Endings and Beginnings...

Last night Village of Idiots closed at Walterdale. The cast was still partying when I left at 2 a.m. It was a fun filled show with a wonderful message and for me, a great experience. Being Set Designer was probably the most stressful job I have ever done on a show, but very rewarding. The show went very well. We Sold Out at least 4 of our 10 night run and all of the evenings were well-attended. A great way to end my tenure as Artistic Director at Walterdale. On Opening Night of Village I talked about how it was an appropriate show for Walterdale because we are a village of sorts. Everyone has their role in the community and we love each other and sometimes we get along and sometimes we don't but we all care about the village and what we do there. I know I do. We also, like the Chelmniks, find creative ways to approach things. It is what makes theatre so fun!

The next season has started already. Auditions for the first show, Neil LaBute's Reasons to be Pretty, have been held and as soon as casting is complete and everyone is contacted I will be posting that information here for you all to sneak peek who is involved. I will also be posting a Blog Post to introduce you to our new Artistic Director, Sarah Van Tassel, to let you know what she is all about and what she will be bringing to Walterdale. Stay tuned for those posts. Wyrd Sisters is also bustling with pre-production work. I am Master Painter for that show so I am in the know on all those dealings. I will be posting an audition notice for you all, as soon as possible.

So one season ends and another begins... And in between is Fringe!

From Cradle to Stage 2011 - Closing Night

Tonight is Closing Night for From Cradle to Stage 2011. I have truly enjoyed the From Cradle to Stage experience over the last two years of my tenure as Artistic Director. I have been involved in the festival in some capacity over the last 6 seasons, and to me it has a special place in my heart. I think because I am also a Playwright in addition to acting and directing (and coming soon, set designing) that I love this show so much. There are certainly places where you can, as a new playwright, get your work onstage, but many of them involve self-producing (Fringe, Indie theatre) or special age considerations (NextFest or high school festivals or other emerging artist opportunities) or a certain level of experience (Professional theatres). For the playwright who starts out late (as I did) or who lacks the resources to self-produce this is wonderful opportunity. We have amped it up as well, by incorporating in Dramaturgy (with Brian Dooley and Tracy Carroll these past two seasons) to develop the work and assist our playwrights in really seeing where they could take their work. It also provides opportunities for directors and actors who get to be the first to explore and produce the stories onstage. How many chances do you get where you get to be the first?

I hope that you make it out tonight to see the shows if you haven't already. I will be there. Maybe I will see you there?

Last Chance to Catch Jimmy Dean

Tonight is Closing Night. Call Tix on the Square or take your chances at the door. It's a great show with a nice strong, even cast! A wonderful way to start the 51st Season!

Following the show, the cast, crew and production team will strike the set and clean the theatre and then they will have a little party (a well-deserved celebration of their hard work!).