Hokay, we're going to get on track with this thing. Where to begin? I'm going to strive for weekly updates, at the minimum, so that this can be something of an accurate reflection of where I am in my life.
In an alternate universe, where I have time to engage in yet another project, I'm also going to learn HTML so I can make this blog not look like the inside of a Protestant church (you know, because it's all white).
But probably in this reality that will never happen. I would be exceptionally proud if I just managed the weekly update.
SO:
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| Hungry Will! |
I'm back from the Adirondacks, and my six weeks working with the Adirondack Shakespeare Company. While I was there, I performed in six plays, played a dozen or so different roles, and learned and grew more than I have since the last time I left town, which was in 2011. A few highlights:
(Before I begin, I should preface by saying that Adirondack Shakespeare works in a peculiar way: instead of the rigid leadership role of a "Director," they have a position called the "Conductor," who is there to offer helpful suggestions and help you best achieve what you want to do with the character rather than dictating what you must do. Since they also only do about 15 hours of rehearsal before opening each play, you can see why this more open approach to the work is necessary. In practical terms, this means that the actor gets almost free-reign with his approach to the role and a chance to really explore what it means to him.)
Hotspur in Henry IV pt. 1 -- Man oh man was this a fun role to play. I should preface the following by saying that I really enjoy working with ADK Shakespeare in general, but I think it's in this kind of experience, where I get to play a role I am well-suited for and could easily play again, that I get the most out of their style. I know going forward with my career that I can bring a lot more to the table with Harry Percy now than if I had been shoehorned into someone else's vision from the beginning. My favorite part of playing this role was the epic fight we choreographed between Hal and Hotspur at play's end. Below is a video of the fight for your viewing pleasure (click HD, fool!):
The Queen in Richard II -- This was a role I was dreading from the beginning, but it ended up being a terrific challenge and a great experience. Playing women characters has always been interesting to me, but the Queen has an intense vulnerability and an obvious femininity that absolutely cannot be played for laughs. I was therefore a little nervous I might just end up looking ridiculous, especially since ADK Shakes doesn't allow the actor the kind of costuming and makeup that might better create the illusion that I was female.
In the end, though, I think it worked out. I would guess that in the photos, out of context, I absolutely do look ridiculous, but the place that Tara (who played Richard) and I got to together, especially in the Royal Couple's final scene, is something I stand by.
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| Hey, you can't say I wasn't brave :). |
Another set of thank-yous has to go out to talented actors and friends Meghan Blakeman and Kate Dylan, without whom the makeup for Caliban would have been whatever I could manage to clumsily smear on myself before going on. Thank you both!!
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| A rare moment standing up. |
As for me, the return to the city has not brought anything resembling rest with it. In addition to returning to my musical theater and actor training, I've been taking a new Musical Theater Audition class with CD Arnold Mungioli, talking over two possible theatrical productions for the new year, writing a webseries, and just generally trying to get out and see everyone and everything in town before the terrible, terrible Winter descends upon us all once more. Most exciting of all, I'll be back in the rehearsal room in just a few short weeks! December will bring the openings of two plays with Spicy Witch Productions in Manhattan: Two Gentlemen of Verona and Sexual Perversity in Chicago (although we're still waiting on the rights to the latter, so that could change!)
...just reading all of the above over again has made me realize I don't have time to drag this post out any further. Comments and shout-outs welcome below. Love you all!
