Momma Said There Would Be Days Like This

Last week I went to an on-camera audition for a commercial. I waited one hour and fifteen minutes to go in. The casting director spent 20 minutes "directing" us -- telling us that we should feel free to "play with the script" and not worry about memorizing. She repeated this information about 25 times. I memorized the script anyway, then focused on the talking points so I could make sure I'd hit them when I went in and started improvising for the director.

When I finally got into the room and got to do the take the director immediately stopped me when I said, "Hey, what's up?" instead of "Hey, how's it going?"

"Can we please stick to the script?" he said.
"Sure, sorry. I thought we were supposed to improvise," I said.
"Yes, but let's see the script first," he said, sounding weary. As if he had been saying it to actors all day long, hour after hour. I wondered why the casting director wasn't listening to the director. I think she was focused on jonesing for a cigarette.

So I went back to the script, even though there was no cue card in the room.

The guy I was auditioning with had to jog in place while I spewed info at him about some new cable TV option -- I was also running in place. I had a lot to say. Running and talking, running and talking.

The guy got all the direction, and it was suddenly very clear I was somehow not right for the part. But we did take after take after take anyway. Running and talking, running and talking. When we left the room, I was proud that I wasn't breathing heavily or dripping with sweat. I had maintained composure even though I was pissed off and disappointed in this total waste of time. As we were leaving the actor guy looked at me and complained that he was exhausted. I kicked him in the nuts and went home.

Not really.

But I wanted to. Instead I went out and had a cup of coffee and remembered that it's not usually so stupid out there. Not exactly. Not always. But sometimes it is.

And that's a part of the job. Glamorous, no?

And They're Gone!

So, um, those cabinets? Already taken. Wow. Gotta move quick like a bunny in this town, huh?

Kitchen Cabinets, Anyone?

A friend of mine hates to see these fab cabinets go to waste. If you're interested, tell her I sent you. Here's the info:

I recently moved out of my old apartment/office on 30th Street, and the landlord is going to gut the place. Thousands were spent on renovating my small kitchen, and it's now going to be scrapped. I hate to think of my cabinets just going to waste. They were from Home Depot and are quite nice. Do you know of anyone who could use them? The catch is, you have to physically remove them from the wall and take them away by the end of this weekend.

I've enclosed photos of the 5 cabinets, which are still in great shape. They are light maple, hang individually and can be used in any configuration.
The 2 corner glass cabinets are 18" wide. They're 12" deep at each side and go to 18" deep at the corners.
The middle glass cabinet is 18" wide and 12" deep. The three cabinets side by side (as seen) span about 58" from wall to wall.
The slim wood cabinet is 6" wide and 12" deep. (The photos show flower tile decorations that are no longer there.) These cabinets are all 36" high.
The 2-door wood cabinet is 24" wide by 12" deep by 18" high.

It would be great if I can get $100 for them, but if someone can't afford it, or if it's for charity, I would give them for free.

best,
Patrice

Contact e-mail:
PattiD5@aol.com
patricedonnell@gmail.com

Take It Off

Hey folks. I'm sure by now that all of you who can vote have registered. Just wanted to remind you that you can't wear any political buttons or t-shirts or any of that stuff to the polls. They will turn you away and you could lose your chance to have your voice heard. So take it off. Take it all off. Then go do your civic duty.

Rock on.

Audition Coach

Many of you have e-mailed me about audition coaches. And, amazingly, some folks think they don’t need a coach. Here’s the deal, if you’ve been sent out by an agent on several auditions and you’re not getting callbacks, you need a coach. Don’t skimp, it’s your career.

I highly recommend Jay Russell, he’s got a great acting resume -- having done everything from contemporary, classical and musical theater (B’way, Off-B’way and National tours) to film and television.

You can contact him at 917-664-9708 or e-mail at JARUW113@aol.com

Tell him I sent you!

Call For Short Solo Works

I got this e-mail and thought I'd pass it on to you, I think it sounds kind of cool. Let me know if you apply.
-Sheila

Call for Entries

As part of our development program, Artistic New Directions will host a Works-in-Progress of Solo Short Works at Shetler Studios, Theatre 54. Artistic New Directions is a not-for-profit company that supports, assists and encourages performing artists and their projects.

These solo shows should be polished, off book, ideally with a director attached, and enough along in their development that a public audience viewing will be helpful. Any genre…..comedy, polished sketch, clown work, storytelling, monologues, character pieces, etc. are welcome. Maximum running time for an individual performance is 10 minutes. These pieces can be stand alone or part of a longer version. If part of a longer version, they need to be coherent in their shorter form. In another words, they need to make sense for an audience not seeing the whole play.

Works in Progress is a bare bones presentation, i.e., minimum set pieces and light cues. Theatre 54 is a black box. There is a CD player. There is no storage at the theater and you will be responsible for any props and set pieces.

The dates are as follows: December 1, 2, 3 (Monday – Wednesday), with a possible tech rehearsal on Sunday, November 30.

Each entry will perform twice over the three nights.

There will be a meeting for all participants on Thursday, November 6th.

Please email proposed material to ANDJanice@aol.com along with any specific questions.

Proposals should include:
* a description of the project, including an estimated running time;
* the script (or what serves as the script)

* bios of currently involved artists (performer, writer and/or director)
* history of the project's development;

* contact information including phone number and email

Please include a contact person to serve as "producer/project liaison”. This person will be responsible for communications between your project and AND.

Deadline for submissions is October 10.

The originator of an accepted piece is responsible for delivering the finished piece, of overseeing his/her/their own show. Artistic New Directions will facilitate wherever possible. We cannot provide rehearsal space (though we wish we could).

We do welcome and encourage any performer to take advantage of our regular Anything Goes/open rehearsal on Wednesday nights at the 78th St. Theatre Lab.

Artistic New Directions will provide the performance venue and technical staff.

Visit www.artisticnewdirections.org

Hey There

Hello my wonderful former students.

I’ve been enjoying facebooking, e-mailing and having a cup of coffee with you here and there.

I’m still not back at AMDA yet, and I sure am starting to miss the classroom. On the other hand, I’ve been writing for my character Sandra O’Day and gearing up to do shows again. I hope to pull off a once-a-month type of performance beginning late fall/early winter. (www.sandraoday.com)

And I’ll need your help. So please check this blog weekly if you can. (I can tell from an analytic program I have that I get about one hit on this blog a month. So I know that’s not covering much.)

I’ve found that sending out a group e-mail often leads to mail bouncing back, because my list is too big and many e-mail programs think I’m spamming. And when I break my e-mail into groups it takes much longer, plus mail still gets bounced back.

So do me a favor.

Check in.

Stay in touch.

And if I give you my number call me. Please don’t give me your number and wait for me to call you. That just gives me work to do, know what I mean? The ball is in your court. And I love stopping into a Starbucks between appointments – coffee? Oh, yes. I'll buy you a cup as long as you don't buy that complicated frozen crap. Get an ice cream!

I was thinking back to when I first got out of school. I spent my first four months hiding in my apartment during a heat wave watching CNN. And I was really, really poor. Sad times, but hilarious.

So, for those of you totally freaking out wondering, “Cheese and crackers what do I do NOW?” I can only assure you – you’re on the right path.

Really. Trust me.

I’ll be posting internship notices, class information, news, and other great opportunities as they come in.

All the best.