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[post_content] => Every thespian has a meltdown now and again — after all, it’s called drama, isn’t it? Here is a list of freakout moments that can get to even the coolest of cucumbers once in awhile:
You’re about to make your entrance, and suddenly, you can’t find that all-important phone you need to answer during your scene or some other inanimate object that’s essential to you not looking like a total fool in the next 30 seconds. And no, making a fake phone with your fingers is not going to cut it.
There’s nothing quite like that moment when all your backstage hijinks can be heard by the audience and the fourth wall has definitely, definitely been broken.
Whether you have to attend your cousin’s wedding, jury duty or your high school graduation, life happens — and so does rehearsal. You’d sooner miss your own prom than miss rehearsal, so how do you choose?
You’re two days away from opening night and your voice suddenly sounds less like a soaring soprano and more like … well, nothing at all. Yep, it’s okay to freak out.
Actors tend to have special attachments to their makeup boxes and the contents inside, so when they’re messed with, it sparks a fury no one ever thought a missing eye pencil could cause. No words can describe your feelings when you can’t find your cold cream after a show.
It’s a terrifying moment at any audition when someone sings the same 16 bars you’re about to sing. You know it’s bound to happen sometimes, but it’s still a total bummer when it happens to you.
Whether you have to memorize too many lines in a small amount of time or have too few lines than you thought you’d have, line counting always brings out the anxiety in any actor.
A missing wardrobe piece is just as bad as a missing prop — or worse, depending on what it is. Tap dancing with one shoe is pretty bad, but missing your pants might be just a teensy bit worse.
The dreaded cast list posting is sure to cause a fuss one way or another. Whether your director is taking too long to post it or your name isn’t where you thought it would be on the list, you’re gonna need an antacid and a yoga class to get your nerves untangled after it goes up.
Dressing room real estate is a big deal. As much as you love your castmates, you don’t love it so much when their wig head and flat iron end up in your prep area.
You’re onstage, it’s your cue and your mind is totally blank — except for the part that’s freaking out wondering whether it would be better to make a jump for it into the orchestra pit.
No actor likes it when his or her lines are stepped on. You may accept that this happens sometimes, but when it becomes a chronic problem, you tend to go just a little crazy.
It’s cool, you just have to change out of your costume completely and switch your hairstyle and makeup in 20 seconds. No need to freak out; it’s plenty of time. Oh, don’t forget you have to run through the lobby first to enter from the opposite side of the stage. Totally cool.
You’re trying to quiet your mind and center yourself before your big, dramatic entrance, and a fellow thespian won’t stop whisper-talking your ear off. Hey, zip it!
Your choreographer expects you to be the next Baryshnikov in your “Guys and Dolls” number; meanwhile, you’re still trying to master the plié.
Your laugh lines didn’t get any laughs, so you blame the acoustics and then go home to cry into your pillow.
Located on West 44th Street in the Theatre District, Sardi’s Restaurant is the ultimate tourist destination for the Broadway enthusiast. Sardi’s is best known for its collection of caricatures from the Broadway scene. This tradition began when Vincent Sardi decided to recreate a restaurant in Paris with caricatures of film celebrities. Instead, he honored Broadway. He hired artist Alex Gard to draw the caricatures, and he continued to draw in exchange for free meals until he died in 1948. Sardi’s is also the famous site of where Brock Pemberton created the idea of the Tony Awards to honor Antoinette Perry.
sardis.com
Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Times Square is not just a dining experience — it is also a 1950s-style diner with a singing waitstaff, the Stardusters. You can eat some classic American food while hearing your favorite Broadway showtunes and other popular songs. Open from 7 a.m. to midnight, it’s the perfect place to grab some grub with the family before a matinee or evening show.
ellensstardustdiner.com
Shubert Alley, which links West 44th and 45th streets, earned its name from successful producers Lee and Jacob J. Schubert, whose offices overlooked the alley. It originally functioned as an exit for the Shubert and Booth theaters, and actors were often seen lining up in the alley for audition calls. Today, Shubert Alley is not only an iconic landmark for show business, but it is the location of many popular Broadway events, such as Stars in the Alley, Broadway Barks and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market and Auction. Shubert Alley is also home to One Shubert Alley, a gift shop exclusively for Broadway lovers and theatre nerds.
Located on West 46th Street, Joe Allen Restaurant is Sardi’s antithesis. Instead of glorifying Broadway’s greatest accomplishments, it celebrates all the flops that have come and gone on the Great White Way. The tradition started when the cast of the show “Kelly” gave the restaurant a poster for their show. When the show closed after one performance, Joe Allen decided he might as well hang it up in the restaurant. While no producer hopes to see their show on the wall in Joe Allen’s, it’s nice to know that even the most unlucky Broadway shows aren’t forgotten.
joeallenrestaurant.com
The Drama Book Shop is hands-down the best resource for theatrical material in NYC. It has a supply of over 8,000 plays and is the working actor’s dreamland. The shop also has a black box theatre in the basement, workshops upstairs and a balcony of musical scores in addition to a plethora of resources for anyone in show business. Find a comfy chair and browse through plays to find your next go-to monologue!
dramabookshop.com
If you want to experience the thrill of a Broadway show in a more relaxed setting, look no further than Broadway’s living room, Feinstein’s/54 Below. This nightclub and dining atmosphere hosts up to three shows per night, so there is always something fun to see! A popular hangout for Broadway stars to blow off steam, let loose, and give intimate concerts. If you’re currently a student with a high school or college ID, it offers half-price student rush tickets 30 minutes before the show. Or, if you only want to get a quick, quality meal, pre-show dining starts at 5 p.m. and goes until around 6:30 p.m. If you want to see some of your favorite Broadway stars and enjoy a night of live music, stop by West 54th Street between Broadway and 8th for an elegant night on the town!
54below.com
Because, appropriate…
Seriously. Get a life, Javert.
We can’t even argue.
There’s also a bizarre number of “‘Mean Girls”-related “Les Mis” memes.
See?
We told you. “Les Mis” and “Mean Girls” are a match made in heaven.
Really.
There’s so many. (And we love them.)
This one was practically asking to be made.
There are even non-‘Les Mis’ ‘Les Mis’ memes
Including this one with the most miserable of them all, Grumpy Cat!
When you can commiserate with Aladdin...
But... it's pretty much true!
Javert, master of disguise.
Touche.
Reasonable.
Les Miserable photoshop skills.
“...and memes were made and used and wasted…”
And that's a wrap folks!
Well, consider this: For a person with so much power, directors have surprisingly little control. It’s this fact that will ultimately drive any director a little crazy.
You see, a good director approaches each project with a vision and master plan. In their minds, they create an ideal idea upon which the entire show is based.
Directors surround themselves with helpers to create this vision. The designers take the idea and make it a reality, the stage manager keeps everyone on time, on task and on spot, the actors bring it to life and the crew puts in the hard labor to make it all happen.
Directors work with all of them and do their best to get what is in their head out onto the stage. And, they are on the lookout for people who will do the same. But, it’s a competitive world out there. What can you do to prove you’re the best person for the job? How are you going to stand out?
The following are five things you can do to impress your director and help bring their vision of the show to life:
However, a good director will never give up on that vision and will therefore talk until they die if that means they’ll be able to get you to heed what they say. You might as well make peace with it and stop talking during notes. Who knows? It may even mean you get out of rehearsal at a (relatively) reasonable hour.
Personal space just doesn’t work in theatre. We’re not just talking about physical space, which you can expect will be intruded upon immediately upon meeting the costume crew and their endless supply of measuring tape. We’re also talking about intellectual and emotional space.
There should be a disclaimer on every audition sheet that reads, “This show contains emotions and, if cast, you will be expected to connect. Can you do this? Check yes or no.”
Good theatre is visceral. It’s intimate. It’s personal. You cannot have a great show if you aren’t committed to that. You have to let your guard down and let people in. You have to share your feelings and connect with the material and the other people you are working with. As a natural introvert, I can totally understand how hard it can be to tear down those inner walls. But once you do, you’ll find a power within yourself that you never knew you had. You will get rave reviews, the admiration of your peers and the deepest respect of your director.
So, when you’re offstage, you need to learn to do a special backstage tiptoe walk. Heels and tap shoes should stay off your feet until just before your cue to enter. You have to learn to communicate by reading lips and gesticulating wildly. It’s the quietest — and most intense — game of charades you’ll ever play in your life. If you feel a sneeze or cough coming on, run like the dickens (quietly, of course) to the dressing room to let it out.
Onstage is entirely different. When you’re onstage, the director never seems to hear you, unless you don’t want them to. It’s something about the acoustics.
According to a great professor I once had, the following are the three rules of elocution:
Directors, don’t forget to encourage this, too. It promotes participation and trust, keeps everyone on their toes and ensures people are invested. Most importantly, it makes rehearsals more relaxed and fun, which is why everyone participates in this in the first place.
By keeping these five things in mind, you can make your director love you — and you want your director to love you. Most directors tend to be very loyal and like working with people they know and trust. Essentially, theatre is a big gamble. No one wants to fail, so directors make safe bets by getting the best people on board. Once you’ve proven to a director that you are a tried-and-true talent, you can make your own bets that you will be one of the first people they turn to.
I’m here to help you tell the story of the show as best as you can. That can’t happen if your shoes are too small, your pants too big, or if you keep tripping on your skirt’s hem. I’m happy to resolve any issues, but you have to communicate with me.
The musical is based on the 1997 animated film voiced by Hollywood stars like Meg Ryan, John Cusack, and Kelsey Grammer. However, unlike the stage adaptations of other animated favorites like Beauty and the Beast, the musical will not follow the film exactly. While the spirit of the original film has been preserved, be prepared for some changes in story and song placement.
Fan favorites from the musical appear in the stage version, along with several new songs by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, who coincidentally also wrote the songs for the film version. The popular tune ‘Once Upon a December’ is solidly featured in the show, further emphasized by its use in the recently released promotional trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjAx__D2eeM
Left out of the stage adaptation is the classic Romanov villain Rasputin and his adorable sidekick Bartok. But fear not, a new antagonist, pro-communist Gleb, played by the incredible Ramin Karimloo, has replaced him. A theatre veteran, Karimloo played Phantom in the 25th Anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. If you have not heard of Karimloo, I invite you to watch the video below and fall in love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va9jOsCXgc4
Karimloo isn’t the only big name part of this show. Stage and screen actress Mary Beth Peil (Dawson’s Creek anyone?) will play the Dowager Empress. The backstage ensemble is just as impressive with Tony award winners Terrence McNally (book), Darko Tresnjak (director) and Linda Cho (costumes), as well as Broadway choreographer Peggy Hickey.
I would have been gutted if they removed the relationship between Anya and Dimitry. Their romantic-comedy style banter and beautifully developed love story are one of my favorite parts of the film. Here's hoping that there is good chemistry between Derek Klena and Christy Altomare.
After a reading and workshop in New York, Anastasia had its first staging in Hartford, Connecticut. The show completed a premiere and ran at Hartford Stage, where it received promising reviews and sold out. Many of the cast members from the Connecticut show will be returning to the stage in New York.
The beautiful, yet mysterious Russia setting paired with the romantic and whimsical Paris are characters unto themselves and as vital to the story as the leads. The musical version will keep both of these settings, focusing Act One in Russia and Act Two in Paris. Photos of the show suggest that it will be a feast for the eyes with costumes and sets just as spectacular as those created in the film.
There is already a fair amount of buzz around the musical’s breakout lead Christy Altomare and the show hasn’t even opened on Broadway yet. Early reviews have been positive as she carries the role from Connecticut to New York. No stranger to the stage, Altomare was part of the first national touring cast of Spring Awakening and made her Broadway debut in 2012 as Sophie Sheridan in Mama Mia.
Anastasia will begin previews March 23, 2017 and open April 24, 2017 at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City
www.anastasiabroadway.com
The actor who gives another actor a note. *BIG SIGH* As much as you want to scream “no, no, no” to them and explain acting etiquette 101, just nod your head and try to ignore them. Let them think you’re daft for not taking their brilliant insight and try to forget it.
It’s show time and they still aren’t off-book. Nothing like a not knowing what’s going to come out of their mouth next to keep you in the moment! This is a scenario where knowing all the lines and the layout of the scene is key so you can recover any blunders or dropped lines.
Everyone has worked with that one actor who’s just a little off. It can be unsettling. It can be brilliant. It can cause you ulcers. Do your best to roll with the punches and chalk it up to experience.
The scene partner who takes the on-stage physical aggression too far. This is never okay. If you ever feel unsafe on-stage speak to your director ASAP.
This actor has a chip on their shoulder and feels the need to argue with everyone including the director. Best to stay out of it and create distance from the arguer. Never provoke the arguer no matter how entertaining.
We’ve all known one. We’ve all been one. Just tell them how pretty they are and hope for the best.
The actor who improvises during a scripted scene when improving is not welcomed. It can be disorienting, it can throw off the timing, it can occasionally, be brilliant. That said, it’s best not to improvise if it’s not what the piece or the director calls for unless it’s out of necessity as in a dropped line. If you’re stuck with the unwelcomed improviser stay on your toes, stay in the moment, and enjoy the ride.
Bad breath, body odor, dirty clothes… you name it. Not much you can do other than offering a breath mint or spritz some Febreze around the stage.
The stage hog is the one who literally pushes you out of your light. Politely speak up and mention that you need to be in your light in order to be seen. The director and the tech department will have your back on this one.
Wastes all your rehearsal time sharing their brilliant insights into the script and their character’s inner thought process instead of running lines. Tell them you never knew how smart they were, then quickly change the topic to the ticking clock and your need to run the scene a few more times.
The darn right mean-spirited kind. This scene partner breeds toxicity while putting you and your other cast mates down. Best to be the bigger person and try to find some common ground. The meanie needs love. If that fails, give yourself some self-love and call it a day.
You have to do a kissing scene and your partner acts like you have cooties. Don’t take it personally, it can be a nerve-racking time and sometimes that makes people act weird. Break the ice with a joke and try to make them feel as comfortable as possible.
The space cadet is off in la la land and drops all their cues. This can be great practice for you on thinking on your feet. Challenge yourself to connect with them more on-stage in order to keep them focused and on planet earth.
This one cancels your rehearsal and reschedules it over and over again. Scream into your pillow then politely explain that your time is valuable too and please stick to a time and date.
Post by Ashleigh Gardner from PerformerStuff.com [post_title] => 10 Female Monologues From Love-Sick Characters [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 10-female-monologues-from-love-sick-characters [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-03 09:55:15 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-03 13:55:15 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5288 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [11] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5263 [post_author] => 395 [post_date] => 2016-11-02 09:54:37 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-02 13:54:37 [post_content] => So, you didn’t get a part in the show you auditioned for. You’re understandably, disappointed, confused, overwhelmed and wondering what on earth you did wrong. There’s no question that you are absolutely justified in feeling upset and even angry when you don’t see your name up on the cast list. Even though it may feel like all your theatre-related hopes and dreams have been crushed for good, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved with the production even if you aren’t actually onstage. In fact, getting involved in the department and becoming a more visible presence can even boost your chances of getting a role the next round of auditions.
Even if you don’t have the slightest clue what the difference is between a phillips screwdriver and slot screwdriver and haven’t yielded a hammer since, well, never, there’s no time like the present! In addition to playing an integral role in creating the set pieces and scenery of the show, you’ll learn invaluable skills that you can carry with you for years to come. Plus, you’ll even get a little bit of time onstage — granted, you’ll be clad head-to-toe in black and be frantically shuffling around set pieces in the dark, but the thrill is still totally worth it.
If the idea of spending a few months casually dangling from a wooden ladder is a bit too much for you, you may feel more comfortable pitching in with the props department. Being involved in props is great if you enjoy a challenge, as you’ll spend a lot of time on an unparallelled treasure hunt for items more random and ridiculous than you ever could have imagined. However, once you’ve collected all your items, be prepared to lose them constantly, as actors have a bad habit of playing around with props that are definitely not theirs.
Okay, so maybe you didn’t get to unleash your inner diva under the warm glow of a spotlight. But that doesn’t mean you can’t show off your fashionista side by creating, collecting and fitting gorgeous costumes for the cast! Half the fun is spending an inordinate amount of time in the costume shed trying stuff on for funsies, and the other half is watching your creations come to life onstage as you nail down the perfect costume.
If you like the idea of being off in your own little world, lights could be the perfect way to get involved with the theatre department. Tucked away in your booth, you get a bird’s-eye view into the action below and are responsible for those moments that take the show from “meh” to “WOW.” Besides, the experience is great for any other event that needs someone who knows how to operate the lights — you’ll be in high demand.
Sure, the title “Director’s Assistant” can make you sound a lot like Anne Hathaway’s character in “The Devil Wears Prada.” You might think you’re dooming yourself to weeks upon weeks of fetching lattes and takeout pizza, but there’s a lot more that goes into this job than just that. Directors have approximately a billion things on their mind at once, and you can play a big role in helping to alleviate some of those challenges and running errands that are vital to the production. Besides, what better way than to get some facetime with the person making next year’s casting decisions than being literally attached to their hip?
If you want to get known by your director without spending months upon months hanging out backstage, working on a front-of-house crew could be the best job for you. Here, you’ll be responsible for ticket sales, prepping food that audience members can purchase at intermission and making programs for the show. Additional responsibilities include dancing in the lobby in a spot where the actors can see you from the stage so they start to crack up — or maybe that’s just what my best friends in high school did. Maybe don’t take my advice on that one.
So maybe your singing voice is a little more “Miranda Sings” than Laura Benanti, but you’ve been rocking out on the trumpet in band for years. Satisfy that urge to perform by auditioning to join the orchestra for the show. You get all the fun of showbiz without the months of rehearsals and still get to show off your talent in a spot where you’ll really shine.
Another option if you don’t make it into the cast is to join the sound crew. You’ll work with any live or recorded music and sound effects and manage the actors’ microphones. It’s a trying task, as everyone will definitely notice when backstage shenanigans are picked up by a rogue mic and projected to the entire audience. You’ll also get to play around with several sources of sound effects, and nothing is more fun than scrolling through a library of sounds to find the one that’s juuuuuust right for your show.
Who run the world? Stage managers. Who run the world? Stage managers. But really, from the second rehearsals start to the second the curtain falls on closing night, the stage manager is an absolutely vital asset to the show running smoothly. If you get a thrill out of organization and thrive off high stakes, you might love sitting just offstage coordinating all the moving pieces of the show through a tiny headset. If you consider yourself a people-person, this could be the job for you, as you’ll have to manage actors, techies, props masters, costumes and front-of-house staff while working closely with the director. Don’t think you’re quite ready to hold the fate of the show in your hands? Offer to be an assistant stage manager to learn the ropes.
Though it’s no secret that it can be tough to watch a show come to life without you actually performing in it, you can still play your own special role behind the scenes. And who knows? Maybe you’ll stumble upon your secret passion along the way.
If you had the privilege of growing up a dancer, you’ve probably heard the cautionary tale of the ballerina who caught on fire during a performance. Details of the tale may have been fudged during the backstage gossip, but regardless, you knew you better not stand too close to the lights in your tutu otherwise you might have ended up like Emma Livry, the ballet prodigy of the romantic era, that is, until her untimely death.
The story begins with Emma waiting in the wings before her second act grand entrance. As she steadied herself for her performance she made the fatal mistake of fluffing her tutu next to a gaslight. Her skirt burst into flames sending Livry into a panic as she ran onto stage screaming and running around frantically in circles all while the audience and other dancers watched on in horror. Eventually, a fireman and another dancer helped to put out the flames but Emma’s burns were extensive. In an effort to be modest, she had clasped the fabric of her corset to her torso causing the corset to melt into her ribs. Additionally, she suffered burns on forty percent of her body including her waist, back, shoulders, thighs, and arms.
Emma spent the next eight months recuperating but ultimately died of sepsis upon the reopening of her wounds. Perhaps the most tragic part of Livry’s death was that it was all too avoidable. A fireproofing method for costumes was available and it was Livry herself who insisted against it due to the yellowness and stiff feel it gave the fabric. As if that weren’t bad enough, Ms. Livry didn’t even learn her lesson. During her recovery she remained opposed to fire-proof skirts: “ Yes, they are, as you say, less dangerous, but should I ever return to the stage, I would never think of wearing them- they are so ugly.”
France’s Greatest Playwright, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known by his stage name, Molière, died in the most dramatic of fashions- while he was on stage performing. Molière had long been suffering from tuberculosis, a condition he was thought to have acquired during a prison stay due to debt. Tuberculosis or not, nothing was going to stop him from pursuing his artistic endeavors.
The tragic night was set during a royal performance before King Louis the 14th. Ironically, the performance was Le Malade imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid, AKA, the Hypochondriac) it was during this performance that Molière began to cough and gasp uncontrollably until he collapsed and began to hemorrhage. The performance stalled but, briefly, and Molière insisted that the show go on. After bravely forging his way through the rest of the play, despite a secondary collapse, he finally made it home. Hours later, Molière passed away. Sadly, he was denied his last rites, which led to a rumor that his soul didn’t make it to heaven, and that his ghost is still lurking about. On the night of his death, Molière’s costume was green; offsetting the superstition that green is an unlucky color to wear on-stage.
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, is the oldest operating theatre in London and is quite possibly the most haunted. Although there are many ghosts that have shown up at Drury Lane, it is the ghost referred to as The Man in Grey that is perhaps the most popular. The Man in Grey is thought to be the ghost of a man who’d been stabbed to death and whose remains were found in 1848 inside a passage of the theatre that had been walled up. The Man in Grey is said to dress like a nobleman of the late 18th century donned with a tricorne hat, dress jacket, cloak, riding boots, and sword. The ghost is said to lurk about between the fourth row and the royal box, which is near the spot in the wall where his remains were found.
You may already know that the Palais Garnier theatre in Paris is the setting for the famous novel and musical, Phantom of the Opera. What you may not know is that the writer, Gastón Leroux was a French journalist whose specialty was investigative journalism on real-life incidents; Leroux’s famous tale, is indeed full of many real-life truths. For instance, the lake of water under the theatre is real, it’s actually more of a water tank, but it’s a body of water under the theatre. Also, the chandelier in the theatre really did fall, not only that, it killed someone. Yikes! Creepier still, is the disfigured contractor that helped build the theatre and who lurked about wearing a mask to hide his unsettling appearance. The man, named Erik (yeah, really!) was born disfigured and abandoned by his family, joined the circus, and eventually became an architect, of sorts. He was even said to walk about wearing dress suits and a cloak. Erik also had his own personal box to watch the performances without being seen. The creepiest part is that he really did fall in love with a singer who performed at the Garnier and he kidnapped her! Luckily, she was found and fled Paris. Erik was so distraught he walled himself up into his apartment under the opera house and ultimately died of starvation. Some time later his suspected remains were found, wearing a gold ring that he was known to wear.
If these stories don’t give you a newfound respect for the spookiness of the theatre than I leave you with this bit of trivia: The ghost light in theatres generally serves a practical use- safety; however, it’s there for superstitious reasons too- to appease the ghosts that are thought to haunt each theatre. The light remains on stage long after the actors go home so that the ghosts may perform thus, preventing them from cursing the theatre. So leave those ghost lights on and have a Happy Halloween!!!
Although several fans have anticipated the movie to be live action, how cool would it be to see a fully or partially animated Wicked film?! One of the great things about animation is that it enhances excitement and emotion that would be impossible to capture in the live-action format. Animation would also bring out more depth to the visual effects, especially in scenes that would require a green screen. With the development of several fan-made storyboards for various scenes, anything seems possible for this film to be animated.
Original Broadway cast of Wicked[/caption]
Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth won the worlds’ hearts as the dynamic duo of Elphaba and Glinda. While the two actresses have left their mark as part of the Original Broadway Cast, Menzel and Chenoweth will be too old to reprise their roles if the film is live action. However, there is always the possibility for them to make cameos, whether as a Munchkin, a Flying Monkey, or as a parent to Elphaba or Glinda.
Aaron Tveit (left) and Kerry Ellis (right) as Fiyero and Elphaba[/caption]
One of the reasons why the Les Miserables movie was successful was because of its casting. The film joined Hollywood figures such as Amanda Seyfried and Anne Hathaway with Broadway stars such as Aaron Tveit and Colm Wilkinson. Doing the same with the Wicked movie will excite Broadway fans as well as those who are not as familiar with the musical. With the vast selection of sopranos and belters in the music industry, the casting choices are plentiful.
LA may be known for its ritzy Hollywood lifestyle, but its theatre scene is just as big and bold. As a city brimming with talent, it’s only fitting there be dozens of performing arts venues. Popular hotspots include Deaf West which utilizes American Sign Language in its unique productions, the Hollywood Fringe Festival which brings a plethora of visitors to witness innovative plays, and the Impro Theatre where audiences help shape improvisation.
What’s happening now? Theatre nerds in LA can catch classics like A View from the Bridge, get into the spooky spirit with The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Hocus Pocus, or check out the hilarious Undateable at Second City.
San Fran’s unique performing arts scene is known for being experimental and ahead of its time. It’s a blend of avant-garde playhouses like the Post Street Theatre, and lavished auditoriums such as the Orpheum. Theatre-goers can catch productions ranging from the latest bestselling tour to a thought-provoking revival of a Shaw play to a world-class opera.
What’s happening now? A Streetcar Named Desire plays the Shelton Theatre, The Makropulos Case graces the War Memorial Opera House, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch tours at the Golden Gate Theatre.
To theatre or not to theatre...that’s hardly Boston’s question. Warmer months in this metropolis brings free performances during Shakespeare on the Common. Numerous venues span across the city and include the extravagant Wang Center for Performing Arts, seating over 3,000; the Oberon, hosting vaudeville cabarets; and the Colonial Theatre which has hosted legends such as the Marx Brothers and Barbra Streisand.
What’s happening now? Shear Madness brings big laughs to the Charles Playhouse, while the One Man Star Wars Trilogy tours to the Capitol Center for the Arts.
This quaint and historical town is nestled amidst gorgeous Massachusetts mountain ranges. Though it may not boast glitzy, glamorous Broadway stages, it does boast a Tony Award-winning theatre festival -- and that’s saying something. The Williamstown Theatre Festival ranks this city highly in terms of epic theatre scenes. It annually brings together top performers, playwrights, designers and directors from across the nation. The festival’s many workshops, programs, and performances also bring in tons of visitors each summer.
What’s happening now? Though the festival is a summer affair, there are various special events year-round. This October, Fun Home’s Michael Cerveris treats audiences to an evening of music. https://wtfestival.org/
The Windy City is jam-packed with classical music, comedy sketches, and grandiose theatre. It’s home to major performing arts centers such as the Goodman Theatre, the Lyric Opera, Steppenwolf, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
What’s happening now? It’s been a star-studded theatrical season in thus far! Patti LuPone recently finished a run of War Paint at the Goodman, and Lin-Manuel Miranda just made a quick pitstop in the city to kick-off the latest production of Hamilton!
Whether you land the lead or are just thrilled to see your name up on that list (Elle Woods, anyone?), there’s no describing that combo feeling of relief and joy that rushes through your veins as you realize your slot in the show has been secured. Pat yourself on the back, you superstar —
You didn’t get in. It hurts. It really hurts. And it’s going to hurt for a while, especially when you have to hear about the show for months on end and then eventually see it hit the stage. It’s OK to be sad and disappointed and angry, so grab some Ben & Jerry’s, distract yourself with other activities and try to remember that, there’s always next year.
Once the initial shock of landing a speaking role wears off, reality sets in: You’re going to have to learn a helluva lot of lines to make it from the beginning to the end of the show. Now is a good time to buy some stock in yellow highlighters — you’re going to need more than a couple!
Being in a show is an incredible, life-changing experience. But as everyone will tell you, it has the tendency to zap your social life into tiny microscopic — if not nonexistent — pieces. Get used to calling your castmates your “Theatre Family,” because they’re the only members you’re going to be seeing for the next two months.
Theatre rivalries are a tale as old as time, and sometimes you can’t settle them over a sing-off of “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.” When it comes down between you and someone else for a role and you don’t get it, it’s fine to feel frustrated, so long as you don’t make your disappointment public. Bring your best to the role you’re given, and you’re sure to stand out anyway!
Unless you miraculously get paired off with your longtime crush and this is the opportunity of a lifetime, chances are, you’re going to have to smooch faces with someone you’re not necessarily jazzed up about. Hopefully, your director won’t make you rehearse over and over again!
So, the part you got was a bit of a stretch from what you were expecting — congrats! However, this is not the kind of role you can easily breeze through without some focus. The moment you walk away from the cast list, you’re ready to crank up your favorite Broadway pump-up playlist, start practicing those lines in the mirror and live and breathe your part. So what if it’s a challenge? It’s your time to shine.
Even if you’ve ended up in the chorus for the third year in a row, that doesn’t mean you aren’t incredibly excited for your friends who snagged leads. Jump around in a group hug, squeal a bit and make a scene as you celebrate the fact you’ll all be able to hang out together after school for weeks upon weeks.
Sometimes you just can’t help yourself. Count ‘em up, compare them to everyone else in the show, and then move on. Whether you’re dominating the solo arena or have a single word to pipe out, it’s cause to celebrate!
Sometimes you just know from the get-go which part you’re going to get. Maybe your director let something slip, or a role just seemed so suited to your personality that there was no way you weren’t getting it. In this case, the big reveal warrants nothing more than a shoulder shrug and an “Oh, that makes sense!”
From the second you find out what part you get, you want to get this show on the road. In fact, you’re the one who leads the march into your director’s office so you can beg and plead to be handed the script before rehearsals even start. Let the memorization begin!
You can get just as excited about wearing a costume as you do about your lines and solos. Whether you’re busting out an iconic costume a la Roxie in “Chicago” or The Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera,” or just get to wear a sparkly over-the-top ridiculous wedding dress, it’s beyond exciting that you’ll get to ditch your typical wardrobe for something out of this world for a while.
After the surprise and glee wears off, self-doubt has a way of settling in. You think that there must have been a mistake, there’s no way you can take on a part like this! However, your director chose you for a reason — because they believe in you — and you are absolutely going to nail this role. That uncertainty will only push you to work harder.
Reading the cast list after it’s posted can be an experience as dramatic as the show you’re performing, whether you get the part of your dreams or get let off the list entirely. Regardless of how the process shakes out, remember to be thankful for the roles you do get and remember that there will other be other shows you can try out for!
A cult classic but worth all of the hype. If you are looking for something less dramatic and more comedic, this is for you. The original film heralds from 1975 and is a tribute to science fiction, horror and the punk-rock scene in Britain. Kenny Ortega (of Newsies and High School Musical fame) has helmed the star-studded remake, set to air on October 20th on Fox. Or if you are looking to catch the original, check out nearby cinemas, as there are frequent showings of the film where viewers are encouraged to come in character. Start brushing up on your Time Warp now!
Watch the film version on Amazon
Alan Menken is the composer behind this musical. Sound familiar? He’s composed the score for many a Disney hit including Aladdin, Newsies, Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Needless to say, the music is great. Little Shop is comedic horror in the same vein as Rocky Horror, about a cannibalistic plant. The film adaptation from 1986 boasts some of Hollywood’s finest comedy actors including Steve Martin, Billy Murray, Ellen Greene and Rick Moranis.
Watch the film version on Amazon
I love to watch this every year in October to get me in Halloween mood. If you haven’t seen Phantom, stop whatever you are doing and watch it right now. The 1986 musical is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s finest pieces of work, based on the dark and romantic novel by Gaston Leroux about a disfigured musician who becomes deeply obsessed with a beautiful opera singer. The movie version is good, however, if you have not seen the 25th-anniversary version at Royal Albert Hall, definitely give that a look. Sierra Boggess is stunning as Christine, but it is Ramin Karimloo who steals the show with his performance as the tortured Phantom.
Watch the film version on Amazon
What more can I say but "They're creepy and they're kookey. Mysterious and spookey. They're altogether together ookey. The Addams Family." This old story of the quirky family has been told in film, book, and finally a Broadway musical in 2009. A popular musical for high school & community theaters to put on during the dark days of fall.
Want to get in the mood? Listen to the soundtrack
It doesn’t get much darker than Sweeney Todd. Originally a play about a sadistic barber who kills his clients and hands them over to be made into meat pies, Sondheim worked his magic, and this musical thriller took flight in 1979. Johnny Depp earned an Oscar nod for his role in the Tim Burton film adaption, which heralds an incredible cast of Hollywood talent including Helena Bonham Carter and the late Alan Rickman.
Watch the film version on Amazon
*Note: 2007 film version also currently available on Netflix (U.S.)
What says Halloween more than a trip to Transylvania. This monstrous (pun intended) Mel Brooks film was adapted into a successful Broadway musical in 2007.
Young Frankenstein tells the story of the grandson of Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen"). With his hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and lab assistant Inga (pronounced normally), he follows the footsteps of his ancestors to bring a treacherous monster to life. When the monster escapes, that's when things get silly.
I mean, what could be better than a monster singing & tap dancing to puttin' on the ritz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1FLZPFI3jc
Based on the famous horror story by Robert Louis Stevenson, this musical tells the tale of a young doctor who takes a potion to transform into an evil sociopath that commits crimes and then returns to his former self. The musical premiered in 1990 and opened on Broadway in 1997. There is a DVD recording of a performance from 2000 starring David Hasselhoff in the title role. If you are looking for something more dramatic, this is a solid choice.
Get film version on Amazon
It’s a common misconception that acting is broken down into comedy and drama, and that actors have “chosen” one side or the other. The truth is that acting is acting is acting. To say that I’m a “comedic” actor implies that I will intentionally play a character “funny,” which isn’t the case. An actor’s job is to live truthfully in a character. Think about your friends. Are they either a “funny person” or a “serious person?” Nope. They’re just people. Sometimes they might make a joke, sometimes they cry. Characters are the same way. Actors don’t approach it from an idea of “being funny” or not.
I always think this is the goofiest compliment (?) to get after a show. Like, if I ever play Hamlet, and the first thing someone says to me after was “Wow! That was a lot of lines!” I’m gonna feel pretty crappy. Memorizing your lines is the BARE MINIMUM thing you have to do. It’s like telling a painter “Hey! GREAT job getting the paint on the canvas!!” and not saying anything about the actual painting.
Or “When will I see you on TV?” Well. Not everyone will be on TV. But that doesn’t mean that they’re not kicking ass and taking names off screen. The theatre industry is HUGE. Just because you haven’t seen someone on TV doesn’t mean that they’re not successful.
How is someone supposed to respond to this one except for the ole' "yep". Acting is a tough industry, but the variety of jobs may surprise some people. Sure, there are movie and big stage bookings. However, many don't consider the gigs that can keep actors paid, such as: extra work, voice overs, educational & instructional videos, etc. Many worthwhile and rewarding industries are tough, acting just seems to be an easy parental target.
Kinda like #1, these two things aren’t mutually exclusive. Actors can be constantly flowing between stage work and film. It’s not necessarily something you have to choose. Plenty of actors do both.
Is this some secret acting test? I’ve cried in a performance like...once in my life. And that was also by far not my best performance. There are soooooo many ways that people express sadness, and crying is just one of those ways. I’m not a big crier in real life, but I’m still experiencing a full range of emotions. Crying is not a requirement in order to “prove” that you’re sad. I went to see Chris Colfer speak in New York, and a member of the audience asked him “how do you cry so well?” His response: “It’s actually like a glandular thing. Like, I squeeze my eyes a certain way and they just tear up.”...Lucky son of a gun.
This sentiment is so bittersweet. It makes me sad that they didn’t feel like they were able to fully explore and pursue something that they’re obviously passionate about. It also makes me so grateful that I have the opportunity.
This classic phrase haunts 99.99999 percent of all actors trying to make it in the industry. We don't have a backup plan because this is a legitimate business (that requires school and experience just like any other profession). Sure, we may be an actor who's currently waitering, but we are not a waiter who's currently acting.
Corny, but by far the best response out there.
Extra work (also known as background work) is a great way to gain experience on film sets while using some of those skills you obtained during your theatre training. You’ll be on set observing how the film crew works with the other actors and the director to create the big picture. Plus, you get access to craft services. And the best part… a paycheck.
Backstage has a ton of extras listings you can browse through
Some ‘reader’ jobs are volunteer based; however, if you get a job as an assistant to a casting director you not only get a legit paycheck, you also get key insights into how a casting office works, which will be very beneficial in the long run, plus, you get to practice those cold reading skills on a daily basis…in front of casting. It’s a major win-win.
There are plenty of teaching opportunities for actors of all different levels. From community service to kid’s summer art camps, to setting up shop in your living room and teaching singing lessons. Whether your strong suit is improv, dancing, singing, or Shakespeare, there are educational opportunities everywhere, and if not, there’s no reason why you can’t create one.
Most actors like to dress up, so why not dress up like a superhero or a princess and dabble in the time-honored tradition of working children’s birthday parties. The money can be good and the hours are pretty fantastic for most actor schedules.
If you’re afflicted with not only the acting bug but the writer bug as well, why not combine your two loves and blog about your theatre passion? Blogs are great ways to express yourself and you may even bring in some dough while you’re at it. We are always looking for great writers here at TN - shoot us a sample of your writing and a couple of article ideas and see what happens. It never hurts to try new things, and sometimes it can lead to awesome new opportunities!
Apply to write for Theatre Nerds here
Will Connolly and George Salazar in "Be More Chill" Photo Credit: Charles Erickson Photography[/caption]
Theatre Nerds - Let’s talk about Tick, Tick...Boom! Super exciting it’s coming back. Also insane that the venue had to change due to high ticket demands. This cast really only consists of you and two other characters. What was the audition process like?
Salazar - The audition process was as lovely as audition processes can possibly go. I got the audition and immediately texted Nick Blaemire. We did Godspell together and we're thick as thieves. I loved the idea of doing Tick, Tick...Boom! and especially loved the idea of doing it with Nick. I had also worked with Ciara Renee and fell in love with her immediately. Nick told me he was going to be at the audition, reading opposite the actors coming in for the role, and I couldn't wait to read opposite him. I knew our chemistry as friends was going to be very helpful. I went in for it and fell instantly in love with Jonathan Silverstein, our director, Joey Chancey, our MD, and Christine O'Grady, our choreographer, who I have known for years but hadn't gotten an opportunity to work with her.
The energy in the room totally fit my vibe and I loved every moment of my fifteen minutes in the room. I sang "Michael in the Bathroom" from Be More Chill, written by Joe Iconis, sang "Real Life" from Tick, Tick...Boom!, and read two scenes opposite Nick. I left the room feeling really good about it. A few hours later, I got the offer from my agent and I screamed and texted Nick. It's been the most incredible experience working on this show with Nick and Ciara and we can't wait to share it with audiences.
[caption id="attachment_5132" align="alignnone" width="970"]
George Salazar, Ciara Renee & Nick Blaemire in Tick Tick...Boom![/caption]
Theatre Nerds - One of my favorite things about this show is it causes us to all ask ourselves, “Is my dream still worth pursuing?” We’ve all gotten to that hard spot in our careers. How do you think this show is relevant today?
Salazar - There are a lot of similarities in the themes of this show and Sunday in the Park with George. Two shows that revolve around the timeless process of creating art and how the creation of art reacts with various aspects of real life. That clash (or harmony, if you're lucky) remains the same as time passes. It's the most relevant thing specific to us as artists and lovers of theater.
The show is also relevant because it's an autobiographical piece about Jonathan Larson. He is very clearly one of the most innovative and earth-changing composers of any generation and influenced so much of what we see and hear today. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Rent and the untimely death of Jonathan Larson, and our production pays such a tribute to this genius and game changer. Jonathan changed the American musical theater, inspiring so many and paving the way for artists like Joe Iconis and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Also, Jon is approaching his 30th birthday and for those of us who are approaching 30 or have passed 30, the stress that number holds is relatable in the most visceral way.
This story showcases the artist's life, specifically this artist's life. People think of Jonathan Larson as the writer of Rent, but he also wrote a musical called Superbia that never grew legs and went anywhere. And Tick, Tick...Boom! was written as a sort of open letter to the industry. You get to know the starving artist: the complicated individual who tries so desperately to balance his art and his personal life, do his work for his art yet pay his bills, the very life that so many of us "theatre nerds" commit ourselves to. Jon never gave up and worked his ass off until the end to make his dreams come true. It's an affirmation of sorts. Believe in yourself, take criticisms as water off a duck's back, trudge on and conquer the world.
In the show, Larson says, “I want to write music. I want to sit down right now at my piano and write a song that people will listen to and remember.” Despite his doubts, he did just that. You can see George Salazar and the rest of the cast of Tick, Tick...Boom! from now until November 20th at the Acorn Theatre. Get Tix Here
Learn more about George at https://www.thegeorgesalazar.com/
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Last fall, the CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” took the TV world by storm and was a particular hit among theatre fans. If you haven’t started this show yet, open another tab, kick Netflix into gear and say goodbye to the next four days of your life — trust me, it will be worth it.
The show follows Rebecca Bunch, an unhappy workaholic lawyer who drops her NYC job like a bad habit and relocates to West Covina, California, after an accidental run-in with her middle-school ex, Josh Chan — a move some might call crazy.
The show navigates her adventures and mishaps as she works to win back Josh’s heart, but what sets this show apart from other ridiculously titled charming romantic comedies is its slew of catchy musical numbers. Rebecca has a tendency to burst into song on the spot about whatever she’s thinking about, and even admits in a later episode that musical theatre is how she understands the world when things get tough.
Though the show has plenty of original tunes, such as “Oh My God, I Think I Like You” and “A Boy Band Made Up of Four Joshes,” many songs draw inspiration from well-loved Broadway favorites. With season 2 only a week away, we thought it would be fun to recap the best theatre-inspired moments from the first season. (Warning: Some spoilers ahead if you haven't watched season 1)
…Because we’re a hard working tech crew and this set won’t build itself.
…Because they were from harsh theatre critics.
…Said every actor who ever refused makeup.
…He’s writing his own version of West Side Story, but instead of casting Puerto Ricans… he’s casting Mexicans.
Every good script gets a revival performance.
Because I work for a non-profit theater and we’re tax exempt.
…Which is okay, because we’re working on a modernized adaptation of Oedipus Rex.
…the half that leaves the theater before curtain call is over.
He’s a method actor getting ready for really challenging role.
It’s the first day off-book and Gary just needed a line call.
…Because they’re working on hitting their cues faster.
As Sherie Rene Scott would say, “The scary thing about theatre—it doesn’t live on… It doesn’t last. Only in people’s memories and their hearts. That’s the beauty and sadness of it. But that’s life—beauty and sadness. And that’s why theatre is life.”
Moving to a new city can be nerve wrecking but it can also be the greatest adventure of your life. For every success, you’ll have a step back (like moving into a building that vibrates.) You will make mistakes- but you’re a performer, role with it like you would on stage when someone drops a line. Prepare yourself the best you can and then do as you would in improve and say, ‘Yes, and….’
You’re about to make your entrance, and suddenly, you can’t find that all-important phone you need to answer during your scene or some other inanimate object that’s essential to you not looking like a total fool in the next 30 seconds. And no, making a fake phone with your fingers is not going to cut it.
There’s nothing quite like that moment when all your backstage hijinks can be heard by the audience and the fourth wall has definitely, definitely been broken.
Whether you have to attend your cousin’s wedding, jury duty or your high school graduation, life happens — and so does rehearsal. You’d sooner miss your own prom than miss rehearsal, so how do you choose?
You’re two days away from opening night and your voice suddenly sounds less like a soaring soprano and more like … well, nothing at all. Yep, it’s okay to freak out.
Actors tend to have special attachments to their makeup boxes and the contents inside, so when they’re messed with, it sparks a fury no one ever thought a missing eye pencil could cause. No words can describe your feelings when you can’t find your cold cream after a show.
It’s a terrifying moment at any audition when someone sings the same 16 bars you’re about to sing. You know it’s bound to happen sometimes, but it’s still a total bummer when it happens to you.
Whether you have to memorize too many lines in a small amount of time or have too few lines than you thought you’d have, line counting always brings out the anxiety in any actor.
A missing wardrobe piece is just as bad as a missing prop — or worse, depending on what it is. Tap dancing with one shoe is pretty bad, but missing your pants might be just a teensy bit worse.
The dreaded cast list posting is sure to cause a fuss one way or another. Whether your director is taking too long to post it or your name isn’t where you thought it would be on the list, you’re gonna need an antacid and a yoga class to get your nerves untangled after it goes up.
Dressing room real estate is a big deal. As much as you love your castmates, you don’t love it so much when their wig head and flat iron end up in your prep area.
You’re onstage, it’s your cue and your mind is totally blank — except for the part that’s freaking out wondering whether it would be better to make a jump for it into the orchestra pit.
No actor likes it when his or her lines are stepped on. You may accept that this happens sometimes, but when it becomes a chronic problem, you tend to go just a little crazy.
It’s cool, you just have to change out of your costume completely and switch your hairstyle and makeup in 20 seconds. No need to freak out; it’s plenty of time. Oh, don’t forget you have to run through the lobby first to enter from the opposite side of the stage. Totally cool.
You’re trying to quiet your mind and center yourself before your big, dramatic entrance, and a fellow thespian won’t stop whisper-talking your ear off. Hey, zip it!
Your choreographer expects you to be the next Baryshnikov in your “Guys and Dolls” number; meanwhile, you’re still trying to master the plié.
Your laugh lines didn’t get any laughs, so you blame the acoustics and then go home to cry into your pillow.
1. Where’s My Prop?!?!
You’re about to make your entrance, and suddenly, you can’t find that all-important phone you need to answer during your scene or some other inanimate object that’s essential to you not looking like a total fool in the next 30 seconds. And no, making a fake phone with your fingers is not going to cut it.
2. Shuuuuushhhhh!
There’s nothing quite like that moment when all your backstage hijinks can be heard by the audience and the fourth wall has definitely, definitely been broken.
3. But, I Have Rehearsal...
Whether you have to attend your cousin’s wedding, jury duty or your high school graduation, life happens — and so does rehearsal. You’d sooner miss your own prom than miss rehearsal, so how do you choose?
4. I Lost My Voice
You’re two days away from opening night and your voice suddenly sounds less like a soaring soprano and more like … well, nothing at all. Yep, it’s okay to freak out.
5. Who Took My Cold Cream?
Actors tend to have special attachments to their makeup boxes and the contents inside, so when they’re messed with, it sparks a fury no one ever thought a missing eye pencil could cause. No words can describe your feelings when you can’t find your cold cream after a show.
6. That’s My Song!
It’s a terrifying moment at any audition when someone sings the same 16 bars you’re about to sing. You know it’s bound to happen sometimes, but it’s still a total bummer when it happens to you.
7. How Many Lines?
Whether you have to memorize too many lines in a small amount of time or have too few lines than you thought you’d have, line counting always brings out the anxiety in any actor.
8. I Can’t Find My Other Tap Shoe!
A missing wardrobe piece is just as bad as a missing prop — or worse, depending on what it is. Tap dancing with one shoe is pretty bad, but missing your pants might be just a teensy bit worse.
9. The Cast List Freakout
The dreaded cast list posting is sure to cause a fuss one way or another. Whether your director is taking too long to post it or your name isn’t where you thought it would be on the list, you’re gonna need an antacid and a yoga class to get your nerves untangled after it goes up.
10. My Makeup Mirror Space, Your Makeup Mirror Space
Dressing room real estate is a big deal. As much as you love your castmates, you don’t love it so much when their wig head and flat iron end up in your prep area.
11. The Dropped Line
You’re onstage, it’s your cue and your mind is totally blank — except for the part that’s freaking out wondering whether it would be better to make a jump for it into the orchestra pit.
12. The Stepped-Upon Line
No actor likes it when his or her lines are stepped on. You may accept that this happens sometimes, but when it becomes a chronic problem, you tend to go just a little crazy.
13. The Near-Impossible Quick Change
It’s cool, you just have to change out of your costume completely and switch your hairstyle and makeup in 20 seconds. No need to freak out; it’s plenty of time. Oh, don’t forget you have to run through the lobby first to enter from the opposite side of the stage. Totally cool.
14. Quiet in the Wings!
You’re trying to quiet your mind and center yourself before your big, dramatic entrance, and a fellow thespian won’t stop whisper-talking your ear off. Hey, zip it!
15. How Many Pirouettes?
Your choreographer expects you to be the next Baryshnikov in your “Guys and Dolls” number; meanwhile, you’re still trying to master the plié.
16. Crickets
Your laugh lines didn’t get any laughs, so you blame the acoustics and then go home to cry into your pillow.
What are some of the top moments that make you and your fellow thespians go totally batty? Let us know in the comments below...
[post_title] => 16 Perfectly Good Reasons Theatre Kids Occasionally Freak Out [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 16-perfectly-good-reasons-theatre-kids-occasionally-freak-out [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2017-07-11 18:18:44 [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-07-11 22:18:44 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5415 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5422 [post_author] => 714 [post_date] => 2016-11-15 10:39:32 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-15 14:39:32 [post_content] => Anyone who has ever been to the Big Apple can tell you firsthand what it was like being in the city for the first time. If you’re a theatre nerd, you might remember the first Broadway show you saw or the exciting feeling you had while walking in Times Square with all the billboards lit up at night. Depending on how much time you have to visit the Great White Way, here are some iconic places and hidden gems any theatre lover cannot afford to miss:1. Sardi’s
Located on West 44th Street in the Theatre District, Sardi’s Restaurant is the ultimate tourist destination for the Broadway enthusiast. Sardi’s is best known for its collection of caricatures from the Broadway scene. This tradition began when Vincent Sardi decided to recreate a restaurant in Paris with caricatures of film celebrities. Instead, he honored Broadway. He hired artist Alex Gard to draw the caricatures, and he continued to draw in exchange for free meals until he died in 1948. Sardi’s is also the famous site of where Brock Pemberton created the idea of the Tony Awards to honor Antoinette Perry.
sardis.com
2. Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Times Square is not just a dining experience — it is also a 1950s-style diner with a singing waitstaff, the Stardusters. You can eat some classic American food while hearing your favorite Broadway showtunes and other popular songs. Open from 7 a.m. to midnight, it’s the perfect place to grab some grub with the family before a matinee or evening show.
ellensstardustdiner.com
3. Shubert Alley
Shubert Alley, which links West 44th and 45th streets, earned its name from successful producers Lee and Jacob J. Schubert, whose offices overlooked the alley. It originally functioned as an exit for the Shubert and Booth theaters, and actors were often seen lining up in the alley for audition calls. Today, Shubert Alley is not only an iconic landmark for show business, but it is the location of many popular Broadway events, such as Stars in the Alley, Broadway Barks and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market and Auction. Shubert Alley is also home to One Shubert Alley, a gift shop exclusively for Broadway lovers and theatre nerds.
4. Joe Allen
Located on West 46th Street, Joe Allen Restaurant is Sardi’s antithesis. Instead of glorifying Broadway’s greatest accomplishments, it celebrates all the flops that have come and gone on the Great White Way. The tradition started when the cast of the show “Kelly” gave the restaurant a poster for their show. When the show closed after one performance, Joe Allen decided he might as well hang it up in the restaurant. While no producer hopes to see their show on the wall in Joe Allen’s, it’s nice to know that even the most unlucky Broadway shows aren’t forgotten.
joeallenrestaurant.com
5. The Drama Book Shop
The Drama Book Shop is hands-down the best resource for theatrical material in NYC. It has a supply of over 8,000 plays and is the working actor’s dreamland. The shop also has a black box theatre in the basement, workshops upstairs and a balcony of musical scores in addition to a plethora of resources for anyone in show business. Find a comfy chair and browse through plays to find your next go-to monologue!
dramabookshop.com
6. 54 Below
If you want to experience the thrill of a Broadway show in a more relaxed setting, look no further than Broadway’s living room, Feinstein’s/54 Below. This nightclub and dining atmosphere hosts up to three shows per night, so there is always something fun to see! A popular hangout for Broadway stars to blow off steam, let loose, and give intimate concerts. If you’re currently a student with a high school or college ID, it offers half-price student rush tickets 30 minutes before the show. Or, if you only want to get a quick, quality meal, pre-show dining starts at 5 p.m. and goes until around 6:30 p.m. If you want to see some of your favorite Broadway stars and enjoy a night of live music, stop by West 54th Street between Broadway and 8th for an elegant night on the town!
54below.com
What is a “must-do” on your NYC bucket list? Let us know in the comments below...
[post_title] => The Theatre Nerds Guide To New York: 6 Places You Must Visit [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => theatre-nerds-guide-to-new-york-6-places-you-must-visit [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-15 10:41:12 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-15 14:41:12 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5422 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4272 [post_author] => 395 [post_date] => 2016-11-14 11:54:47 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-14 15:54:47 [post_content] => You’re at it again. There’s a bag slung over your shoulder and sheet music tucked under your arm. You painstakingly check your reflection in your cell phone, trill your lips up and down the scales and chug water — but not too much, of course. Living the audition life is a feat as easy as landing a bell kick while belting a high-A in six-inch heels. And whether you’re waiting in traffic, waiting for your name to be called or waiting for a callback, you’ll spend a ton of time at the mercy of the American Idol-like panel judging your every move. The next time you’re agonizingly waiting to hear whether you’ve made the cut, pop in your headphones and listen to our Audition Playlist, a collection of songs that feature the best — and worst — of the audition life as you inch your way closer and closer to your big break.1. I Hope I Get It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvHAoFLAiEU This song from “A Chorus Line” is the quintessential audition song, with its crazy fast pacing and daunting number of hopeful dancers trying to make the cut. Listen to this one when you really need this job and are crossing your fingers (and toes) to get it.2. Casting Call for a Best Friend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWUv9jxWVWU We all know that one person who somehow manages to show up at every single audition you’ve found within a 50-mile range. This person looks like you, talks like you, sings like you and dances like you, and it’s really starting to get on your nerves. Crank this one up when you’re in the mood to belt your face off and get out some pent-up aggression about that one person who is always stealing your dream part. Even better, find a friend to sing it with you.3. Climbing Uphill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGLmV7ShnRM This tune from “The Last Five Years” absolutely captures some of the frustrations that come with the audition process. If your audition didn’t go as well as you wanted it to, cheer yourself up by singing Cathy’s self-deprecating inner monologue. Trust me, it will make you feel just a tad better.4. I’m a Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRaGu9S24JU You did it! You nailed your audition, right down to the very last note! Turn up the volume for this jam as you burst your way through the doors and celebrate your budding stardom. Your include it in your pre-audition mix for an extra boost of confidence. You know you’re a star, and now it’s time for the rest of the world to find out too.5. Auditions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egE8W0QMPpI For all you “Romeo and Juliet” lovers out there, this “Bare” tune perfectly captures all the hustle and bustle of a high school audition. Everyone wants a part, there aren’t enough roles to go around and ultimately, the person whose father owns a camcorder is favored when the cast list goes up (as the daughter of a videographer, I am now instantly questioning my own high school theater career — thanks a lot, “Bare”).6. Smash!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1nB7RJaB6s Okay, okay, so just to clarify, I’m definitely not advocating for flirting with a director for a part. However, this “Smash” tune is so catchy and fun to sing that it deserves a spot on our Audition Playlist, even if it’s just for dancing around your room in front of a mirror to pump yourself up.7. Electricity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muBrh7Y5ZL0 “Electricity” from “Billy Elliot” is for when you’ve forgotten how it feels when you’re onstage, your skin glowing from the spotlights and adrenaline coursing through your veins as the audience erupts into thunderous applause. Let’s be honest, no one loves auditioning. The rejection is devastating, it’s impossible to ever fully prepare and 16 bars never feels quite long enough to fully show off. However, through all of the nonsense, it’s good to be reminded once in awhile of the reason why you go through with it, the reason you stay the course even when things get hard: You love it.8. Let Me Be Your Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=argqfANVblg This “Smash” anthem beautifully represents all the hopes attached to every audition you go through. All it takes is one to be your big break, if someone will just give you the chance to let you be their star. Whether you’ve been to more auditions than you can count or are facing your first one ever, this playlist will pump you up and make you feel less alone in your pursuit of theatrical fame.What are your favorite pre-audition jams? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => 8 Songs For Your Pre-Audition Playlist [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 8-songs-for-your-pre-audition-playlist [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-09-05 08:48:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-09-05 12:48:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4272 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5397 [post_author] => 11 [post_date] => 2016-11-12 10:55:34 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-12 14:55:34 [post_content] => Whether you’re singing “one day more” until the weekend or you’re “own your own” during the long commute home, there’s nothing quite like a meme to boost your spirits. Take a peek at this set of fabulous fan-made “Les Misérables” memes, and we promise you’ll feel anything but le miserable.1.
Because, appropriate…
2.
Seriously. Get a life, Javert.
3.
We can’t even argue.
4.
There’s also a bizarre number of “‘Mean Girls”-related “Les Mis” memes.
5.
See?
6.
We told you. “Les Mis” and “Mean Girls” are a match made in heaven.
7.
Really.
8.
There’s so many. (And we love them.)
9.
This one was practically asking to be made.
10.
There are even non-‘Les Mis’ ‘Les Mis’ memes
11.
Including this one with the most miserable of them all, Grumpy Cat!
12.
When you can commiserate with Aladdin...
13.
But... it's pretty much true!
14.
Javert, master of disguise.
15.
Touche.
16.
Reasonable.
17.
Les Miserable photoshop skills.
18.
“...and memes were made and used and wasted…”
And that's a wrap folks!
You May Like: Think Of Meme Fondly: 18 Memes All Phans Will Definitely Appreciate
Which ‘Les Mis’ meme is your favorite? Leave us a comment below!
[post_title] => 18 ‘Les Mis’ Memes That Have Officially Gone Too Far [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 18-les-mis-memes-that-have-officially-gone-too-far [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://theatrenerds.com/think-meme-fondly-18-memes-phans-will-definitely-appreciate/ [post_modified] => 2019-03-11 10:48:17 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-03-11 14:48:17 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5397 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5394 [post_author] => 717 [post_date] => 2016-11-11 11:32:41 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-11 15:32:41 [post_content] => Subtitled “The Adventures of a Girl Who Wanted to Be Loved,” “Sweet Charity” follows the misadventures of the aptly named Charity Hope Valentine, a taxi dancer looking for love in all the wrong places in 1960s New York City. Directed and choreographed by the one-and-only Bob Fosse and starring his equally talented wife and muse, Gwen Verdon, “Sweet Charity” opened at the Palace Theatre on Jan. 29, 1966. A modest hit, it played 608 performances and closed on July 15, 1967. A movie version was released in 1969, and Broadway revivals occurred in 1986 and 2005. The show has now returned to New York — this time off-Broadway — in a pared-down version presented by The New Group and starring beloved triple threat Sutton Foster. To celebrate the new revival’s opening night on Nov. 13, here are 10 things you might not know about “Sweet Charity”:1. It’s Based on a Film
“Sweet Charity” is based on “Nights of Cabiria,” a 1957 Academy Award-winning film directed by famed Italian director Federico Fellini. Besides the obvious major change of resetting the story from Rome to New York, the biggest change is Cabiria/Charity’s occupation — Cabiria is a “hooker with a heart of gold.” This had to be softened for American musical audiences in 1966, so Charity works instead as a taxi dancer at the Fandango Ballroom. *Sidebar question: What the heck is a taxi dancer? In the early 20th century, men could go to dance halls and pay to dance with the woman of their choice, usually for 10 cents a song (thus the famous Rodgers & Hart song “Ten Cents a Dance.”) However, by the 1960s, taxi dance halls were not nearly as common. It’s suggested, at least in “Sweet Charity,” that most of the women who were still taxi dancers were willing to do more than just dance, if the price is right.2. It Was Originally Going to Be Only One Act
It was initially reported in 1964 that Fosse and Verdon were working on a new show consisting of two one-acts. Besides the Fellini adaptation, the other one-act was to be an original straight play written by Elaine May. Verdon was to play a cat burglar who robbed apartments by wearing suction cups on her hands and feet and climbing straight up building walls.3. The Book Spurred Potential Legal Drama
While Fosse wanted to be involved in the book writing, he knew he needed a collaborator and turned to Martin Charnin. The two turned out a 60-page first draft for their one-act musical. Then, according to Charnin, he never heard from Fosse again. On advice from his lawyer, Charnin attended opening night of “Sweet Charity” with a stenographer, who wrote down every word of the show as it was being said so Charnin could compare the finished script with the original first draft. However, he eventually decided against any legal action.4. Bob Fosse Begged Neil Simon to Write the Book
Once it was decided to develop “Sweet Charity” into a full show, Fosse wrote a draft of the new script by himself. Knowing he needed help, he begged his friend, author Neil Simon, to help him and sent him the script. Simon made a few notes but said he wasn’t able to help him any more than that because he was in Rome to film his screenplay “After the Fox” and was writing the screenplay for “Barefoot in the Park” at the same time. However, after reading Simon’s notes, Fosse wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. He immediately flew out to Rome to try to convince Simon and his wife. As Fosse began to explain the show in detail, he played a recording of one of the songs for the new show called “Big Spender.” Simon and his wife were hooked, and Simon agreed to write the book.5. Early Drafts List the Book Author as ‘Bert Lewis’
If you happen to look at an early piece of sheet music for “Sweet Charity,” you might be surprised to find the book’s author is listed as Bert Lewis. Who is Bert Lewis? Well, because Simon came aboard so late (rehearsals began only a few weeks after Simon agreed to write the book), early sheet music had to be printed with Fosse still listed as the book writer, under the pen name “Bert Lewis.” This was a play on his full name, Robert Louis Fosse.6. Sweet Charity’ Opened at The Palace, and Vice-Versa
The Palace Theatre on Broadway and 47th Street, right in the middle of Times Square, is a legendary theatre. It was the be-all and end-all for the vaudeville circuit. There was no greater honor than getting to “play the Palace.” The likes of Charlie Chaplin, Fanny Brice, the Marx Brothers, Weber and Fields and so many others graced the stage of the Palace. Over the years, however, vaudeville started to die out and the theatre began showing movies. In the face of poor upkeep and waning interest, the theatre was purchased by the Nederlanders, who renovated it and reopened it as Broadway’s newest legitimate theatre with the opening of “Sweet Charity.”7. Gwen Verdon Got a Frog — Er, a Boa — in Her Throat
During the show’s pre-Broadway engagement in Philadelphia, Verdon began to complain of a sore throat. As she continued to perform, the pain got worse and she started having trouble breathing. She was convinced something was stuck in her throat. As it turned out, she was right. Verdon had inhaled a feather from a prop feather boa, and it was wrapped around the star’s vocal chords. Verdon continued to perform until no sound would come out of her mouth and the pain was unbearable. She took a week off the show to get it surgically removed.8. Verdon Paid for an Ill-Timed Singing Break
Late in the Broadway run, Verdon started to get tired. So, to give herself a break if need be, she would sometimes cut the Act 2 ballad, “Where Am I Going?” which she’d never liked singing in the first place. At one performance, a gentleman noticed the song had suddenly been cut and expressed his unhappiness by writing a letter to Verdon complaining about the missing song. He claimed he spent hard-earned money to see her perform and felt cheated. Verdon decided to find out how much time the song took to perform and factored that against the price of a ticket. She sent the man a check for the prorated amount he’d lost.9. Tragedy Struck the 1986 Revival
The 1986 revival of “Sweet Charity” had won four Tony Awards, including Best Revival. The national tour of the revival was set to launch in Washington, D.C. and star Donna McKechnie as Charity. After the final rehearsal, Fosse and Verdon decided to walk back to their hotel to change for opening night. Tragedy struck when Fosse suffered a heart attack. He died soon afterward at George Washington University Hospital with Verdon by his side.10. There Were Seven Charitys For One Revival
The latest Broadway revival of “Sweet Charity” opened on May 4, 2005 and starred Christina Applegate as Charity. However, before then, a slew of actresses had been named to be the titular dance hall hostess with the mostest. In early 2000, it was rumored that Paula Abdul would star in a revival and choreograph it. Later, when the Weisslers got involved, it was announced that Jenna Elfman of “Dharma & Greg” fame would star, with the production aiming for spring 2003. However, Elfman backed out and it was announced that Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei would make her Broadway musical debut in the lead role. Sadly, the workshops had not been going well, and Tomei was told she would not continue with the production. The producers announced that workshops would continue, now with Jane Krakowski, who was hot off her Tony win for the 2003 revival of “Nine.” Things hit another roadblock when Krakowski wanted rewrites and a more modern approach to Charity’s characterization. She also majorly clashed with Simon. After another search, Applegate was announced and the dates were set. But things are never so easy. The star broke a bone in her foot while performing in the pre-Broadway tryout in Chicago. Her standby was the well-loved Charlotte d’Amboise, and it was announced she would open the show in the next tryout city, Boston, while the producers decided how to proceed. It seemed like a 1930s backstage movie in which the understudy was about to get her big break. But, as this was real life, the producers decided to close the show out of town instead. Injured star Applegate would not hear of it. She vowed to recover in time for opening night on Broadway and, having convinced the Weisslers to proceed, she delivered. Late in the Broadway run, a wild rumor spread through the theatre world that Applegate would be leaving and would be replaced by pop icon Britney Spears. It seemed like that might actually happen when Playbill reported Spears was in negotiations to join the cast and move the show to the bigger Hilton (now Lyric) Theatre. Talks fell through, of course, and the revival closed on Dec. 31, 2005. The latest revival of “Sweet Charity” will play through Jan. 8th at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Who knows how many fun facts will come out of this production! [post_title] => 10 Things You Might Not Know About ‘Sweet Charity’ [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 10-things-you-might-not-know-about-sweet-charity [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-11 11:33:41 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-11 15:33:41 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5394 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [5] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5412 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2016-11-10 11:26:51 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-10 15:26:51 [post_content] => By guest contributor Teresa McGriffAsk not what your director can do for you — ask what you can do for your directorI know we’d all like to think that the director has a rather cushy position in a production. I mean, they don’t make anything, they don’t perform and they don’t run the show — all they really do is show up and tell everyone else to do. Right? They have all the power. By now, all the directors reading this are like:
Well, consider this: For a person with so much power, directors have surprisingly little control. It’s this fact that will ultimately drive any director a little crazy.
You see, a good director approaches each project with a vision and master plan. In their minds, they create an ideal idea upon which the entire show is based.
Directors surround themselves with helpers to create this vision. The designers take the idea and make it a reality, the stage manager keeps everyone on time, on task and on spot, the actors bring it to life and the crew puts in the hard labor to make it all happen.
Directors work with all of them and do their best to get what is in their head out onto the stage. And, they are on the lookout for people who will do the same. But, it’s a competitive world out there. What can you do to prove you’re the best person for the job? How are you going to stand out?
The following are five things you can do to impress your director and help bring their vision of the show to life:
1. Focus, Pay Attention and Listen Up!
This one is kind of obvious, but there’s a reason why it’s No. 1: It’s what all directors want more than anything else in the world, and yet it seems to be the hardest for people to abide by. A director’s job is to communicate their vision, and they do this by talking a bit. Okay, a lot. We mean a lot. We’ve all been stuck in a post-rehearsal notes session a little before midnight, listening to our director give a full page of notes for every single scene in the play. Inside, we’re all just praying for them to shut up.
However, a good director will never give up on that vision and will therefore talk until they die if that means they’ll be able to get you to heed what they say. You might as well make peace with it and stop talking during notes. Who knows? It may even mean you get out of rehearsal at a (relatively) reasonable hour.
2. Do Your Part
Your director depends on you to do a lot of things, such as be on time, learn your lines and remember your blocking. However, there are many lesser-known things your director needs from you that you may not have thought of. First of all, read the play. Not just your scenes, not just your part — the whole thing. The readthrough should not be the first time everyone reads the play. I’m not saying you need to have all your lines memorized, but you should come to that first get-together with a general knowledge of the show and your part. Next, come with ideas of your own. Whether you’re an actor or a techie, it’s important for you to be passionate about working on the show, and that can only happen when you’re invested in it. In the end, it’s obviously the director’s show and sometimes they have to say “no” to keep the production consistent with their vision, but most of the time, they want to give you the freedom to make suggestions. Believe it or not, a director’s favorite word is not “No.” Last, do your research. Look up the things you don’t understand. Get yourself acquainted with the play, the world it depicts, the history of it and your role in it. Don’t be caught being the one person in the group who is constantly saying, “I don’t know.”3. Get Personal
Personal space just doesn’t work in theatre. We’re not just talking about physical space, which you can expect will be intruded upon immediately upon meeting the costume crew and their endless supply of measuring tape. We’re also talking about intellectual and emotional space.
There should be a disclaimer on every audition sheet that reads, “This show contains emotions and, if cast, you will be expected to connect. Can you do this? Check yes or no.”
Good theatre is visceral. It’s intimate. It’s personal. You cannot have a great show if you aren’t committed to that. You have to let your guard down and let people in. You have to share your feelings and connect with the material and the other people you are working with. As a natural introvert, I can totally understand how hard it can be to tear down those inner walls. But once you do, you’ll find a power within yourself that you never knew you had. You will get rave reviews, the admiration of your peers and the deepest respect of your director.
4. It’s All About the Sound
Directors are quite obsessed with sound — mostly your sounds. However, it all comes down to this simplest of directions: Be quiet backstage and be loud onstage.
So, when you’re offstage, you need to learn to do a special backstage tiptoe walk. Heels and tap shoes should stay off your feet until just before your cue to enter. You have to learn to communicate by reading lips and gesticulating wildly. It’s the quietest — and most intense — game of charades you’ll ever play in your life. If you feel a sneeze or cough coming on, run like the dickens (quietly, of course) to the dressing room to let it out.
Onstage is entirely different. When you’re onstage, the director never seems to hear you, unless you don’t want them to. It’s something about the acoustics.
According to a great professor I once had, the following are the three rules of elocution:
- Enunciate
- Work on your diction
- Honor the ends of your lines
5. Play
I know this seems like a strange one, especially because so many people think this is all we do in theatre anyways. However, so often in the process of the show, we get so focused on getting things done that we forget to play. And playing is very important, as it is both a tool and a way to learn. So, do it. Put yourself out there. Try new things. You never know when your director will leap out of their seat and yell, “I love it! Keep it!”
Directors, don’t forget to encourage this, too. It promotes participation and trust, keeps everyone on their toes and ensures people are invested. Most importantly, it makes rehearsals more relaxed and fun, which is why everyone participates in this in the first place.
By keeping these five things in mind, you can make your director love you — and you want your director to love you. Most directors tend to be very loyal and like working with people they know and trust. Essentially, theatre is a big gamble. No one wants to fail, so directors make safe bets by getting the best people on board. Once you’ve proven to a director that you are a tried-and-true talent, you can make your own bets that you will be one of the first people they turn to.
Are you a director? What other things can actors do to impress? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => 5 Things You Can Do To Impress Your Director [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 5-things-you-can-do-to-impress-your-director [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-10 11:26:51 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-10 15:26:51 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5412 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw ) [6] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5320 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2016-11-08 10:11:58 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-08 14:11:58 [post_content] => Contributed by Carmel Suchard1. It’s totally fine to inform me if there’s a problem with your costume.
I’m here to help you tell the story of the show as best as you can. That can’t happen if your shoes are too small, your pants too big, or if you keep tripping on your skirt’s hem. I’m happy to resolve any issues, but you have to communicate with me.
2. At the same time, don’t be a diva.
Your costume might not fit your personal style, but it does fit the overall look of the show. Despite what you might think, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the way you’ll look on stage. So if you’re playing a poor farmer, please don’t come to me complaining that you don’t look “cute” enough. Also, I don’t have control over everything. Many details come from the director’s concept, so if you have an issue you’ll have to take it up with him or her.
3. I don’t care what your body looks like.
You were cast in this play because the director thought that you were the best actor for the job. Period. Besides, I’ve seen it all. So there is no need to be embarrassed about your weight, height, stretch marks, acne, etc.
4. Your underclothes really do matter.
If I ask you to wear a certain kind of underwear/bra/dance belt it’s because your costume won’t look right if you don’t. If I ask you to bring said underwear/bra/dance belt to a fitting, please do. I need to know exactly how you’re going to look on stage. Same goes for shoes.
5. It’s worth your time to be nice to me.
First of all, I’m an industry professional. The same industry that you’re trying to break into. I know a lot of other costume designers, actors, and directors, and if you’re rude your name will come up. And you really can’t afford to burn bridges. Secondly, I have the power to make you look bad on stage. So be nice.
6. You need to know that costumes take a really long time to make.
I had to buy a pattern, choose fabrics, cut out the pattern pieces, sew them together, alter them to your body … you see where this is going. The process takes a lot of time and effort. Even if I bought or reused old costumes, choosing them took many, many hours. So please treat them with respect. Every time an actor throws a costume on the floor, eats in costume, or gets makeup on a costume, a designer’s soul dies a little bit.
Are you a costume designer? What else would you like actors to know? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => 6 Things Your Costume Designer Wants You To Know [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 6-things-your-costume-designer-wants-you-to-know [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-08 10:34:57 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-08 14:34:57 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5320 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 16 [filter] => raw ) [7] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5283 [post_author] => 440 [post_date] => 2016-11-07 10:20:40 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-07 14:20:40 [post_content] => What do you get when you take a gutsy Julie Andrews style heroine reminiscent of Fraulein Maria, with a knack for verbal sparring and a deep desire for true belonging, accompanied by a rugged drifter, capable of setting young girls’ and boys’ hearts a flutter for the first time since Aladdin flew onto their screens with his boyish charm and dreamy 90’s hair? Add in an adorable bat and catchy songs, and what you have my friends is an animate winner with the ability to rival any of your mid-90s to early aughts Disney classics. 20th Century Fox’s musical love story Anastasia has long been a fan favorite in the animated musical category. Well, get ready to fall in love all over again. Anastasia is set to make its Broadway debut this spring and the theatre world is already buzzing.Here is what you can look forward to from the stage version of Anastasia:
Inspiration From the Film
The musical is based on the 1997 animated film voiced by Hollywood stars like Meg Ryan, John Cusack, and Kelsey Grammer. However, unlike the stage adaptations of other animated favorites like Beauty and the Beast, the musical will not follow the film exactly. While the spirit of the original film has been preserved, be prepared for some changes in story and song placement.
Old Favorites and New Songs
Fan favorites from the musical appear in the stage version, along with several new songs by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, who coincidentally also wrote the songs for the film version. The popular tune ‘Once Upon a December’ is solidly featured in the show, further emphasized by its use in the recently released promotional trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjAx__D2eeM
Bye, Bye Rasputin
Left out of the stage adaptation is the classic Romanov villain Rasputin and his adorable sidekick Bartok. But fear not, a new antagonist, pro-communist Gleb, played by the incredible Ramin Karimloo, has replaced him. A theatre veteran, Karimloo played Phantom in the 25th Anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. If you have not heard of Karimloo, I invite you to watch the video below and fall in love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va9jOsCXgc4
Assembled with Experience
Karimloo isn’t the only big name part of this show. Stage and screen actress Mary Beth Peil (Dawson’s Creek anyone?) will play the Dowager Empress. The backstage ensemble is just as impressive with Tony award winners Terrence McNally (book), Darko Tresnjak (director) and Linda Cho (costumes), as well as Broadway choreographer Peggy Hickey.
The Romance is Intact
I would have been gutted if they removed the relationship between Anya and Dimitry. Their romantic-comedy style banter and beautifully developed love story are one of my favorite parts of the film. Here's hoping that there is good chemistry between Derek Klena and Christy Altomare.
Broadway Was Not the First Stop
After a reading and workshop in New York, Anastasia had its first staging in Hartford, Connecticut. The show completed a premiere and ran at Hartford Stage, where it received promising reviews and sold out. Many of the cast members from the Connecticut show will be returning to the stage in New York.
To Russia, With Love
The beautiful, yet mysterious Russia setting paired with the romantic and whimsical Paris are characters unto themselves and as vital to the story as the leads. The musical version will keep both of these settings, focusing Act One in Russia and Act Two in Paris. Photos of the show suggest that it will be a feast for the eyes with costumes and sets just as spectacular as those created in the film.
A Star is Born
There is already a fair amount of buzz around the musical’s breakout lead Christy Altomare and the show hasn’t even opened on Broadway yet. Early reviews have been positive as she carries the role from Connecticut to New York. No stranger to the stage, Altomare was part of the first national touring cast of Spring Awakening and made her Broadway debut in 2012 as Sophie Sheridan in Mama Mia.
Anastasia will begin previews March 23, 2017 and open April 24, 2017 at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City
www.anastasiabroadway.com
Excited? What are you hoping to see in movie-inspired musical? Let us know in the comments below…
[post_title] => Anastasia Is Coming to Broadway: Here’s What To Expect [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => anastasia-is-coming-to-broadway-heres-what-to-expect [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-07 18:38:46 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-07 22:38:46 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5283 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 4 [filter] => raw ) [8] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4834 [post_author] => 12 [post_date] => 2016-11-06 11:42:27 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-06 15:42:27 [post_content] => The scene partner lottery can seem like a real let down sometimes. Try thinking of it as a challenge, after all, the greatest actors can work with anyone and still astound audiences with their brilliance. But, just in case you still feel like whining about it, here are some worst scene partner types you can commiserate with as well as some tips on how to deal.1. The Note Giver
The actor who gives another actor a note. *BIG SIGH* As much as you want to scream “no, no, no” to them and explain acting etiquette 101, just nod your head and try to ignore them. Let them think you’re daft for not taking their brilliant insight and try to forget it.
2. The Un-memorized
It’s show time and they still aren’t off-book. Nothing like a not knowing what’s going to come out of their mouth next to keep you in the moment! This is a scenario where knowing all the lines and the layout of the scene is key so you can recover any blunders or dropped lines.
3. On Drugs or Possibly Crazy
Everyone has worked with that one actor who’s just a little off. It can be unsettling. It can be brilliant. It can cause you ulcers. Do your best to roll with the punches and chalk it up to experience.
4. The Combatant
The scene partner who takes the on-stage physical aggression too far. This is never okay. If you ever feel unsafe on-stage speak to your director ASAP.
5. The Arguer
This actor has a chip on their shoulder and feels the need to argue with everyone including the director. Best to stay out of it and create distance from the arguer. Never provoke the arguer no matter how entertaining.
6. Diva
We’ve all known one. We’ve all been one. Just tell them how pretty they are and hope for the best.
7. The Unwelcomed Improviser
The actor who improvises during a scripted scene when improving is not welcomed. It can be disorienting, it can throw off the timing, it can occasionally, be brilliant. That said, it’s best not to improvise if it’s not what the piece or the director calls for unless it’s out of necessity as in a dropped line. If you’re stuck with the unwelcomed improviser stay on your toes, stay in the moment, and enjoy the ride.
8. The Stinky One
Bad breath, body odor, dirty clothes… you name it. Not much you can do other than offering a breath mint or spritz some Febreze around the stage.
9. Stage Hog
The stage hog is the one who literally pushes you out of your light. Politely speak up and mention that you need to be in your light in order to be seen. The director and the tech department will have your back on this one.
10. The Intellectual
Wastes all your rehearsal time sharing their brilliant insights into the script and their character’s inner thought process instead of running lines. Tell them you never knew how smart they were, then quickly change the topic to the ticking clock and your need to run the scene a few more times.
11. Meanie
The darn right mean-spirited kind. This scene partner breeds toxicity while putting you and your other cast mates down. Best to be the bigger person and try to find some common ground. The meanie needs love. If that fails, give yourself some self-love and call it a day.
12. Cootie Concerned
You have to do a kissing scene and your partner acts like you have cooties. Don’t take it personally, it can be a nerve-racking time and sometimes that makes people act weird. Break the ice with a joke and try to make them feel as comfortable as possible.
13. Space Cadet
The space cadet is off in la la land and drops all their cues. This can be great practice for you on thinking on your feet. Challenge yourself to connect with them more on-stage in order to keep them focused and on planet earth.
14. The Flake
This one cancels your rehearsal and reschedules it over and over again. Scream into your pillow then politely explain that your time is valuable too and please stick to a time and date.
Have a story about a crazy/smelly/bossy scene partner? Tell us in the comments below...
[post_title] => 14 Worst Scene Partners And How To Deal [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 14-worst-scene-partners-and-how-to-deal [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-06 14:15:30 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-06 18:15:30 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4834 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [9] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5299 [post_author] => 11 [post_date] => 2016-11-05 09:20:42 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-05 13:20:42 [post_content] => [viralQuiz id=20]You May Like: Quiz: Which Showtune Should You Sing With Your BFF?
[post_title] => Quiz: Which Dynamic Broadway Duo Are You And Your BFF? [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => which-broadway-duo-are-you-and-your-bff [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-10-27 11:27:35 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-10-27 15:27:35 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5299 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [10] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5288 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2016-11-03 09:44:07 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-03 13:44:07 [post_content] => Competition and audition season is quickly approaching! Have you found your monologue yet? If not, we have you covered. Below are 10 monologues (5 dramatic and 5 comedic) from love-sick female characters who have a bone to pick with love.A monologue from Your Swash is Unbuckled by Jeff Goode
(Comedic - Teens, 20s) This piece is from the shorter play, “Lewd Loves of a Lusty Laundress” within Your Swash is Unbuckled. Molly, a young laundress with two “manly” stepsisters and a “manly” stepmother, is repeatedly berated and teased by her step-family. She dreams of being whisked away by a handsome, strong, and/or wealthy man riding any kind of horse and going to any location other than where she currently is. In this scene, her step-sisters and step-mother have dropped more laundry on her and are forbidding her from going to the fair. The women leave, and as Molly goes through the laundry, she finds various shirts belonging to high-ranking individuals and fantasizes about who they belong to. Get the monologue here.A monologue from What the Well Dressed Girl is Wearing by Arthur M. Jolly
(Comedic - Teens) Teenaged Sandra has been helping her best friend choose an outfit for her date...with Jimmy, the guy Sandra yearns for. After Sandra’s friend asks her if she is mad about Jimmy, Sandra becomes upset, mildly at first. Sandra then begins to recount how she felt on several different occasions when her feelings for Jimmy weren’t returned...especially when she saw her friend and Jimmy dancing together at the spring formal… Get the monologue here.A monologue from Stay by David-Matthew Barnes
(Comedic - High School, 20s) Rindy, a young aspiring hairstylist who lives in a small Southern town, confides in her best friend Alison that she spent the night with her boyfriend, unbeknownst to her unstable mother. Rindy is terrified that her mother will find out about last night’s romantic rendezvous, and she can’t wait until he gets off work at 4 o’clock. Rindy is extroverted, unfiltered, and Southern. (*This monologue contains adult language and talk of sex.) Get the monologue here.The Reason I’m Single by Tara Meddaugh
(Comedic - High School, 20s) Kelly has been pressuring Rebecca to fess up: why doesn’t Rebecca have a boyfriend? Rebecca explains that, even though boys are always attracted to her and asking her out, she won’t accept any of their offers. The reason she doesn't have a boyfriend is because she loves Kelly. (*This monologue is a standalone piece and contains talk of sex.) Get the monologue here.Swap by Barbara Lhota
(Comedic - 20s) Kate and Nina’s apartment. Nina and Kate are roommates and good friends. Recently, Kate has begun dating Nina’s former boyfriend, Josh. Nina explains to Kate why she broke up with Josh in the first place...and now why she wants him back. (*This monologue is a standalone piece.) Get the monologue here.A monologue from The Princess of Caspia by Ricardo Soltero
(Dramatic - 20s, 30s - 40s, 50s - Older) Simon and Taylor are married, and Simon is having an affair with Rhonda. Taylor, trying to get the attention of her husband, has just broken Simon’s prized Dudamel baton in half. He tells her to pick up the baton off the floor where she left it. She refuses, and he keeps demanding that she act according to his orders. When she says, “Or else what?” he doesn’t respond. Here, Taylor responds and tells Simon that she is the only one who will fight for him like this. She loves him, but not the person who he is right now. Get the monologue here.A monologue from [Catherine (The Great] Dictionary Girl) by Alex Kump
(Dramatic - High School, 20s) Catherine talks about being in love with Patrick Yorland, the boy who rides her bus. She defends her love, which she knows probably comes off as childish, by describing what it’s like to love someone and want to take care of them. She is almost giddy in her affections, and her feelings consume her. Get the monologue here.A monologue from Pendragon County Ghosts by Don Nigro
(Dramatic - Teens, 20s) Jimmy is in love with Jessie, and has been trying to win her hand throughout his adolescence and early adulthood. In this monologue, she is trying to convince Jimmy that he should leave her; it is selfish for her to keep him so near when she knows in her heart of hearts that they will never be anything more than friends. She is attempting to push him away to protect his own feelings, yet does not want him to leave her side for her self-centered reasons. Get the monologue here.A monologue from House of Angels by Jennie S. Redling
(Dramatic - Teens, 20s) New York, 1914. Autumn appears to suffer from what has yet to be classified as an illness - manic depression. She is on the verge of a manic episode right before a tea party planned for her sister Helen’s fiancé, whom she secretly loves. Autumn inherited her illness from her father who killed himself, and with whom she felt a natural kinship she cannot share with her mother, Amelia, and her sister. When Autumn comes upon them discussing Amelia’s social ambitions, Helen lies and says they were just saying how sad that their father wouldn’t be present at Helen’s wedding. Autumn begins on a dreamy tirade and speaks of how their father would have presented Helen like Aphrodite to her new husband. Her speech is somewhat malicious. Get the monologue here.A Monologue from John Singer Sargent and Madame X by Rosary O’Neill
(Dramatic - 20s) Paris, 1882. Amelie, a beautiful model living in Paris, seduces John Singer Sargent to get married in New Orleans. She describes in vivid detail the journey she dreams of having with him, including the trip by boat to America, their arrival (to thunderous applause) in New Orleans, and their evenings spent whispering low to each other in the summer months. Get the monologue here.Post by Ashleigh Gardner from PerformerStuff.com [post_title] => 10 Female Monologues From Love-Sick Characters [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 10-female-monologues-from-love-sick-characters [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-03 09:55:15 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-03 13:55:15 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5288 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [11] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5263 [post_author] => 395 [post_date] => 2016-11-02 09:54:37 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-02 13:54:37 [post_content] => So, you didn’t get a part in the show you auditioned for. You’re understandably, disappointed, confused, overwhelmed and wondering what on earth you did wrong. There’s no question that you are absolutely justified in feeling upset and even angry when you don’t see your name up on the cast list. Even though it may feel like all your theatre-related hopes and dreams have been crushed for good, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved with the production even if you aren’t actually onstage. In fact, getting involved in the department and becoming a more visible presence can even boost your chances of getting a role the next round of auditions.
Tech
Even if you don’t have the slightest clue what the difference is between a phillips screwdriver and slot screwdriver and haven’t yielded a hammer since, well, never, there’s no time like the present! In addition to playing an integral role in creating the set pieces and scenery of the show, you’ll learn invaluable skills that you can carry with you for years to come. Plus, you’ll even get a little bit of time onstage — granted, you’ll be clad head-to-toe in black and be frantically shuffling around set pieces in the dark, but the thrill is still totally worth it.
Props
If the idea of spending a few months casually dangling from a wooden ladder is a bit too much for you, you may feel more comfortable pitching in with the props department. Being involved in props is great if you enjoy a challenge, as you’ll spend a lot of time on an unparallelled treasure hunt for items more random and ridiculous than you ever could have imagined. However, once you’ve collected all your items, be prepared to lose them constantly, as actors have a bad habit of playing around with props that are definitely not theirs.
Costumes
Okay, so maybe you didn’t get to unleash your inner diva under the warm glow of a spotlight. But that doesn’t mean you can’t show off your fashionista side by creating, collecting and fitting gorgeous costumes for the cast! Half the fun is spending an inordinate amount of time in the costume shed trying stuff on for funsies, and the other half is watching your creations come to life onstage as you nail down the perfect costume.
Lights
If you like the idea of being off in your own little world, lights could be the perfect way to get involved with the theatre department. Tucked away in your booth, you get a bird’s-eye view into the action below and are responsible for those moments that take the show from “meh” to “WOW.” Besides, the experience is great for any other event that needs someone who knows how to operate the lights — you’ll be in high demand.
Director’s Assistant
Sure, the title “Director’s Assistant” can make you sound a lot like Anne Hathaway’s character in “The Devil Wears Prada.” You might think you’re dooming yourself to weeks upon weeks of fetching lattes and takeout pizza, but there’s a lot more that goes into this job than just that. Directors have approximately a billion things on their mind at once, and you can play a big role in helping to alleviate some of those challenges and running errands that are vital to the production. Besides, what better way than to get some facetime with the person making next year’s casting decisions than being literally attached to their hip?
Front of House
If you want to get known by your director without spending months upon months hanging out backstage, working on a front-of-house crew could be the best job for you. Here, you’ll be responsible for ticket sales, prepping food that audience members can purchase at intermission and making programs for the show. Additional responsibilities include dancing in the lobby in a spot where the actors can see you from the stage so they start to crack up — or maybe that’s just what my best friends in high school did. Maybe don’t take my advice on that one.
Orchestra
So maybe your singing voice is a little more “Miranda Sings” than Laura Benanti, but you’ve been rocking out on the trumpet in band for years. Satisfy that urge to perform by auditioning to join the orchestra for the show. You get all the fun of showbiz without the months of rehearsals and still get to show off your talent in a spot where you’ll really shine.
Sound
Another option if you don’t make it into the cast is to join the sound crew. You’ll work with any live or recorded music and sound effects and manage the actors’ microphones. It’s a trying task, as everyone will definitely notice when backstage shenanigans are picked up by a rogue mic and projected to the entire audience. You’ll also get to play around with several sources of sound effects, and nothing is more fun than scrolling through a library of sounds to find the one that’s juuuuuust right for your show.
Stage Manager
Who run the world? Stage managers. Who run the world? Stage managers. But really, from the second rehearsals start to the second the curtain falls on closing night, the stage manager is an absolutely vital asset to the show running smoothly. If you get a thrill out of organization and thrive off high stakes, you might love sitting just offstage coordinating all the moving pieces of the show through a tiny headset. If you consider yourself a people-person, this could be the job for you, as you’ll have to manage actors, techies, props masters, costumes and front-of-house staff while working closely with the director. Don’t think you’re quite ready to hold the fate of the show in your hands? Offer to be an assistant stage manager to learn the ropes.
Though it’s no secret that it can be tough to watch a show come to life without you actually performing in it, you can still play your own special role behind the scenes. And who knows? Maybe you’ll stumble upon your secret passion along the way.
Have other ways to be involved in a show? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => Cut From The Cast List? 9 Other Ways To Get Involved With A Show [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => cut-from-the-cast-list-9-other-ways-to-get-involved-with-a-show [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-02 09:54:37 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-02 13:54:37 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5263 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw ) [12] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5087 [post_author] => 712 [post_date] => 2016-11-01 09:11:43 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-01 13:11:43 [post_content] => Recently I auditioned for a small day player role (hired on a daily basis, without a longterm contract) as "The Pizza Delivery Man" in a TV show that shall remain nameless. I was super excited about the opportunity, but struggled to fight audition nerves. Ever the dedicated theatre nerd reporter, I carefully charted the emotional rollercoaster I road during this process and recorded it for the benefit of my fellow nerds: below you will find a detailed account of what actors go through while preparing for an audition.You got an audition appointment - Yaaaasssss! All is right in the world.
You read the sides, and you think, "This is IT!" I was born to play this Pizza Delivery Guy!
But, then you think - how am I supposed to show casting all of my acting skills when Pizza Delivery Guy only has two lines?
Wait, you know how! You will make a really strong choice.
The delivery guy is clearly in a hurry to drop off the pies to an apartment, but the doorman won't let him up. His bike is outside against the building, so obviously he is nervous about it being stolen. Maybe he has had it stolen before. And maybe he is nervous that if he can't deliver the pies properly he could get fired! Yes! This is good!Time to emotionally connect with and memorize everything (all two lines).
Before you know it - audition day is here!
Your audition time is 3:35, but you’re like “I can’t go into work. I need to emotionally prepare myself.”
But, somehow you let the day slip away from you and you realize you should have left your apartment 10 minutes ago.
You rehearse on your run/walk there and people look at you like you need help... and, honestly, you feel like you might.
Phew! You made it with ten minutes to spare! Perfect. But wait… you walk in like...
While, everyone else in the waiting room is like this:
Or this.
You run to the bathroom and splash water all over yourself.
You come back from the bathroom and it’s YOUR TURN.
Remember, that really strong choice you made? Well it turned out like this:
Casting: That was good, but the character actually isn't nervous. They’re in a rush, but literally do not care at all. You: Oh! Okay great! Yes, I prepared another choice as well so that works. (You in your head: NOT great! I do NOT have another choice. S@!t bag!”) You do another take, but you blacked out and don’t remember how it went.
You walk out wishing you could just run back in and ask for another chance. You know you were meant to do this!
You go through a million emotions on the elevator ride down.
You decide to stop at Schmackary’s (insert your dessert joint of choice) on the way back home, because you deserve to treat yourself. It's been a hard day.
Suddenly, your phone rings. It’s your agent calling with another audition!
You get excitedly nervous all over again, because that is what it’s all about.
What emotions and challenges do you go through at auditions? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => What Actors REALLY Go Through During Auditions [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => what-actors-really-go-through-during-auditions [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-11-01 09:14:01 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-11-01 13:14:01 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5087 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [13] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5336 [post_author] => 12 [post_date] => 2016-10-31 11:00:19 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-31 15:00:19 [post_content] => It’s the spookiest time of year… oooOOOooo. So, to celebrate Theatre Nerd style, here are some real spooky stories of the stage.Emma Livry, the Ballerina Whose Tutu Caught Fire
As she steadied herself for her performance she made the fatal mistake of fluffing her tutu next to a gaslight
If you had the privilege of growing up a dancer, you’ve probably heard the cautionary tale of the ballerina who caught on fire during a performance. Details of the tale may have been fudged during the backstage gossip, but regardless, you knew you better not stand too close to the lights in your tutu otherwise you might have ended up like Emma Livry, the ballet prodigy of the romantic era, that is, until her untimely death.
The story begins with Emma waiting in the wings before her second act grand entrance. As she steadied herself for her performance she made the fatal mistake of fluffing her tutu next to a gaslight. Her skirt burst into flames sending Livry into a panic as she ran onto stage screaming and running around frantically in circles all while the audience and other dancers watched on in horror. Eventually, a fireman and another dancer helped to put out the flames but Emma’s burns were extensive. In an effort to be modest, she had clasped the fabric of her corset to her torso causing the corset to melt into her ribs. Additionally, she suffered burns on forty percent of her body including her waist, back, shoulders, thighs, and arms.
Emma spent the next eight months recuperating but ultimately died of sepsis upon the reopening of her wounds. Perhaps the most tragic part of Livry’s death was that it was all too avoidable. A fireproofing method for costumes was available and it was Livry herself who insisted against it due to the yellowness and stiff feel it gave the fabric. As if that weren’t bad enough, Ms. Livry didn’t even learn her lesson. During her recovery she remained opposed to fire-proof skirts: “ Yes, they are, as you say, less dangerous, but should I ever return to the stage, I would never think of wearing them- they are so ugly.”
Moliere- A Grave Performance and the Superstition of Wearing Green
Molière, died in the most dramatic of fashions- while he was on stage performing
France’s Greatest Playwright, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known by his stage name, Molière, died in the most dramatic of fashions- while he was on stage performing. Molière had long been suffering from tuberculosis, a condition he was thought to have acquired during a prison stay due to debt. Tuberculosis or not, nothing was going to stop him from pursuing his artistic endeavors.
The tragic night was set during a royal performance before King Louis the 14th. Ironically, the performance was Le Malade imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid, AKA, the Hypochondriac) it was during this performance that Molière began to cough and gasp uncontrollably until he collapsed and began to hemorrhage. The performance stalled but, briefly, and Molière insisted that the show go on. After bravely forging his way through the rest of the play, despite a secondary collapse, he finally made it home. Hours later, Molière passed away. Sadly, he was denied his last rites, which led to a rumor that his soul didn’t make it to heaven, and that his ghost is still lurking about. On the night of his death, Molière’s costume was green; offsetting the superstition that green is an unlucky color to wear on-stage.
Drury Lane Theatre and The Man in Grey
The Man in Grey is thought to be the ghost of a man who’d been stabbed to death
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, is the oldest operating theatre in London and is quite possibly the most haunted. Although there are many ghosts that have shown up at Drury Lane, it is the ghost referred to as The Man in Grey that is perhaps the most popular. The Man in Grey is thought to be the ghost of a man who’d been stabbed to death and whose remains were found in 1848 inside a passage of the theatre that had been walled up. The Man in Grey is said to dress like a nobleman of the late 18th century donned with a tricorne hat, dress jacket, cloak, riding boots, and sword. The ghost is said to lurk about between the fourth row and the royal box, which is near the spot in the wall where his remains were found.
Palais Garnier and the Truth behind the Phantom of the Opera
The chandelier in the theatre really did fall
You may already know that the Palais Garnier theatre in Paris is the setting for the famous novel and musical, Phantom of the Opera. What you may not know is that the writer, Gastón Leroux was a French journalist whose specialty was investigative journalism on real-life incidents; Leroux’s famous tale, is indeed full of many real-life truths. For instance, the lake of water under the theatre is real, it’s actually more of a water tank, but it’s a body of water under the theatre. Also, the chandelier in the theatre really did fall, not only that, it killed someone. Yikes! Creepier still, is the disfigured contractor that helped build the theatre and who lurked about wearing a mask to hide his unsettling appearance. The man, named Erik (yeah, really!) was born disfigured and abandoned by his family, joined the circus, and eventually became an architect, of sorts. He was even said to walk about wearing dress suits and a cloak. Erik also had his own personal box to watch the performances without being seen. The creepiest part is that he really did fall in love with a singer who performed at the Garnier and he kidnapped her! Luckily, she was found and fled Paris. Erik was so distraught he walled himself up into his apartment under the opera house and ultimately died of starvation. Some time later his suspected remains were found, wearing a gold ring that he was known to wear.
If these stories don’t give you a newfound respect for the spookiness of the theatre than I leave you with this bit of trivia: The ghost light in theatres generally serves a practical use- safety; however, it’s there for superstitious reasons too- to appease the ghosts that are thought to haunt each theatre. The light remains on stage long after the actors go home so that the ghosts may perform thus, preventing them from cursing the theatre. So leave those ghost lights on and have a Happy Halloween!!!
Have your own theater ghost story? Tell us in the comments below...
[post_title] => Theater Ghosts: 4 Spooky Stories Of The Stage [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => theater-ghosts-4-spooky-stories-of-the-stage [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-31 11:09:22 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-31 15:09:22 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5336 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 3 [filter] => raw ) [14] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5267 [post_author] => 11 [post_date] => 2016-10-29 09:42:12 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-29 13:42:12 [post_content] => You can’t get more theatrical than the cult classic musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. While we think doing the Time Warp is appropriate any time of year, there’s something special about watching this flick around Halloween.Here are 13 freakily fantastic quotes to get us in the spooky spirit:
There’s a light, over at the Frankenstein place.” - Janet Weiss
Because you don’t get more Halloween-y than Frankenstein.
So, come up to the lab and see what's on the slab! - Frank N. Furter
This iconic line is kind of spooky.
I see you shiver with antici…pation! - Frank N. Furter
Is it Halloween yet?
It's astounding; time is fleeting; madness takes its toll. - Riff Raff
On a night filled with goblins and ghouls, this seems applicable.
Don't dream it, be it. - Frank N. Furter
Every theatre nerd’s motto when picking out a Halloween costume.
I've tasted blood and I want more! - Janet Weiss
Um, tis the season.
I'm just a sweet transvestite from transexual Transylvania. - Frank N. Furter
One of Rocky Horror’s most frighteningly fabulous moments.
And crawling, on the planet's face, some insects, called the human race. Lost in time, and lost in space…and meaning. - The Criminologist
This profound and bizarre quote is totally creepy crawly.
I ask for nothing, master. - Magenta And you shall receive it. In abundance! - Frank N. Furter
When you’re trick-or-treating and they only have banana laffy taffy left.
Chill me, thrill me, fulfill me. - Janet Weiss
When it’s time to binge that horror movie marathon.
I'll get you a Satanic mechanic. - Frank N. Furter
Probably the only time of year this is not weird to say (sort of).
I am a wild and untamed thing. - Frank N. Furter
Every theatre nerd always.
Let's do the Time Warp again. - Cast
When November 1st rolls around and you already can’t wait for next year’s Halloween!
Did we miss your favorite Rocky Horror quote? Leave it in the comments below...
[post_title] => 13 ‘Rocky Horror’ Quotes That Will Totally Get You In The Mood For Halloween [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 13-rocky-horror-quotes-that-will-totally-get-you-in-the-mood-for-halloween [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-29 09:42:12 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-29 13:42:12 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5267 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [15] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3193 [post_author] => 391 [post_date] => 2016-10-28 11:34:40 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-28 15:34:40 [post_content] => I love everything about Wicked, from the spectacular music and stage design to the hilarious one-liners. Universal Pictures confirmed that it will produce the long-anticipated film version of the hit Broadway musical Wicked for 2019. This film version has been in development hell this whole decade. However, thanks to Les Miserables (2012), Into the Woods (2015), the NBC musical specials, and more recently Hamilton, there is now greater momentum for a Wicked movie. For years, fans of Wicked have dominated social media with fan-fiction, storyboards, and casting predictions. Here are six things that we want to see for the film adaptation of Wicked.1. Animation.
Although several fans have anticipated the movie to be live action, how cool would it be to see a fully or partially animated Wicked film?! One of the great things about animation is that it enhances excitement and emotion that would be impossible to capture in the live-action format. Animation would also bring out more depth to the visual effects, especially in scenes that would require a green screen. With the development of several fan-made storyboards for various scenes, anything seems possible for this film to be animated.
2. Original Cast Cameos.
[caption id="attachment_3199" align="alignright" width="226"] Original Broadway cast of Wicked[/caption]
Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth won the worlds’ hearts as the dynamic duo of Elphaba and Glinda. While the two actresses have left their mark as part of the Original Broadway Cast, Menzel and Chenoweth will be too old to reprise their roles if the film is live action. However, there is always the possibility for them to make cameos, whether as a Munchkin, a Flying Monkey, or as a parent to Elphaba or Glinda.
3. A New Song.
Stephen Schwartz has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, writing music for original Broadway shows as well as for Disney films. The soundtracks for the film versions of The Phantom of the Opera and Evita each included a new song written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Likewise, the producers should consider Schwartz adding a new song for the movie, particularly one that would expand character development.4. A Mix of Broadway and Hollywood Figures.
[caption id="attachment_3202" align="alignleft" width="300"] Aaron Tveit (left) and Kerry Ellis (right) as Fiyero and Elphaba[/caption]
One of the reasons why the Les Miserables movie was successful was because of its casting. The film joined Hollywood figures such as Amanda Seyfried and Anne Hathaway with Broadway stars such as Aaron Tveit and Colm Wilkinson. Doing the same with the Wicked movie will excite Broadway fans as well as those who are not as familiar with the musical. With the vast selection of sopranos and belters in the music industry, the casting choices are plentiful.
5. Flashbacks.
While Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked dedicates the whole first part to Elphaba’s childhood, the musical Wicked only briefly references the witch’s youth. I would love for the film’s writers to include passages from the novel to form a more solid backstory for not only Elphaba, but also for Glinda and other characters.6. Vocals Recorded on Set.
Instead of recording the music and then lip-syncing to it during filming, the Les Miserables film had their performers sing on set with earpieces of the piano accompaniment. I loved this method because it is easier to see the actors’ emotions when they are actually singing live. With the right singers and arrangements, the method should work perfectly for the Wicked film.Agree or disagree? What do you want to see in the Wicked Movie? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => 6 Things The "Wicked" Movie Should Have [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 6-things-wicked-movie-should-have [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://vimeo.com/19733014 [post_modified] => 2017-10-01 12:04:42 [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-10-01 16:04:42 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=3193 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 4 [filter] => raw ) [16] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5278 [post_author] => 12 [post_date] => 2016-10-27 10:01:15 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-27 14:01:15 [post_content] => There’s a ton of ways to stand out at an audition: acting like a diva, wearing a crazy costume, or being just plain crazy. Stand out you will, but for all the wrong reasons. Here are some positive ways to be more memorable at your next audition.1. Be Prepared
Being prepared in every possible way is sure to make you stand out as a true professional. i.e.: Be warmed up, physically and vocally, have your headshot and résumé (plus extra copies), carry your sides, know the character, understand the project and the tone of the script, and be aware of who’s in the room. As the saying goes, “Success happens when preparedness meets opportunity.”2. Be On time
Being on time is super important. Perhaps you won’t stand out for being on time, but you’ll definitely stand out for being late- and not in a good way. Being on time shows that you are a professional and you value both your time and the casting director’s time.3. Slate Professionally
Having proper audition technique is a must. Slate accordingly and don’t do any ‘green’ actor ticks that make you look like a newbie or a hack. No last minute tongue twisters in front of casting or strange turns into character. Say your name, take a beat, and begin.4. Dress Appropriately
No matter what the character, dress in a way that shows a hint of them. If you’re auditioning for a Queen don’t wear a ballgown, but simply something that shows you have class and poise. Most importantly, always dress with respect for yourself.5. Be confident
Go in and do the best you can do and be happy with that. Don’t seek validation, it’s needy and casts doubt over your entire performance.6. Be Kind
Be kind to the other actors in the waiting room, to the monitor, to the receptionist, to the security guard- to everyone. First of all, you never know who’s watching, and secondly, you should be kind regardless because it generates positive energy, which is good for everyone.7. Take Direction
Be pliable. Even if you disagree with the direction given just go with the flow.8. Connect
When you go in front of casting, try to connect with them on a human level instead of putting them on a pedestal. Ask them how they are doing and try to strike up a quick convo on something you can both connect on. Be aware of time and your surroundings; don’t be overly chatty if you sense they are rushed.9. Discover Something Different
This is one of the most important things you can do. A hundred other actors just read the same copy as you did with basically the same instincts. Find a moment in the script where you can add something surprising and unexpected, while remaining true to the scene. This is your chance to let your creativity shine.10. Reinvigorate Your Material
If you’ve been doing the same tired monologue over and over again- mix it up. Try something that scares you. Taking a risk is always noticeable.11. Show You Care
If you connected with the script or the character let the casting director know. It never hurts to mention that you really loved the story, or that you found the character eerily similar to you.12. Be Uniquely You
Find a way to allow what makes you unique, shine through the copy.13. Do Something Unexpected
If an opportunity to mix up the material arises- take it. If they aren’t specific that your monologue/scene comes from a play, take one from a lesser known movie or television series. As long as it fits the needs of what they may be looking for and it’s okay to do so- it’s a great chance to do something they’ve probably never seen before instead of the same tired Heidi Chronicle monologue.14. Gender-bender
Try doing a scene or a monologue written for the opposite sex. It adds a fun twist and when done correctly it can really turn heads.15. Do your Research
It’s impressive when an actor knows how to properly pronounce the strange word in the script, or understands the odd historic reference. It also makes you look super smart- which never hurts.16. Ask Genuine Questions
If you have a genuine question about the script or character, ask it. But don’t waste time by asking arbitrary questions just to stand in front of casting for a few moments longer.17. Find the Button
Whether it’s commercial copy or a comedic scene look for a button. Find it, then end strong with it. When actors don’t hit the button it’s equivalent to never receiving the sweet satisfaction of hearing the other shoe drop.18. Make a Strong Choice
The most important thing above all else is to make a choice, a strong choice, and then stick with it. Don’t change your mind in the middle of the scene- for better or for worse, ride that choice to the end.Have another tip for standing out at auditions? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => 18 Ways To Stand Out At An Audition [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 18-ways-to-stand-out-at-an-audition [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-27 10:03:41 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-27 14:03:41 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5278 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 9 [filter] => raw ) [17] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4407 [post_author] => 440 [post_date] => 2016-10-26 09:04:55 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-26 13:04:55 [post_content] => We’ve all been there. A deadline is looming, and you have hit a wall. It could be procrastination, where you become suddenly interested in crocheting or inventorying your entire closet or learning Japanese, all in the name of avoidance. It could also be that the ideas have run out. Or even that you simply lack the stamina to finish. Fear not, here is a playlist to help get those creative juices flowing and kickstart your motivation (ironically I used this list to help me stop procrastinating finishing this piece):1. "My Shot" from Hamilton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwlBxYyjrqM All of the odds were against him, and he pushed through.2. "The Wizard and I" from Wicked
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZyQwjVRT5c While ‘Defying Gravity’ seems like the more obvious choice, this song is so uplifting while also being about achieving big dreams.3. "Don’t Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeyY2TPc35c Get out of my way, a train of awesome coming through.4. "Seize the Day" from Newsies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLRKUCXzfHM Band together with those in your situation. There are others out there!5. "Finale B" from Rent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH1pm5AMtLY We have to make every moment count because we don’t know when our time is up. It is hopeful while also being motivational.6. "School of Rock" (Teacher's Pet) from School of Rock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI0_3Z1Hkoo Don’t worry about being what everyone else says you should be, go after your passions.7. "Middle of a Moment" from James and the Giant Peach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_fEIZOv0JY It can feel like this time is going to last forever, but there is light at the other side of your tunnel.8. "Son of Man" from Tarzan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4-aVBsavH4 The journey is just as important as the destination. This moment will one day be part of the ‘working on it’ montage in the movie of your life.9. "Something’s Coming" from West Side Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FkcZYdwSlA Your future it out there, just waiting for you to take hold of it and make it incredible.10. "So Much Better" from Legally Blonde
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hKrd0QFMYo You can achieve anything you set your mind to and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.11. "Let Me Be Your Star" from Smash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQwmnn8oarg (okay, not technically Broadway but...) This is your chance to dazzle them with your talents and abilities, make it count.12. "I Have Confidence" from The Sound of Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PX9SIQdCjs Channel your inner Julie Andrews. Between her and her character, there is no confidence lacking. Borrow some.13. "Do You Hear The People Sing" from Les Miserables
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to1PCOpLcYU You will not be a slave to this deadline anymore!14. "Revolting Children" from Matilda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYXjYJNPbgI Sometimes you have to break the rules and think outside of the box.15. "And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going" from Dreamgirls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GxiXg5WfO4 You’re winning them over already, keep it up! You! Yeah, you! You’re going to love me!16. "Wait For It" from Hamilton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nUEhZyF6mU Your incredible future and your big break, are all coming soon, just hang on and wait for it.What Broadway songs get you ready to crush it?! Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => This Broadway Playlist Will Get You Motivated To Crush The Day! [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => this-broadway-playlist-will-get-you-motivated-to-crush-the-day [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-26 12:37:22 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-26 16:37:22 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4407 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [18] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5039 [post_author] => 11 [post_date] => 2016-10-25 09:54:34 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-25 13:54:34 [post_content] => When it comes to great theatre, New York City isn’t the only urban jungle with an appreciation for performing arts. Broadway may have planted its roots in NYC (and we love it for that), but these five cities offer completely unique theatre scenes to any thespian bitten by the travel bug.Los Angeles
LA may be known for its ritzy Hollywood lifestyle, but its theatre scene is just as big and bold. As a city brimming with talent, it’s only fitting there be dozens of performing arts venues. Popular hotspots include Deaf West which utilizes American Sign Language in its unique productions, the Hollywood Fringe Festival which brings a plethora of visitors to witness innovative plays, and the Impro Theatre where audiences help shape improvisation.
What’s happening now? Theatre nerds in LA can catch classics like A View from the Bridge, get into the spooky spirit with The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Hocus Pocus, or check out the hilarious Undateable at Second City.
San Francisco
San Fran’s unique performing arts scene is known for being experimental and ahead of its time. It’s a blend of avant-garde playhouses like the Post Street Theatre, and lavished auditoriums such as the Orpheum. Theatre-goers can catch productions ranging from the latest bestselling tour to a thought-provoking revival of a Shaw play to a world-class opera.
What’s happening now? A Streetcar Named Desire plays the Shelton Theatre, The Makropulos Case graces the War Memorial Opera House, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch tours at the Golden Gate Theatre.
Boston
To theatre or not to theatre...that’s hardly Boston’s question. Warmer months in this metropolis brings free performances during Shakespeare on the Common. Numerous venues span across the city and include the extravagant Wang Center for Performing Arts, seating over 3,000; the Oberon, hosting vaudeville cabarets; and the Colonial Theatre which has hosted legends such as the Marx Brothers and Barbra Streisand.
What’s happening now? Shear Madness brings big laughs to the Charles Playhouse, while the One Man Star Wars Trilogy tours to the Capitol Center for the Arts.
Williamstown
This quaint and historical town is nestled amidst gorgeous Massachusetts mountain ranges. Though it may not boast glitzy, glamorous Broadway stages, it does boast a Tony Award-winning theatre festival -- and that’s saying something. The Williamstown Theatre Festival ranks this city highly in terms of epic theatre scenes. It annually brings together top performers, playwrights, designers and directors from across the nation. The festival’s many workshops, programs, and performances also bring in tons of visitors each summer.
What’s happening now? Though the festival is a summer affair, there are various special events year-round. This October, Fun Home’s Michael Cerveris treats audiences to an evening of music. https://wtfestival.org/
Chicago
The Windy City is jam-packed with classical music, comedy sketches, and grandiose theatre. It’s home to major performing arts centers such as the Goodman Theatre, the Lyric Opera, Steppenwolf, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
What’s happening now? It’s been a star-studded theatrical season in thus far! Patti LuPone recently finished a run of War Paint at the Goodman, and Lin-Manuel Miranda just made a quick pitstop in the city to kick-off the latest production of Hamilton!
Think your city has an awesome theatre scene? Tell us in a comment below!
[post_title] => 5 U.S. Cities With An Amazing Theatre Scene (That Aren't NYC) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 5-us-cities-with-an-amazing-theatre-scene [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-25 09:56:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-25 13:56:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5039 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 21 [filter] => raw ) [19] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4832 [post_author] => 395 [post_date] => 2016-10-24 10:41:11 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-24 14:41:11 [post_content] => We all know the feeling. You’ve gone through a lengthy audition process, been thanked for your time and told that roles will be posted outside the director’s classroom within the next two days. You walk into school. Your palms sweat and your mouth goes completely dry. Over the sound of slamming lockers and morning announcements, you can hear a slight din from the small crowd gathered around a single piece of paper. The font is too small to read over everyone’s head, so you gently shove your way to the front until it’s there, right in front of your face, in full view. The cast list. Whether you get the part of your dreams or this show isn’t for you, the following are 13 thoughts you’ll likely have as you peruse the cast list in search of your name:1. I AM A SUPERSTAR!
Whether you land the lead or are just thrilled to see your name up on that list (Elle Woods, anyone?), there’s no describing that combo feeling of relief and joy that rushes through your veins as you realize your slot in the show has been secured. Pat yourself on the back, you superstar —
2. What did I do wrong?
You didn’t get in. It hurts. It really hurts. And it’s going to hurt for a while, especially when you have to hear about the show for months on end and then eventually see it hit the stage. It’s OK to be sad and disappointed and angry, so grab some Ben & Jerry’s, distract yourself with other activities and try to remember that, there’s always next year.
3. How on earth am I going to learn all those lines?
Once the initial shock of landing a speaking role wears off, reality sets in: You’re going to have to learn a helluva lot of lines to make it from the beginning to the end of the show. Now is a good time to buy some stock in yellow highlighters — you’re going to need more than a couple!
4. Welp! There goes my social life!
Being in a show is an incredible, life-changing experience. But as everyone will tell you, it has the tendency to zap your social life into tiny microscopic — if not nonexistent — pieces. Get used to calling your castmates your “Theatre Family,” because they’re the only members you’re going to be seeing for the next two months.
5. How did he/she get that part over me?
Theatre rivalries are a tale as old as time, and sometimes you can’t settle them over a sing-off of “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.” When it comes down between you and someone else for a role and you don’t get it, it’s fine to feel frustrated, so long as you don’t make your disappointment public. Bring your best to the role you’re given, and you’re sure to stand out anyway!
6. I have to kiss HIM/HER?!
Unless you miraculously get paired off with your longtime crush and this is the opportunity of a lifetime, chances are, you’re going to have to smooch faces with someone you’re not necessarily jazzed up about. Hopefully, your director won’t make you rehearse over and over again!
7. Ooh, a challenge!
So, the part you got was a bit of a stretch from what you were expecting — congrats! However, this is not the kind of role you can easily breeze through without some focus. The moment you walk away from the cast list, you’re ready to crank up your favorite Broadway pump-up playlist, start practicing those lines in the mirror and live and breathe your part. So what if it’s a challenge? It’s your time to shine.
8. I’m so happy for my friends!
Even if you’ve ended up in the chorus for the third year in a row, that doesn’t mean you aren’t incredibly excited for your friends who snagged leads. Jump around in a group hug, squeal a bit and make a scene as you celebrate the fact you’ll all be able to hang out together after school for weeks upon weeks.
9. How many solos do I get?
Sometimes you just can’t help yourself. Count ‘em up, compare them to everyone else in the show, and then move on. Whether you’re dominating the solo arena or have a single word to pipe out, it’s cause to celebrate!
10. Oh...duh!
Sometimes you just know from the get-go which part you’re going to get. Maybe your director let something slip, or a role just seemed so suited to your personality that there was no way you weren’t getting it. In this case, the big reveal warrants nothing more than a shoulder shrug and an “Oh, that makes sense!”
11. How quickly can I get the script?
From the second you find out what part you get, you want to get this show on the road. In fact, you’re the one who leads the march into your director’s office so you can beg and plead to be handed the script before rehearsals even start. Let the memorization begin!
12. I CAN’T WAIT TO WEAR THAT COSTUME!
You can get just as excited about wearing a costume as you do about your lines and solos. Whether you’re busting out an iconic costume a la Roxie in “Chicago” or The Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera,” or just get to wear a sparkly over-the-top ridiculous wedding dress, it’s beyond exciting that you’ll get to ditch your typical wardrobe for something out of this world for a while.
13. What if I’m not good enough?
After the surprise and glee wears off, self-doubt has a way of settling in. You think that there must have been a mistake, there’s no way you can take on a part like this! However, your director chose you for a reason — because they believe in you — and you are absolutely going to nail this role. That uncertainty will only push you to work harder.
Reading the cast list after it’s posted can be an experience as dramatic as the show you’re performing, whether you get the part of your dreams or get let off the list entirely. Regardless of how the process shakes out, remember to be thankful for the roles you do get and remember that there will other be other shows you can try out for!
What goes through your mind upon seeing the cast list? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => 13 Thoughts You Have When The Cast List Goes Up [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 13-thoughts-you-have-when-the-cast-list-goes-up [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-24 10:41:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-24 14:41:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4832 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [20] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5103 [post_author] => 440 [post_date] => 2016-10-23 10:26:29 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-23 14:26:29 [post_content] => It’s hard to make it through October without getting sucked into the vortex of watching Hocus Pocus or It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown multiple times on television. There’s something so lovely and familiar about both of these films that always signals the arrival of the Halloween season. But just incase you were looking for something a little different to take in, of the more musical variety, I’ve compiled a few options as you gear up for All Hallows’ Eve.Here are five musicals to help ignite that Halloween spirit:
Rocky Horror Picture Show
A cult classic but worth all of the hype. If you are looking for something less dramatic and more comedic, this is for you. The original film heralds from 1975 and is a tribute to science fiction, horror and the punk-rock scene in Britain. Kenny Ortega (of Newsies and High School Musical fame) has helmed the star-studded remake, set to air on October 20th on Fox. Or if you are looking to catch the original, check out nearby cinemas, as there are frequent showings of the film where viewers are encouraged to come in character. Start brushing up on your Time Warp now!
Watch the film version on Amazon
Little Shop of Horrors
Alan Menken is the composer behind this musical. Sound familiar? He’s composed the score for many a Disney hit including Aladdin, Newsies, Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Needless to say, the music is great. Little Shop is comedic horror in the same vein as Rocky Horror, about a cannibalistic plant. The film adaptation from 1986 boasts some of Hollywood’s finest comedy actors including Steve Martin, Billy Murray, Ellen Greene and Rick Moranis.
Watch the film version on Amazon
Phantom of the Opera
I love to watch this every year in October to get me in Halloween mood. If you haven’t seen Phantom, stop whatever you are doing and watch it right now. The 1986 musical is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s finest pieces of work, based on the dark and romantic novel by Gaston Leroux about a disfigured musician who becomes deeply obsessed with a beautiful opera singer. The movie version is good, however, if you have not seen the 25th-anniversary version at Royal Albert Hall, definitely give that a look. Sierra Boggess is stunning as Christine, but it is Ramin Karimloo who steals the show with his performance as the tortured Phantom.
Watch the film version on Amazon
The Addams Family
What more can I say but "They're creepy and they're kookey. Mysterious and spookey. They're altogether together ookey. The Addams Family." This old story of the quirky family has been told in film, book, and finally a Broadway musical in 2009. A popular musical for high school & community theaters to put on during the dark days of fall.
Want to get in the mood? Listen to the soundtrack
Sweeney Todd
It doesn’t get much darker than Sweeney Todd. Originally a play about a sadistic barber who kills his clients and hands them over to be made into meat pies, Sondheim worked his magic, and this musical thriller took flight in 1979. Johnny Depp earned an Oscar nod for his role in the Tim Burton film adaption, which heralds an incredible cast of Hollywood talent including Helena Bonham Carter and the late Alan Rickman.
Watch the film version on Amazon
*Note: 2007 film version also currently available on Netflix (U.S.)
Young Frankenstein
What says Halloween more than a trip to Transylvania. This monstrous (pun intended) Mel Brooks film was adapted into a successful Broadway musical in 2007.
Young Frankenstein tells the story of the grandson of Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen"). With his hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and lab assistant Inga (pronounced normally), he follows the footsteps of his ancestors to bring a treacherous monster to life. When the monster escapes, that's when things get silly.
I mean, what could be better than a monster singing & tap dancing to puttin' on the ritz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1FLZPFI3jc
Jekyll and Hyde
Based on the famous horror story by Robert Louis Stevenson, this musical tells the tale of a young doctor who takes a potion to transform into an evil sociopath that commits crimes and then returns to his former self. The musical premiered in 1990 and opened on Broadway in 1997. There is a DVD recording of a performance from 2000 starring David Hasselhoff in the title role. If you are looking for something more dramatic, this is a solid choice.
Get film version on Amazon
You May Like: Which Broadway Character Should You Be For Halloween?
Have a favorite musical that gets you in the Halloween mood? Let us know in the comments below…
[post_title] => 7 Musicals To Get You In The Halloween Spirit [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 7-musicals-to-get-you-in-the-halloween-spirit [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://theatrenerds.com/which-broadway-character-should-you-be-for-halloween/ [post_modified] => 2018-10-07 16:46:41 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-10-07 20:46:41 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5103 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 5 [filter] => raw ) [21] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5243 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2016-10-22 18:10:37 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-22 22:10:37 [post_content] => Watch the complete behind the scenes documentary of the smash-hit Hamilton right here on TheatreNerds.com. (full screen version available after you hit the play button)Need an intermission? Take these Hamilton quizzes:
Which Hamilton Character Are You?
Just How Hamilton Obsessed Are You?
How Well Do You Know These Hamilton Lyrics?
Finished with the documentary? Let us know what you thought in the comments below...
[post_title] => Watch The Complete "Hamilton’s America" Documentary Here [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => watch-hamiltons-america-documentary [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2017-07-06 11:29:59 [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-07-06 15:29:59 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5243 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [22] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5151 [post_author] => 11 [post_date] => 2016-10-22 10:08:55 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-22 14:08:55 [post_content] => [viralQuiz id=18] [post_title] => Quiz: Can We Guess What Type Of Thespian You Are Based On Your Starbucks Order? [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => can-we-guess-what-type-of-thespian-you-are-based-on-your-starbucks-order [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-22 10:16:08 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-22 14:16:08 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5151 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [23] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5121 [post_author] => 190 [post_date] => 2016-10-21 09:51:45 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-21 13:51:45 [post_content] =>Are you a Drama Actor or Comedy Actor?
It’s a common misconception that acting is broken down into comedy and drama, and that actors have “chosen” one side or the other. The truth is that acting is acting is acting. To say that I’m a “comedic” actor implies that I will intentionally play a character “funny,” which isn’t the case. An actor’s job is to live truthfully in a character. Think about your friends. Are they either a “funny person” or a “serious person?” Nope. They’re just people. Sometimes they might make a joke, sometimes they cry. Characters are the same way. Actors don’t approach it from an idea of “being funny” or not.
How do you memorize all those lines?
I always think this is the goofiest compliment (?) to get after a show. Like, if I ever play Hamlet, and the first thing someone says to me after was “Wow! That was a lot of lines!” I’m gonna feel pretty crappy. Memorizing your lines is the BARE MINIMUM thing you have to do. It’s like telling a painter “Hey! GREAT job getting the paint on the canvas!!” and not saying anything about the actual painting.
See you on the Big Screen soon?
Or “When will I see you on TV?” Well. Not everyone will be on TV. But that doesn’t mean that they’re not kicking ass and taking names off screen. The theatre industry is HUGE. Just because you haven’t seen someone on TV doesn’t mean that they’re not successful.
Oh... that's a tough industry
How is someone supposed to respond to this one except for the ole' "yep". Acting is a tough industry, but the variety of jobs may surprise some people. Sure, there are movie and big stage bookings. However, many don't consider the gigs that can keep actors paid, such as: extra work, voice overs, educational & instructional videos, etc. Many worthwhile and rewarding industries are tough, acting just seems to be an easy parental target.
Stage Acting or Movies?
Kinda like #1, these two things aren’t mutually exclusive. Actors can be constantly flowing between stage work and film. It’s not necessarily something you have to choose. Plenty of actors do both.
So can you make yourself cry right now?
Is this some secret acting test? I’ve cried in a performance like...once in my life. And that was also by far not my best performance. There are soooooo many ways that people express sadness, and crying is just one of those ways. I’m not a big crier in real life, but I’m still experiencing a full range of emotions. Crying is not a requirement in order to “prove” that you’re sad. I went to see Chris Colfer speak in New York, and a member of the audience asked him “how do you cry so well?” His response: “It’s actually like a glandular thing. Like, I squeeze my eyes a certain way and they just tear up.”...Lucky son of a gun.
In another life I would have done that.
This sentiment is so bittersweet. It makes me sad that they didn’t feel like they were able to fully explore and pursue something that they’re obviously passionate about. It also makes me so grateful that I have the opportunity.
So... what's your 'backup' plan?
This classic phrase haunts 99.99999 percent of all actors trying to make it in the industry. We don't have a backup plan because this is a legitimate business (that requires school and experience just like any other profession). Sure, we may be an actor who's currently waitering, but we are not a waiter who's currently acting.
Well cool! Keep following your dreams.
Corny, but by far the best response out there.
What crazy/funny things do your friends parents say to you? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => Things My Friend’s Parents Say When They Find Out I’m An Actor [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => things-my-friends-parents-say-when-they-find-out-im-an-actor [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-21 09:54:03 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-21 13:54:03 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5121 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [24] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5089 [post_author] => 714 [post_date] => 2016-10-19 10:13:50 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-19 14:13:50 [post_content] => Tony Awards season can feel like Christmas for thespians across America. You count down the days until the 2nd weekend in June, and make a wish list of cast albums you need to get your hands on ASAP. From revivals to ‘revolutionary’ new shows, this past Broadway season provided so many possibilities to expand your audition book. Save yourself from singing something that casting directors have heard thousands of times, and pick your next audition room success story fresh off the Great White Way!1. “When He Sees Me” from Waitress
Range: Ab3 - Eb5 The Sara Bareilles musical based on the 2007 film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress who becomes pregnant and falls in love with her gynecologist. Meanwhile she hopes to enter a pie-baking contest in order to have the funds to leave her dysfunctional marriage. Sung by the one of Jenna’s fellow waitresses, Dawn, this song is a humorous uptempo about the anxiety of going on a first date. It’s cute, has solid character development, but has more depth than your average uptempo audition song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l290icCebDk2. “Higher” from Allegiance
Range: G3 - D5 Allegiance is the musical inspired by the life of George Takei, and follows the story of a family in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Lea Salonga slays this beautiful, heart-breaking, girl-power ballad. I personally love this song because I feel like women of any age can relate to this message. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cb2f09OS-U3. “She Loves Me” from She Loves Me
Range: C4 - D5 This title song from Harnick and Bock’s musical is a little too adorable, especially in the most recent revival with Zachary Levi. After a flirty encounter with his co-worker Amalia (Laura Benanti) after bringing her ice cream to cheer her up, Georg (Zachary Levi) walks down the street, giddy with butterflies, that he has found an unexpected love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwUzteO1Nsc4. “Top of the World” from Tuck Everlasting
Range: A3 - G#5 Tuck Everlasting tells the story of eleven-year-old Winnie who runs away from home and meets Jesse Tuck. Jesse drank water from a spring that grants eternal life, and will forever be 17-years-old. This song is perfect for the youthful male protagonist. Plus, Andrew-Keenan Bolger is always swoon-worthy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDrQvtP2w9k5. Come Out Of The Dark from On Your Feet
Range: E3 - E5 The musical that tells the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan brings their classic songs to the stage. Originally performed by Gloria Estefan, this ballad has such a cool melody and a whole lot of soul. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3phWULcMrw6. If Only You Would Listen from School of Rock
Range: A3 - D5 Based on the 2003 movie starring Jack Black, School of Rock is about a rock guitarist/singer who finds himself as a substitute teacher for a 4th grade class. He taps into the students’ musical talent and prepares them to compete in Battle of the Bands. This song from School of Rock is a better alternative to the cringe-worthy “Castle on a Cloud” or “Maybe” for child actors. The kids of School of Rock sing about the difficulties of feeling like their voices aren’t heard or valued by adults in society. It can be hard for child actors to find songs, but this one can definitely show the audition panel that you can be taken seriously. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpg0hEeCZcs7. You’ll Be Back from Hamilton
Range: D3 - C5 One of the more “classic” musical theatre songs from Lin-Manuel’s new hit, “You’ll Be Back” is the perfect arrogant-villain song. I could imagine someone picking this song to audition for Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. Although, I’d hurry and use this one before Hamilton is added to “overdone” and “do-not-sing” lists everywhere! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdxLohjwhoQ8. The Sailor of My Dreams from Dames at Sea
Range: C4 - F5 Originally off-Broadway with Bernadette Peters, and recently on Broadway with Eloise Kropp, Dames at Sea tells the story of a chorus girl who comes to the Big Apple, gets a role on Broadway, and quickly rises to stardom. In this song, Ruby sing about Dick, a songwriter and sailor who she has developed feelings for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiJH9Pr3ZiQ Keeping up to date with Broadway’s newest shows can put you at an advantage during auditions. Casting directors are less likely to have heard your song, but are probably at least aware of the show it is from.Do you have a favorite song from a current Broadway show? Share it with us below...
[post_title] => 8 Great Audition Songs From The 2015-2016 Broadway Season [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 8-great-audition-songs-2015-2016-broadway-season [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-19 22:59:18 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-20 02:59:18 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5089 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [25] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4843 [post_author] => 391 [post_date] => 2016-10-18 10:08:11 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-18 14:08:11 [post_content] => For the past several decades, New York’s Broadway and London’s West End have had a fair exchange of musicals between them. In fact, three of the five longest-running musicals on Broadway premiered in London before transferring to New York (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and Cats). At the same time, Americans who are not as familiar with the West End scene have missed out on certain shows which (regrettably) never transferred to New York. Here are 10 great London musicals that never had a Broadway transfer. If they aren’t already on your radar, check them out to take your Theatre Nerd status to the next (international) level.1. Love Never Dies.
The long-anticipated sequel to Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera premiered in London in 2010. The plot concerns the character, soprano Christine Daaé, who receives a mysterious invitation to perform at the opening of Phantasma, a new attraction on Coney Island. The musical had runs in Melbourne, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Tokyo, and is expected to have a U.S. tour next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZoQLaYKOGg2. We Will Rock You.
Featuring the music of Queen, this jukebox musical premiered in London in 2002, and ran there for 12 years. The plot concerns a group of Bohemians who wish to restore freedom of expression to a conformist society. Aside from several international productions, its most notable American productions are a Las Vegas production and a North American tour beginning in 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Byd5qHuxWA3. Jerry Springer: the Opera.
This outrageous musical, which premiered in London in 2003, is chock full of blasphemy and extensive profanity, including a tap-dancing troupe of Ku Klux Klan members. Despite a successful UK tour, the proposed Broadway production for 2005 was ultimately cancelled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpsd9XU05fU4. Honk!
Written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling” premiered in Newbury, Berkshire in 1993 before opening in London in 1999. Although Honk! is popular among children’s and regional theatres throughout Britain and the U.S., a transfer to Broadway has yet to happen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdx0pGXoyio5. Marguerite.
Co-written by the masterminds behind Les Miserables (Boublil, Schönberg, and Kretzmer), this musical is about a 40 year-old singer whose young lover is caught in the middle of the French Resistance. Aside from its 2008 London premiere and its 2012 revival there, the musical has been produced in Tokyo and Ostrava. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kHm31gVFkA6. Spend Spend Spend.
Written by Steve Brown and Justin Green, this rags-to-riches-to-rags-again story retells the true story of a woman who wins £152,000 in football pools, but eventually her life turns to chaos. Premiering on West End in 1998, the musical was later revived in Bagnor, Berkshire in 2009. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4udqGJcmq07. Metropolis.
Based on the 1927 silent film of the same name, this musical by Joe Brooks and Dusty Hughes premiered on West End in 1989. It marked the London debut of Judy Kuhn, who provided the singing voice of Pocahontas in the Disney film of the same name. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYyAWwwI2zY8. Bend It Like Beckham.
With its music and lyrics by Howard Goodall and Charles Hart respectively, this musical based on the 2002 eponymous film premiered on West End in 2015, closed last March. With the recent tour and Broadway run of Bring It On: the Musical, it’s not hard to believe that sports-related musicals like Beckham could do well in New York. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQP-VQsKU5U9. Witches of Eastwick.
Based on the 1984 novel of the same name, this musical is about three witches whose attraction to the devil-like Darryl corrupts his every move. After premiering on West End in 2000, the musical has been produced in Moscow, Melbourne, and Sao Paolo. The musical premiered in the United States in 2007. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAs2-VF_2bc10. Peggy Sue Got Married.
Based on the 1986 film of the same name, this short-lived West End musical was a star vehicle for Ruthie Henshall, who earned an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. It closed shortly after 9/11, due to the fewer amount of patrons flying to London. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obIEaEGqnrIThink of a show that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below...
[post_title] => 10 Popular West End Musicals That Never Made It To Broadway [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 10-popular-west-end-musicals-that-never-made-it-to-broadway [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-18 10:08:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-18 14:08:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4843 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 13 [filter] => raw ) [26] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5075 [post_author] => 12 [post_date] => 2016-10-17 10:26:40 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-17 14:26:40 [post_content] => Everyone knows actors can survive on waitressing and bartending- but how about some gigs that actually use those skills you acquired in acting school? Here are five gigs that pay actors for using their thespian backgrounds.1. Extra Work
Extra work (also known as background work) is a great way to gain experience on film sets while using some of those skills you obtained during your theatre training. You’ll be on set observing how the film crew works with the other actors and the director to create the big picture. Plus, you get access to craft services. And the best part… a paycheck.
Backstage has a ton of extras listings you can browse through
2. Reader/Assistant to a Casting Director
Some ‘reader’ jobs are volunteer based; however, if you get a job as an assistant to a casting director you not only get a legit paycheck, you also get key insights into how a casting office works, which will be very beneficial in the long run, plus, you get to practice those cold reading skills on a daily basis…in front of casting. It’s a major win-win.
3. Teaching
There are plenty of teaching opportunities for actors of all different levels. From community service to kid’s summer art camps, to setting up shop in your living room and teaching singing lessons. Whether your strong suit is improv, dancing, singing, or Shakespeare, there are educational opportunities everywhere, and if not, there’s no reason why you can’t create one.
4. Kid Parties
Most actors like to dress up, so why not dress up like a superhero or a princess and dabble in the time-honored tradition of working children’s birthday parties. The money can be good and the hours are pretty fantastic for most actor schedules.
5. Blogging/Writing
If you’re afflicted with not only the acting bug but the writer bug as well, why not combine your two loves and blog about your theatre passion? Blogs are great ways to express yourself and you may even bring in some dough while you’re at it. We are always looking for great writers here at TN - shoot us a sample of your writing and a couple of article ideas and see what happens. It never hurts to try new things, and sometimes it can lead to awesome new opportunities!
Apply to write for Theatre Nerds here
Have another to add to the list? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => 5 Ways Actors Can Make Extra Cash…As Actors [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 5-ways-actors-can-make-extra-cash-as-actors [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-17 10:26:40 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-17 14:26:40 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5075 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [27] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5126 [post_author] => 639 [post_date] => 2016-10-16 08:21:38 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-16 12:21:38 [post_content] =>Most thespians have heard of Rent. We have all listened to the album on a loop, seen it on Broadway or at a local high school, most definitely have seen the movie, and maybe even lip synced to “Out Tonight” once or twice. This Pulitzer Prize winning show was written by the late Jonathan Larson. I have personally always been a huge Rent fan, and had recently come across a cast album for Larson’s lesser known work Tick, Tick...Boom! Tick, Tick...Boom! is Larson’s autobiographical story about the struggle to become a successful composer. Though he never got to see the impact his work had on the world, this early work gives us some great insight to the composer we have grown to appreciate. George Salazar is starring as (the central character) Michael in the current run of Tick, Tick...Boom!. Salazar’s first big break was getting cast in the national tour for Spring Awakening. From there, he has starred in multiple shows on Broadway and Off-Broadway. Past roles include the 2011 Godspell revival and the Joe Iconis composed Be More Chill in 2015. Salazar was nice enough to answer some questions for Theatre Nerds about how he got his start in theatre and what this show means to him. Theatre Nerds - When did you first start performing? Salazar - I was always making people laugh, but never knew I could actually do that for a living. I got roped into auditioning for Little Shop of Horrors in my junior year of high school. I very much wanted to just go home, eat some pizza rolls, and watch Jerry Springer, but I decided to give it a shot and eventually was cast as Seymour Krelborn. I haven't been able to stop since. Theatre Nerds - Who were some of your early influences? Salazar - I very quickly took a liking to The Last Five Years and that began my idolizing of (the actor) Norbert Leo Butz. Here was a guy who could be absolutely hilarious one second and then make an audience cry in the next. That was the kind of work I knew I wanted to do and Norbert quickly became my biggest idol. Theatre Nerds - When did you know that theatre was what you wanted to do? Was there a defining moment? Salazar - I had dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon, and those dreams quickly changed. The single defining moment was when my drama teacher met with my parents to talk about college. They of course encouraged me to study pre-Med. My parents -- on the drive home from that meeting -- told me that she only said one thing to them. ‘There a millions of doctors out there, but only one George.’ They were on board at that point and have been incredibly supportive ever since. [caption id="attachment_5136" align="alignnone" width="710"]Believe in yourself, take criticisms as water off a duck's back, trudge on and conquer the world.
Will Connolly and George Salazar in "Be More Chill" Photo Credit: Charles Erickson Photography[/caption]
Theatre Nerds - Let’s talk about Tick, Tick...Boom! Super exciting it’s coming back. Also insane that the venue had to change due to high ticket demands. This cast really only consists of you and two other characters. What was the audition process like?
Salazar - The audition process was as lovely as audition processes can possibly go. I got the audition and immediately texted Nick Blaemire. We did Godspell together and we're thick as thieves. I loved the idea of doing Tick, Tick...Boom! and especially loved the idea of doing it with Nick. I had also worked with Ciara Renee and fell in love with her immediately. Nick told me he was going to be at the audition, reading opposite the actors coming in for the role, and I couldn't wait to read opposite him. I knew our chemistry as friends was going to be very helpful. I went in for it and fell instantly in love with Jonathan Silverstein, our director, Joey Chancey, our MD, and Christine O'Grady, our choreographer, who I have known for years but hadn't gotten an opportunity to work with her.
The energy in the room totally fit my vibe and I loved every moment of my fifteen minutes in the room. I sang "Michael in the Bathroom" from Be More Chill, written by Joe Iconis, sang "Real Life" from Tick, Tick...Boom!, and read two scenes opposite Nick. I left the room feeling really good about it. A few hours later, I got the offer from my agent and I screamed and texted Nick. It's been the most incredible experience working on this show with Nick and Ciara and we can't wait to share it with audiences.
[caption id="attachment_5132" align="alignnone" width="970"] George Salazar, Ciara Renee & Nick Blaemire in Tick Tick...Boom![/caption]
Theatre Nerds - One of my favorite things about this show is it causes us to all ask ourselves, “Is my dream still worth pursuing?” We’ve all gotten to that hard spot in our careers. How do you think this show is relevant today?
Salazar - There are a lot of similarities in the themes of this show and Sunday in the Park with George. Two shows that revolve around the timeless process of creating art and how the creation of art reacts with various aspects of real life. That clash (or harmony, if you're lucky) remains the same as time passes. It's the most relevant thing specific to us as artists and lovers of theater.
The show is also relevant because it's an autobiographical piece about Jonathan Larson. He is very clearly one of the most innovative and earth-changing composers of any generation and influenced so much of what we see and hear today. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Rent and the untimely death of Jonathan Larson, and our production pays such a tribute to this genius and game changer. Jonathan changed the American musical theater, inspiring so many and paving the way for artists like Joe Iconis and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Also, Jon is approaching his 30th birthday and for those of us who are approaching 30 or have passed 30, the stress that number holds is relatable in the most visceral way.
This story showcases the artist's life, specifically this artist's life. People think of Jonathan Larson as the writer of Rent, but he also wrote a musical called Superbia that never grew legs and went anywhere. And Tick, Tick...Boom! was written as a sort of open letter to the industry. You get to know the starving artist: the complicated individual who tries so desperately to balance his art and his personal life, do his work for his art yet pay his bills, the very life that so many of us "theatre nerds" commit ourselves to. Jon never gave up and worked his ass off until the end to make his dreams come true. It's an affirmation of sorts. Believe in yourself, take criticisms as water off a duck's back, trudge on and conquer the world.
In the show, Larson says, “I want to write music. I want to sit down right now at my piano and write a song that people will listen to and remember.” Despite his doubts, he did just that. You can see George Salazar and the rest of the cast of Tick, Tick...Boom! from now until November 20th at the Acorn Theatre. Get Tix Here
Learn more about George at https://www.thegeorgesalazar.com/
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You Might Like: 6 Broadway-Inspired Halloween Costumes For The Ultimate Theatre Nerd
[post_title] => Quiz: Which Broadway Character Should You Be For Halloween? [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => which-broadway-character-should-you-be-for-halloween [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://theatrenerds.com/broadway-inspired-halloween-costumes/ [post_modified] => 2018-10-11 10:06:55 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-10-11 14:06:55 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4985 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 7 [filter] => raw ) [29] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3666 [post_author] => 395 [post_date] => 2016-10-13 10:59:25 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-13 14:59:25 [post_content] =>
Last fall, the CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” took the TV world by storm and was a particular hit among theatre fans. If you haven’t started this show yet, open another tab, kick Netflix into gear and say goodbye to the next four days of your life — trust me, it will be worth it.
The show follows Rebecca Bunch, an unhappy workaholic lawyer who drops her NYC job like a bad habit and relocates to West Covina, California, after an accidental run-in with her middle-school ex, Josh Chan — a move some might call crazy.
The show navigates her adventures and mishaps as she works to win back Josh’s heart, but what sets this show apart from other ridiculously titled charming romantic comedies is its slew of catchy musical numbers. Rebecca has a tendency to burst into song on the spot about whatever she’s thinking about, and even admits in a later episode that musical theatre is how she understands the world when things get tough.
Though the show has plenty of original tunes, such as “Oh My God, I Think I Like You” and “A Boy Band Made Up of Four Joshes,” many songs draw inspiration from well-loved Broadway favorites. With season 2 only a week away, we thought it would be fun to recap the best theatre-inspired moments from the first season. (Warning: Some spoilers ahead if you haven't watched season 1)
‘Cold Showers’ — “You Got Trouble,” from “The Music Man”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDx6ai-HA1M In this song, Rebecca channels her inner Harold Hill from “The Music Man” when trying to convince the inhabitants of an apartment complex to sue their landlord over their cold showers. Of course, the whole situation is a predictable ploy to spend more time with the swoon-worthy Josh, but hearing Rebecca compare cold showers to the “gateway drug to crack” a la “You Got Trouble” is nothing short of brilliant. “Gasp!” Rebecca sings. “That’s ‘gasp’ with an uppercase G, that ends with P, the first letter in pool!”‘Flooded With Justice’ — “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from “Les Miserables”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2LvAAuT6XA It seems musical TV shows can’t help themselves when it comes to spoofing “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from “Les Miserables.” While “Galavant” had the inspiring yet ultimately dooming “Today We Rise,” “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” has “Flooded With Justice.” Continuing with the cold showers lawsuit theme, a group of unhappy tenants charges on a California courthouse while singing, “Can you hear that trickling sound? It’s the Faulty Faucet of Truth. It’s a drip, drip, drip that will make you say ‘What is that?’” Though the subject matter of the song is absurd and not quite at the same level as, say, the French Revolution, there’s something about the familiar tune that makes your heart swell and makes you feel like going out there and making a difference.‘Dream Ghost’ — “Dreamgirls” from “Dreamgirls”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlrynHRC0pA There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned play on words, and “Dream Ghost” absolutely nails it with its homage to “Dreamgirls.” As Rebecca struggles on a plane with a difficult choice about whether to stay in West Covina or return to her New York life, she is visited by a “Dream Ghost” who looks freakishly like her real-life therapist. The Dream Ghost sings “It’s not clear if I’m hallucinated, or actually magic! Let’s leave it vague, it’s more interesting that way.” Add in two other Dream Ghosts singing backup, disco lights and The Supremes costumes, and this is the perfect tune to get stuck in your head when you’re trying to make a decision and looking for a little intervention from your subconscious.‘After Everything I’ve Done For You (That You Never Asked For)’ — “Rose’s Turn” from “Gypsy”
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtKtmXzeyqs[/embed] Rebecca’s best friend Paula is easily one of the greatest characters on the show. She would do anything — literally, anything — to see Josh and Rebecca get together, whether Rebecca wants her to or not. When Rebecca seems like she’s giving up on Mission Make-Josh-Love-Me, Paula loses it in the only way a mother figure can: like Mama Rose in “Gypsy.” After listing a series of increasingly insane thing she’s gone through to set the two of them up — including breaking into a high school to steal grades and blackmailing the boss of Josh’s girlfriend — Paula has decided she’s had enough. And with her classic “Rose’s Turn” red dress and name illuminated in Broadway lights, Paula gives the Bernadettes, Pattis and Ethels of the world a bit of competition. Be sure to watch the show to check out all the other references to the Great White Way. Whether it’s a Rogers and Astaire dance routine, an inspirational song a la “Climb Every Mountain” or a delightfully villainous ditty from a Disney show, you’ll want to watch the series and listen to the soundtrack over and over until you catch them all. Bonus Track: ‘One Indescribable Instant’ [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLXT0SDvQw8[/embed] Two words: Lea. Salonga.One could only wonder what musical theatre'y things are in store for season two!
[post_title] => 4 Hilarious Musical Theatre-Inspired Moments On 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 4-musical-theatre-inspired-moments-on-crazy-ex-girlfriend [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-13 11:05:29 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-13 15:05:29 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=3666 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [30] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5051 [post_author] => 9 [post_date] => 2016-10-12 13:14:54 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-12 17:14:54 [post_content] =>1.
…Because we’re a hard working tech crew and this set won’t build itself.
2.
…Because they were from harsh theatre critics.
3.
…Said every actor who ever refused makeup.
4.
…He’s writing his own version of West Side Story, but instead of casting Puerto Ricans… he’s casting Mexicans.
5.
Every good script gets a revival performance.
6.
Because I work for a non-profit theater and we’re tax exempt.
7.
…Which is okay, because we’re working on a modernized adaptation of Oedipus Rex.
8.
…the half that leaves the theater before curtain call is over.
9.
He’s a method actor getting ready for really challenging role.
10.
It’s the first day off-book and Gary just needed a line call.
11.
…Because they’re working on hitting their cues faster.
12.
Sometimes… it’s just better to send in the understudies.
What are some other things politicians would be allowed to say if they were actually talking about theatre? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => 12 Things Politicians Would Be Allowed To Say If They Were Actually Talking About Theatre [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => things-politicians-would-be-allowed-to-say-if-they-were-talking-about-theatre [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-12 15:25:30 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-12 19:25:30 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5051 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw ) [31] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4268 [post_author] => 440 [post_date] => 2016-10-11 10:05:04 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-11 14:05:04 [post_content] => Working in student theatre has taught me a great many things including but not limited to, how to iron crayon out of a carpet, the cure for stage fright, and what to do when there is a lice outbreak during the second performance of a three show run thanks to a cast member’s younger sibling . True stories all of them. But I think I have learned the most about how to facilitate a show on a tight budget, especially in the area that often sucks up the most money: costumes. I have become somewhat of a wizard in this arena. Like the cool Harry Potter kind. Think Hermione shocking everyone by pulling everything they need out of that ridiculously tiny bag.Here are a few ways to costume your show on a very tight budget:
Thrift Shops
When I worked at a summer theater camp where we were costuming five shows a summer on an extremely tight budget, the staff at the local thrift shop knew me by name. It’s a great place to pick up specific pieces or even find items that can be used to make what you need. I once bought twenty oversized white t-shirts for $1 each and made them into togas for an entire youth cast of Hercules by cutting off the neck and left sleeve and adding braided rope for a belt. Three-quarters of the cast were costumed for under thirty dollars! Which segues nicely into my next suggestion…DIY
Get your inner Martha Stewart on! Pinterest is chalk full of ideas if you are finding it hard to imagine how to make a specific piece. Don’t feel like you have to reinvent the wheel; you are busy enough. Once, after several attempts to make a Paper Bag Princess costume out of a lawn bag only to have it tear each time, I turned to Pinterest and found trick involving velcro and a duct tape shell. It worked like a charm, and that singular paper bag dress made it through three dress rehearsals and four shows with no rips or tears.Donation List for the Cast & Crew
You would be surprised what people have lying around at home that they are willing to donate or loan you. I once had a girl bring in a pink dress that her grandmother was generous enough to donate that was almost identical to Liesel’s dress in The Sound of Music. Not only did we use it for a production of Sound of Music, but it also went on to be used in three other shows. I’ve found it helpful to give your cast and crew a list of costume or prop pieces needed and see what is brought in. You might be pleasantly surprised. Plus, they’re free! Win!Cheap Supplies
Dollar stores are your friend. They don’t have completed costumes, but they hold the elements to make them cheaply if you can get creative. I once made a Mike Wazowski costume using two green toilet seat covers, cardboard, elastic and fun foam, all for the low price of four dollars. Dig deep and use your imagination. If you find you do need something from the higher priced craft stores, scour the Internet for a coupon first. My favorite crafting chain often offers fifty percent off on any regular priced item. Some stores will donate if you explain what it’s for and offer to thank them in your program. While trying to build a bridge for one of our shows, I went to Home Depot to purchase plywood. When the sales associate helping me heard what I was buying the wood for, he showed me the pile of scrap wood they can’t sell and told me to help myself. It didn’t cost a cent.Renting or Borrowing From Local Theatre Companies
Some places will be very generous and loan them to you for free (sometimes with the incentive of a name drop in the program as thanks). Others will rent them to you for a discounted rate. If you are smart about it, this can be worth your while. A friend at a local theater company loaned us a lion costume one summer and to make the most of the opportunity, we staged Wicked, High School Musical and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe all in the same summer. That lion costume showed up in all three shows. Even if you rent or borrow just one piece, decide what you can get the most use out of and go for that.Get Creative
I think I’ve emphasized this a few times already, but the most important thing is to be creative with what you’ve got. Part of what I love about the stage version of The Lion King is the creative way it is costumed. Instead of people in animal suits like mascots, the costumes are made up of unique elements that support and tell the story with each performer’s movement and expression. Don’t be frightened away from staging the show you want because it has ambitious costumes or props. After weeks of wracking our brains for how to make our version of Defying Gravity have as much impact as the Broadway version, without a budget for rigging, we opted for a very tall ladder. Draping it in yards of black fabric and attaching more black fabric to Elphaba’s back, which crew members pinned to the side curtains to hold them up, it actually looked pretty impressive. No, it wasn’t the same way it is performed in the original show, but many members of the audience couldn’t tell it was a ladder and commented after that it was their favorite part of the show because of the way we had staged it.Have another idea we missed? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => Try These Hacks For Costuming On A Tight Budget [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => hacks-for-costuming-on-a-tight-budget [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-11 10:07:12 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-11 14:07:12 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4268 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 7 [filter] => raw ) [32] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4855 [post_author] => 714 [post_date] => 2016-10-10 10:47:22 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-10 14:47:22 [post_content] => The curtain has closed, the set has been struck, and you suddenly have a lot of free time in your life. For the thespian, "post-show grief" is a chronic condition and can take anywhere from a few weeks, to a few months to overcome. You're told the "sun will come out tomorrow," but you just want to wallow in your memories of good-times-gone-by with cast mates, bows, applause, flowers in your dressing, and that ever addictive rush of adrenaline as you step on the stage. But the show must end, and the grieving process must begin one way or another. To help you out, we have outlined that process below to help you track your progress!Stage 1: Denial
You wake up in a panic thinking you lost your script, or are late to rehearsal. You continue to have theatre nightmares where the stage collapses on you or something goes drastically wrong.
Stage 2: Sentimental and Sappy
You post pictures of your awesome cast and crew all over social media to show off the amazing new friendships you made. You plan reunions for your cast to spend more time together to sing karaoke to your favorite cast recordings.
Stage 3: Identity Crisis
You start an extensive search for auditions in the area to get back in the rehearsal room ASAP. Because if you’re not at rehearsal or on stage, who even are you?
Stage 4: Reliving Every Moment Of The Show
You reminisce with your friends about the show, and try to get them to join you in sing/dance-alongs.
Stage 5: Regret
You suddenly are overwhelmed with a wave of “what if”s. “What if I made a different choice here?” “Oh man, I wish I didn’t fall during that dance sequence.” “That would have been so awesome if I had done something different for that scene.”
Stage 6: Depression
Some people skip right to this step and fall into a dramatic, tear-filled depression like the dramatist they are... This step is rough. Go buy some ice cream, listen to the cast recording, and wallow. But keep it in check...give yourself a few days, a week at most, and then put on your big-kid character shoes and get back out there!
Stage 7: Acceptance
You realize that while you will cherish your memories of show’s past, you need to keep moving forward and make new theatre memories.
Stage 8: You Get Cast In Another Show And The Process Starts Again
That wonderful moment when you can look forward to months filled with theatre and all of the wonderful experiences that come with being a part of a production. It’s the Circle of Life.
As Sherie Rene Scott would say, “The scary thing about theatre—it doesn’t live on… It doesn’t last. Only in people’s memories and their hearts. That’s the beauty and sadness of it. But that’s life—beauty and sadness. And that’s why theatre is life.”
Did we miss a stage that you experience? Leave a reply below...
[post_title] => The 8 Stages of Post-Show Grief [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 8-stages-of-post-show-grief [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-03-09 22:20:52 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-03-10 03:20:52 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4855 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [33] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4964 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2016-10-08 10:47:48 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-08 14:47:48 [post_content] => Twitter is...well...Twitter. And #hamitrash is a thing. Wondering if your Hamilton obsession has reached #hamiltrash territory? Here's your measuring stick...1. hannah is overcome.
https://twitter.com/hannah_prutch/status/7837013522328248322. John gets put in his place...
https://twitter.com/iStarKid14/status/7844161670835322893. She gets a Hamil-homecoming proposal...
https://twitter.com/desplotz/status/7834677172904960004. Dalton's emotional train ride (must play video).
https://twitter.com/djcornell88/status/7831091029815705605. mj gets some "Non-Stop" help from his "friends".
https://twitter.com/nancylu/status/7828171519293644806. Amy made a Hamilton spoon vinyl decal, because why not.
https://twitter.com/alouise311/status/7827800664010219527. Turning grandma into hamiltrash...
https://twitter.com/sydneytilley/status/7845349730008719378. Dr. Who won't even keep you safe.
https://twitter.com/Bartholo_mew1/status/7836426519334379529. Forget the Tweet, my name is Linnamon Roll Hamfan.
https://twitter.com/LinnamonRollHam/status/78243053635031449610. Avery's wall of no-shame.
https://twitter.com/aves_peterson/status/782296664912437248 Note: We love and fully accept all you #hamiltrash, we're theatre nerds after all!Are you #hamiltrash? Send us your tweets and we may just include them in the next round!
[post_title] => The Top 10 #hamiltrash Tweets Of The Week Because Why Not [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => top-10-hamiltrash-tweets-of-the-week-because-why-not [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-08 10:59:24 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-08 14:59:24 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4964 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [34] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3673 [post_author] => 12 [post_date] => 2016-10-07 09:26:32 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-07 13:26:32 [post_content] => After death and divorce, moving is rated the third most stressful thing a person could possibly do. As actors, we often feel the need to relocate to bigger cities with different opportunities that fit our strengths. Whether you dream of Broadway lights, getting a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star with your name written across it, or joining the ranks of top theatre actors in the Windy City, you’re going to need to know what to do once you get there.Here are some tips to get to wherever it is you’re going and how to get acclimated once you arrive.
1. Save Up
It’s obvious, yet true. Research the city of your dreams and determine how much the rent typically is, what the transportation costs are (metro card, gas money, etc.), bills, food, and so on, and calculate it out. At the very least, try to save three months worth of expenses to prepare yourself for unemployment while job searching and unexpected expenses- such as crashing your brand new car the moment you arrive in your dream city. (True story)
2. Reach Out to Alumni
If you just graduated from theatre school, chances are, wherever you’re going- past graduates are probably there already. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them and ask for advice. A quick well thought out email with straightforward questions is one way, messaging through social media is another, or an invitation to buy them a coffee for a quick 30-minute powwow.
3. Don’t Sign a Lease
Before you sign a lease and get stuck in the wrong neighborhood or with a bad roommate for an entire year- try temporary housing solutions. Couch surf if you have friends who will let you or sublet someone’s place for a few months until you figure out the city. The last thing you want is to realize too late that you live in the scariest neighborhood possible or the furthest from all the auditions or next door to a metal band that likes to practice at 2am.
4. Change Your Phone Number
Once you get there- just do it. Do it now! Before you start auditioning and spreading your résumé all over town.
5. Lock Down a Survival Job
Yes, there are tons of ways to make money and do theatre other than waiting tables- but starting up a photography business and an acting career at the same time may prove more challenging than necessary. You just need something to pay bills now while you’re figuring it all out. If you’re prepping to move in a year or so, get a job now at a corporate chain restaurant like Olive Garden- chances of being able to transfer to a store in the city of your dreams is high and you won’t have to pound the pavement looking for both acting and waiter work once you arrive.
6. Get Acquainted with Your New City
Once you arrive you may be chomping at the bit to audition- but first, learn the city. Get lost, ride the bus, metro or subway, look at a map, play with your GPS- take long walks. The quicker you figure out the city the quicker you’ll become acclimated. The last thing you want to do is get an audition and not know how to get there- wind up lost- and missing it altogether. Ask around and get a sense of what neighborhoods are safe and what neighborhoods are artist friendly.
7. Find a Community
Find your people! Whether it’s a sports bar where fans from your home state gather, joining a touch football team or a Karaoke competition league. Whatever it is you love to do- find like-minded people and connect. Being away from friends and family can make for some lonely days if you don’t find time to meet with your scrapbooking friends, your happy hour pals, or even you Pokémon GO community. Try sites like Meetup.com to find your new comrades.
8. Get a Sense of Audition Wardrobe
Do actors in this city commonly wear jeans and tee shirts or is it more of a slacks, skirts and button-up kind of town? Do some research so you know whether or not to leave your rehearsal skirt at home or if it’s time to invest in a more colorful wardrobe.
9. Lock Down a Good Vocal Coach
Figure out whom to go to before you even get there. You know you’re going to jump into auditions the first chance you get and you’re going to want to know who to go to for a run through of that new song you added to your repertoire.
10. Intern
If you want to get a glimpse into how the industry really works, intern for a casting director or agent or become a reader for auditions. This is a phenomenal way to gain key insights into the biz that could take you years to understand otherwise. You don’t have to do it forever- just get your toes wet- you’ll be amazed at what you learn and who you meet.
11. Get in Class
Just because you recently graduated with your B.F.A in acting doesn’t mean you’re done. Stay sharp and focused by taking a class- any class! It’s not only the best way to keep your craft alive, but what quicker way are you going to network and make friends than by an acting class. Just do it.
Moving to a new city can be nerve wrecking but it can also be the greatest adventure of your life. For every success, you’ll have a step back (like moving into a building that vibrates.) You will make mistakes- but you’re a performer, role with it like you would on stage when someone drops a line. Prepare yourself the best you can and then do as you would in improve and say, ‘Yes, and….’
Have you relocated to a new city to pursue an acting career? Share your tips and tricks below...
[post_title] => 11 Tips And Tricks For Actors Relocating To A New City [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => tips-and-tricks-for-actors-relocating-to-a-new-city [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-07 09:26:32 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-07 13:26:32 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=3673 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [35] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4845 [post_author] => 440 [post_date] => 2016-10-06 10:06:34 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-10-06 14:06:34 [post_content] => I’m not ashamed to admit that in my younger years, as soon as the calendar read October 1st, I was planning my Halloween costume. It was weeks of preparation choosing the right character... and then carefully crafting all of the pieces needed. It’s no secret that Theatre people love donning costumes and pretending to be someone else. Halloween was made for nerds like us! So what better time of year to showcase your Broadway love than All Hallows Eve? While many costumes are available to buy online, it can get expensive. Plus, half the fun is in putting the ensemble together yourself. Thrift stores are a great place to find items that you need or check out stores like Forever21, Asos or Zara if you have a little more money to spend. So whether you need a solo or group costume, here are some ideas for Broadway inspired Halloween costumes:Hamilton
How does an in school, dirt poor, son of a – nope, that’s all I’ve got. I’ll leave the rhymes to the genius Mr. Miranda. But if you are looking to embody one of his characters this Halloween, get out your military-style jacket (thrift stores are your asset here). Stone colored pants are a good start, with a white dress shirt and a vest. A scarf will help you to make an ascot for your collar and some tall boots will complete the look. A long jacket enhances the costume but isn’t completely necessary if you haven’t got one. Add some accessories like a large book, a feather (quill) and you’re ready to "rise up".
Bonus: Watch to get more Hamilton costume inspiration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y84Oor3tXqcLegally Blonde
Elle Woods reporting for duty! Break out anything pink in your wardrobe and your blonde wig. Of course, a pink dress works perfectly. But if you are feeling crafty, get yourself a white t-shirt, some pink paint and lettering stencils to make your own Harvard t-shirt to wear under a pink blazer with some skinny jeans. Don’t forget your accessories! Try some sunglasses, a couple of textbooks, and a purse with a stuffed toy Chihuahua in it.
Wicked
First things first, you will need your green face paint. A long black dress is ideal, but if you only have a short one, throw on some black or green tights. Styling your hair in Elphaba’s classic braid will ensure that your witch’s hat will fit. Not into the green face paint? Try green eyeshadow or lipstick instead and add green accessories like earrings or circular glasses. Top it off with the infamous broom and you are ready to defy gravity. For a different Elphaba, try a navy blue dress and beanie with braided hair and glasses to master her school look. For some DIY accessories, use brown paper and art supplies to make textbook covers for classes at Shiz University, like Sorcery. Even better, grab your squad and make it a group costume! Add in a Galinda, Fiyero or even Chistery the flying monkey.
Bonus: check out this Elphaba makeup video tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22qmqps4ZYcPhantom of the Opera
There are so many costumes in this show, the options are endless. But if you are going for the classics, the Phantom and Christine are both easy to do. For the Phantom, if you’ve got a black suit, that’s perfect. If not, black pants and a white dress shirt will work fine as well. Accessories can include a black cape, gloves, sheet music and a red rose. For the iconic mask, buying one is always an option or try making your own using white paper and paper mache paste (check out easy recipes on Pinterest or Google). If you are more of a Christine, a white nightgown with smoky eye make up and teased curly hair are an easy way to achieve her look. Carry around a red rose and some sheet music to accentuate your character even more.
Bonus: check out this Phantom Mask makeup video tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXV9Ok14vJYGrease
My love for this musical has been renewed since the NBC staged Grease Live! a few months back. This is another musical that is great for a group costume or a solo act. A Bad Sandy costume is easy to come by if you are up for a DIY version. If you are like me, you gave into the faux leather leggings trend a long time ago. If not, they are easy enough to find on sites like ASOS. You could also use a pair of regular black leggings or skinny jeans. Off the shoulder tops were also hugely popular this past summer so you may already have a black one. If not Zara, Forever21 and ASOS all have super affordable options. Or you can take a black tank top and pull the straps down past your shoulders. Now add a black belt around your waist, your highest heels (bonus if they are red) and some large hoop earrings. Black leather jackets are a nice cherry on top, but not totally necessary if you don’t have one. Sandy’s hair can be achieved using a curling iron or the old fashioned way of twisting and securing your wet hair to dry overnight, and then teasing the curls to create volume. Finish things off with some smoky eye makeup and bright red lipstick. Tell me about it, Stud. Or perhaps you are more of a Danny Zuko, we’ve got you covered there too. Black pants with tucked in white or black t-shirt and some black sneakers will help you look the part. Throw on a leather jacket if you’ve got one and slick that hair right back with some styling gel and Danny’s favorite comb. Feeling adventurous? Think about putting the T-bird logo on the back of your jacket.
Mary Poppins
This costume is so sweet it doesn’t need a spoonful of sugar. Grab a white button up blouse and use some red ribbon tied around your neck for the bowtie. Add a navy blue or black skirt and tights with black shoes or boots. Don't forget to accessorize by including a black brimmed hat with a red flower on it, an umbrella and a bottomless bag. Dance on the rooftops as Bert by donning a pair of black pants and a button up shirt and vest in white or grey. Don’t forget a red scarf around your neck, a newsboy cap, suspenders and a broom. Grey eyeshadow is perfect for smudging all over your face to look like soot. I will note that this costume also works if you would like to be a Newsie instead. Just trade out the broom for a newspaper and you’ve got a whole other musical.
Bonus: Check out this DIY Mary Poppins costume (for under $20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMr_EHrKPW0Got an idea for an amazing Broadway Halloween costume? Let us know in the comments below…
[post_title] => 6 Broadway-Inspired Halloween Costumes For The Ultimate Theatre Nerd [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => broadway-inspired-halloween-costumes [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-10-06 10:06:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-10-06 14:06:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=4845 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 36 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5415 [post_author] => 12 [post_date] => 2016-11-16 10:36:06 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-11-16 14:36:06 [post_content] => Every thespian has a meltdown now and again — after all, it’s called drama, isn’t it? Here is a list of freakout moments that can get to even the coolest of cucumbers once in awhile:1. Where’s My Prop?!?!
You’re about to make your entrance, and suddenly, you can’t find that all-important phone you need to answer during your scene or some other inanimate object that’s essential to you not looking like a total fool in the next 30 seconds. And no, making a fake phone with your fingers is not going to cut it.
2. Shuuuuushhhhh!
There’s nothing quite like that moment when all your backstage hijinks can be heard by the audience and the fourth wall has definitely, definitely been broken.
3. But, I Have Rehearsal...
Whether you have to attend your cousin’s wedding, jury duty or your high school graduation, life happens — and so does rehearsal. You’d sooner miss your own prom than miss rehearsal, so how do you choose?
4. I Lost My Voice
You’re two days away from opening night and your voice suddenly sounds less like a soaring soprano and more like … well, nothing at all. Yep, it’s okay to freak out.
5. Who Took My Cold Cream?
Actors tend to have special attachments to their makeup boxes and the contents inside, so when they’re messed with, it sparks a fury no one ever thought a missing eye pencil could cause. No words can describe your feelings when you can’t find your cold cream after a show.
6. That’s My Song!
It’s a terrifying moment at any audition when someone sings the same 16 bars you’re about to sing. You know it’s bound to happen sometimes, but it’s still a total bummer when it happens to you.
7. How Many Lines?
Whether you have to memorize too many lines in a small amount of time or have too few lines than you thought you’d have, line counting always brings out the anxiety in any actor.
8. I Can’t Find My Other Tap Shoe!
A missing wardrobe piece is just as bad as a missing prop — or worse, depending on what it is. Tap dancing with one shoe is pretty bad, but missing your pants might be just a teensy bit worse.
9. The Cast List Freakout
The dreaded cast list posting is sure to cause a fuss one way or another. Whether your director is taking too long to post it or your name isn’t where you thought it would be on the list, you’re gonna need an antacid and a yoga class to get your nerves untangled after it goes up.
10. My Makeup Mirror Space, Your Makeup Mirror Space
Dressing room real estate is a big deal. As much as you love your castmates, you don’t love it so much when their wig head and flat iron end up in your prep area.
11. The Dropped Line
You’re onstage, it’s your cue and your mind is totally blank — except for the part that’s freaking out wondering whether it would be better to make a jump for it into the orchestra pit.
12. The Stepped-Upon Line
No actor likes it when his or her lines are stepped on. You may accept that this happens sometimes, but when it becomes a chronic problem, you tend to go just a little crazy.
13. The Near-Impossible Quick Change
It’s cool, you just have to change out of your costume completely and switch your hairstyle and makeup in 20 seconds. No need to freak out; it’s plenty of time. Oh, don’t forget you have to run through the lobby first to enter from the opposite side of the stage. Totally cool.
14. Quiet in the Wings!
You’re trying to quiet your mind and center yourself before your big, dramatic entrance, and a fellow thespian won’t stop whisper-talking your ear off. Hey, zip it!
15. How Many Pirouettes?
Your choreographer expects you to be the next Baryshnikov in your “Guys and Dolls” number; meanwhile, you’re still trying to master the plié.
16. Crickets
Your laugh lines didn’t get any laughs, so you blame the acoustics and then go home to cry into your pillow.
What are some of the top moments that make you and your fellow thespians go totally batty? Let us know in the comments below...
[post_title] => 16 Perfectly Good Reasons Theatre Kids Occasionally Freak Out [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 16-perfectly-good-reasons-theatre-kids-occasionally-freak-out [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2017-07-11 18:18:44 [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-07-11 22:18:44 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://theatrenerds.com/?p=5415 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 733 [max_num_pages] => 21 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => 1 [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => [is_tag] => [is_tax] => 1 [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => 1 [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 5b71b9fe5dfdb2631cd77fc1860ad997 [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => 1 [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) [query_cache_key:WP_Query:private] => wp_query:df3b52e26e61380e8fce58153728ee90:0.57364200 17778841530.09495800 1777884154 )Latest stories
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