The artistic director was very kind (also lead actor) after the show. Good making connections. 5 stars on my end.

Theatre re information:http://www.retheatre.fr/theatre_re/theatre_re.html

I was sitting here with a little time on my hands. Look for more show info in a bit.

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August 1, 2012

Todd various, street performer

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August 1, 2012

Fringe about to start

Last night I was picking up groceries when I ran into a group of women who are producing a show together. Luckily, I can see it, even with the schedule I already have planned. Spoke to more street artists and performers. A lot of love for the work they do. I have the flat basically to myself till Saturday, which is pretty cool. Wrote out a few things, ideas for a film, a spoken word piece, and that one man show. I’ll keep y’all posted.

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July 30, 2012

Haggis, a weaponized penguin and street performers in pubs

These past two days I’ve sunk myself into Edinburgh quite well. Ive tried haggis, which if you don’t know what it is, the pictures are attached in another post. It is mostly a psychological thing. If you don’t mind ground beef seasoned with wild oats, then haggis is no different. A bucket list item for sure. I went to brew dog today, a brewery that makes tactical nuclear penguin, a 32% abv beer. I sampled this. It has the full bodied sweetness of an imperial stout, but will send you for a trip if you take it down too fast. Meant to be sipped for sure. Feels like whiskey, with a consistency bordering a liqueur. Great drink for sure. Went to a pub with a group of street performers. One guy from this group gave me this lovely bit of advice “if you don’t love this work enough to be poor with it, feck off so someone else with more drive doesn’t have to compete with you.” I used something I learned from gaiety… After that exchange I think he saw that I was genuine. Great times to be had still. The picture is only of the shows I’ve previously arranged to see, 19 total there. The free shows add on another 12, and I’m buying tickets for 3 more shows. That totals to 34. Think how long it takes to see 34 shows. I’m doing that in a week basically. Solid.

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July 30, 2012

Goodbye gaiety

So much has been given to me in the past month. Fantastic times with a group of Americans with a lot of talent. I got a really good comment and critique all wrapped up in one statement from the director of the program, mr. Patrick sutton ” you’re a good actor, but you need to work on your eye contact.” got the same note from Pam and Kashi back at Lehigh u. Something to work on for sure, but I’m consciously adjusting it. Still practicing the vocal work I picked up from there, and keeping the monologues I worked on there fresh in the mind. Who knows, I might work on them at some point in the future.

Covered works of:
Samuel Beckett
J.M. Synge
Sean O’casey
Brian Friel
James Joyce

Thanks Bridgette, Maeve, Michelle, Molly, Naomi, Shannon and Rory for an awesome set of memories

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July 30, 2012