Building the House!

I would give all the disclaimers about being completely un-tech-savvy and not knowing editing from a hole in the ground, but it would be a waste of time (wait a sec, did she just work that disclaimer in there afterall?).

Below is my AWESOME video footage and photo montage of the house and my schnoozies.

My life rules.

Show # 12

Today was SO MUCH better than yesterday that it's hard to believe they took place in the same week, let alone back to back.

We met at the revoltingly early hour of 6.30 this morning, made the drive up to the Bronx and loaded in for a 10 am performance. We had an INCREDIBLE crew of guys helping us with load-in and build. I actually have video footage of them building the house together with Ben and me, but I can't quite figure out how to upload it yet (yeah, I'm pretty low-tech).

Anyway - we played to a very well-behaved audience who eventually understood that they not only had the option of responding vocally, but that it was encouraged. I'm thinking that the pre-show speech about turning phones, etc. off and being respectful is going to have to be revised enough to clue in those who don't go to the theatre ever to the fact that they can and should be responsive. We'll see... After a sweet strike and load-out, we had surprise cupcakes for Emileena, whose birthday it was today.

For now - I'm back in Bushwick, watching Flight of the Conchords, digesting a quesadilla from the awesome little Mexican place across the way and preparing to go to bed early. Like, 9 o'clock early. It was nice to be able to sleep up near the garage last night and sleep in until 45 minutes before van call, but it's also nice to sleep somewhere more familiar/comfortable and just deal with having to get up earlier than usual in the morning.

These are the thrills of touring and commuting.

Shows 9, 10 & 11

These last two days could not have been more different from one another(in every respect possible) if they had tried.

To wit:
Monday was a travel day - we drove to New London, CT (which is not far), arrived with ample time to spare and spent the evening tooling around in the mall, eating at a Chili's and watching American Beauty in the hotel room. Then, on Tuesday, we had two shows at the Garde Art Centre. It was beautiful. I have a few pictures (though none that do it justice), but I can't post them until I'm at my own computer again.
We loaded in and finished building in record time, did two wonderful, smooth shows, had an excellent lunch at an Indian restaurant, and then loaded out (again, in record time, thanks to the wonderful IATSE crew) to drive back to Manhattan.
The whole thing was smooth, easy and peaceful. We played to two very enthusiastic houses and met some of the kids after the second show, who absolutely loved the various characters.

Then came today.

First off, today's show was considered "local", to the extent that we're not staying in hotels but meeting in Manhattan at very early hours and ending the day back in Manhattan (albeit at very late hours).
After not nearly enough sleep, we were called at 7 am at the garage, which meant waking up at 5 to get there on time from Bushwick. The space we were in was not large enough to accommodate the set, so we decided to strike the house (which is, yes, our sets biggest feature). This, in turn, meant we had to re-stage vast portions of the show and figure out all new scene-changes, exits and entrances. For reasons that do not bear repeating, I had to miss the first scene of the show, but ultimately we worked everything out. It was, without a doubt, the wonkiest performance we have yet given, but the children LOVED it (I mean LOVED. in CAPITOLS. they were louder than any audience we've had so far). Furthermore, if we can get through today as in-one-piece as we ultimately did, we can do anything. I mean that.
If you want a silver-lining way of looking at it, today was a test of our ingenuity and quick-wittedness, but we passed. Also, not building the house cuts down build and strike by about half the time, so no complaints there.
Anyway, we are "home", with another shockingly early call tomorrow morning. The good news is that tonight, I'm sleeping on the Upper West Side (thank you, Devin) so the commute tomorrow is literally two blocks, as opposed to four trains.
I'm going to take vitamins and drink a beer.
Love,

Shows # 7 & 8

Why, what on earth could that set behind Leigh be? Oh, it's the set they expected us to perform around/in front of, rather than clearing off the stage. Yes, you read that right. We went to this community college to perform two sold-out performances and they didn't even clear the stage for us. But we weren't frustrated! We were delighted and challenged! Yes!

Actually, I make it sound like a much bigger deal than it was. At this point, we've probably run the gamit (sp?) of sizes that we will encounter; we've encountered everything from too big to too small to just right (goldilocks, anyone) and this space, ultimately, was fine. We had to push the other production's set back into the wings and get a little creative with our downstage space, but it worked out ok.

Plus, we found swords in the dressing room:


There are about twelve more variations of this photograph, but really, who needs to see them all.


What else, what else. Oh! So, we did two shows back to back (as is our wont), struck and loaded out our set and then drove off into the sunset looking for a place - any place, really - where we could get ourselves some dinner.
So we pulled into a promising looking Mexican restaurant, only to be turned away for not having reservations. So, with tears in our eyes, we set off into the still-setting sun and continued our quest for dinner and found a TGI Friday's. Not the best, but it will do when you're starved and tired. We arrived, parked the vans (an arduous activity, let me assure you) and marched in only to be told there was a 90 minute wait. So, once again, with tears in our eyes we drove off into the dusk (yes, the sun had set by now) and found ourselves a Panera. I shouldn't complain, Panera has decent food. Plus we had enough extra time after eating to go peruse the selection at Barnes & Noble across the way. That being said, I think I left the book I bought in the van, where it does me no good whatsoever on this fine day off.

In other news, I sort of pulled something in my lower back during build for these two shows, which made some of the bending over/lifting and myriad other physical activities somewhat more difficult than usual, but I think by tomorrow everything will be fine again.

Speaking of tomorrow, we have a 10.45 am van call (ah, how civilised) and the ensuing drive to New London, CT, where we have two performances on Tuesday.



On an unrelated note, at the end of our previous day off (last Friday), we took an unexpected detour through Philly (don't ask). This is what Philly looks like at night, when it's raining and your camera has no flash:

SNOW DAY

as i write this, i am sitting in our less-than-glorious motel 6 room, having eaten at the classiest of restaurants, Denny's, and having been informed that ALL THREE performances for today have been canceled.
Basically, at 5.45 this morning, the alarm went off. Ethan, one of my roommates, had already headed out to eat a quick breakfast before our 6.30 am call when we got a call from our beautiful stage manager, informing us that the 10 am show had been canceled. Approximately forty-five minutes later, the phone rang again to tell us that the noon show was also cut.
Then, approximately ten minutes ago, we were informed of our final cancellation - tonight's 7.30.

• for the record - in Chicago, this amount of snow is laughable

As much as it is too bad that we don't get to perform at this performing arts centre (of which i cannot remember the name) the rest we're getting is worth it. Plus, now we might do some exploring, maybe head into Philly, see a movie, or (oh wonder of wonders) go to a Target!

The funny thing (at least to me) is that in Chicago, today would never have been classified a 'snow day'. There are maybe 4 inches of snow on the ground and the roads are pretty well salted and sanded. I guess the people of Pennsylvania have a lower threshold for winter weather. Regardless, no one in our cast is complaining. Honestly, the timing could not have been better; several of us aren't feel our most well and this day of sleep and renewal is just what the doctor ordered. It also means tomorrow's performances will be that much better!

That's it for now. I'll let you know if we do anything truly spectacular with our time off.

Show # 6

Oh wow.

Today was our first performance in a performing arts centre (as opposed to a cafetorium) and that made all the difference.

First off, we had an incredible crew helping us with loads in and out (which cut both of those times in half, nearly).  Secondly, we must have been playing to approximately five or six hundred, which, i know, is small potatoes in comparison to some houses, but to us it was a huge step up from the 100 or so in the public library =)

A major difference was playing out to a large house and a balcony, as opposed to down to children on the floor.  We also (much to our gain) had enough floor-space to actually accomplish all of the blocking and set-changes that are supposed to take place.

We had a 6.45 van call, packed in, drove to our venue and were in and out by 12.40.  Stopped for lunch at a Bennigan's (a first, for me... also, not the greatest, but edible) and then finished the trek to Essington, PA.  I'm rooming with the boys tonight, and the three of us were the only ones who wanted dinner.

We walked into some smoky "Irish Pub" that was really just the local townie pub and, after surveying the landscape, promptly walked back out.  We ended up getting pub-grub and beers at a sports bar called Coaches - a good way to unwind.  As is watching the Democratic debate (which is on TV as I write this).

We're all pretty rundown at this point, but I feel like as long as we're taking our vitamins, eating a lot and getting enough sleep, we should be able to stay healthy and enjoy ourselves during this time.  Furthermore, the more we do this, the better we get.  I can definitely tell that I'm already stronger than I was during rehearsals; case in point, I'm lifting flats and set-pieces during build and strike that I couldn't lift by myself before.  

Anyway - I'm writing this from Ethan's computer, on account of we only had one internet access code (courtesy of the less-than-friendly lady at the front desk of our motel) and I feel like it's time to give it back to him.

Tomorrow morning, our call is 6.30 am.  We were scheduled for three performances tomorrow, but just minutes got word that "one or more" may have been cancelled.  I must admit, I'm not bummed out by that news.  Naptime!  

Plus, we're like a half hour from Philly (where I've never been) and if we don't have shows, I'm definitely rolling in to explore a bit.

I'll keep you posted.

Shows # 4 & 5

As promised, a picture of Emileena:

Next time, I'll actually get her face in here.

Today, we convened at 7.15 am on the Upper West Side, to discover that the partition separating the storage section from the passenger section of the passenger van had been removed, thus making it possible for us to inflate an air mattress in the back and take turns nesting.
This is what nesting looks like:

(Ben & Michelle)

Today was our first performance in a non-school venue. We drove up to the library in Great Neck, NY and performed in perhaps the smallest venue we have yet come across. When Leigh stood on tip-toe, she could nearly reach the bottom of a projector hanging from the (extremely) low ceiling. The thing is, we don't really mind if the venue is short (read: low ceilings) because then we don't have to build the roof on the house. However, this venue was not only short, but also skinny (read: nowhere near enough floor space). The good thing is that even after five days away, we were able to adjust accordingly, run through the things that needed to be fixed, spacing-wise, and correct them after the first show.

Oh yeah, that's the other thing, we did two shows back to back.

The first one was fine - we had high energy and I think everyone was ready to be back in the swing of things after all of our time off. The second one was more difficult, just because we hadn't had no time between shows yet. Plus, we knew that load-out and the ensuing road-trip to Pennsylvania (whence I write this) were imminent upon the ending of the second show. I think these things made it slightly more difficult for us to rise to the necessary amount of energy. The thing is, and wow I'm starting to sound like a broken record, the kids got us there.
You can't do this show for yourself - you HAVE to be doing it for them and giving every single beat, breath and box-step away. The response from the adult audience members was also incredibly friendly; nothing builds morale quite like praise =)

Anyway, I sign off in the knowledge that for the next seven hours I will sleep like a rock, before waking up in time for our 6.45 van call and drive to our venue for performance # 6.
Crazy, right? goodnight, folks.

the Schnoozies!

• The Citizens of East Bunny Hop
  

I realise I have been remiss in one rather important detail.
Well, really, six rather important details.
The people I'm touring with. I don't have a picture of Emileena (our stage manager yet), but in the photo above, from left to right, they are:

-Ethan, our Midwestern, heart-of-gold resident skyscraper. Yes, at just under six feet, Ethan is our tallest and most male Bunny Scout.
-Michelle, a sassy, 5' even Texan girl, who plays Ruby
-Ester, who has the chillest, most dead-pan sense of humor i have ever yet encountered
(-me)
-Ben, a laid-back hippy from Santa Fe, who works the hardest in the entire show (i mean, he has nearly ten words to say!)
-Leigh, who gives off definite house-mom vibes, always has a cough drop or a Kleenex and a positive attitude. Plus, she drives fast. So I like her.

As soon as I have a picture of Emileena, I will post it. But suffice it to say that Emileena is our stage manager - the girl with the directions, the sound board and the batteries for our walkie-talkies.

The way we split up when travel is two in the cargo van, the remaining five in the 'passenger van', which is really just a cargo van with a three-seater bench in the back of the cab, and a HUGE storage space for our suitcases. As of right now, we're sort of hoping for an alternate passenger van, but if it doesn't work out, we can always build ourselves a fort back there. You know, mattress, chili lights, some tie-dye hangings. Classy plans, we make.

Anyway, tomorrow (tuesday)is our last day off for a while. On Wednesday, we hit the road again in what promises to be a marathon day, with two shows in upstate NY and then the drive to Wilkes Barre, PA.

I can't wait 'till we get to warmer states, and the coats become superfluous.

Lobster Fest '08

Even though this wasn't a performance and therefore, technically, not what I was planning on covering while I write this blog, it was too cool to skip over.

We're still on our days off - we don't perform again until Wednesday - and on Friday, one of the castmates said "hey, we do this thing called Lobster Fest. You should come, it's tomorrow."

I went.

We headed to Mehopac Falls (sp?) and ate more crab legs, muscles, clams and lobster than I thought I could possible digest, had one of the best nights I've had in a long time and only recently returned to Brooklyn, where I'm sleeping these days.


We ate well
We drank well
We smoked well
We slept well

This is short, because it's not about the show. I guess I just wanted to say that even when you move somewhere brand new, are playing the 'homeless' game and don't really know what the future holds, it's still possible to meet some of the greatest people you ever will and make some of the best memories you can ever hope to look back on.

Here's to Lobster Fest '09.
cheers, loves.

Show # 3

Today was arguably the best show so far; the kids were RIDICULOUSLY responsive.
-When Ruby was looking for Max, "Ruby, he's behind the house!"
-When the citizens of East Bunny Hop were examining a mudpie, "Ewww!"
-When Grandma pulled out the tiara, "I have one of those at my dad's house!"
-When the Blue Tarantula came out during naptime, "Don't be scared."

It's incredible how engaged and active these kids are. We thrive on it, we eat it up. Except, of course, when it stops us in our tracks because we can't hear our cues or our own voices over "there's a spider on your head!" (in reference to the mics that were visible to the kids in the front row) or because they are screaming at the froggie poking out of Max's back pocket.

Still, these responses are the reason we're doing this. It makes the inevitable logistical mess-ups better.
And to our credit, we are adjusting the things we can. We're already infinitely better at loading the set in and out.
Yesterday went something like this:
6.30 am - Van Call
7.30 am - Load in the set, build, mic check, spike tape, costume and prop setting
We were ready for half-hour at 9.30 am, but the show didn't go on until 10.30, so we had extra time before the show to ensure that everything was properly set and to, well, wake up. No matter how you look at it, 10.30 is early to belt out a million high C's.
We ran the show to a wonderful audience and then, for the first time, actually HAD the time to take lunch before striking and load-out. Which made the rest of the day more bearable.
We loaded out and were on the road by 2.30 pm, back to NY from Maryland.
The snags we hit on the road home were missing the Delaware Memorial Bridge (thus adding a large amount of time on to the drive home), tiring out our drivers and then, ultimately, skipping the dinner break in the interest of getting home before midnight.

Nevermind that home right now, for me at least, is on whoever's couch I can crash on.
The problem with this local leg of the tour is that I'm momentarily addressless - it's not scary, but it's an inconvenience when you're trying to give someone an address to mail you something. Basic, plain logistics like that are more difficult to manage when you don't know your own zip code. The good news is that I have a lot of friends whose couches I can sleep on, and we actually hit the road soon, for an extended period of time. But more about that when it actually comes up.

For now, I'll sign off by saying the show is going well, it can only continue to get better, and if you want postcards, send me your address =)

Show # 2

• Oh, that thing? Yeah, completely disassembles and fits in the back of the van.
  

Well, to put a positive spin on today, it was a learning experience.
We learned, for example, that we need a minimum of two and half hours to load in. We also learned that we need to be able to eyeball our spikes. And that we need a signal to communicate that the monitor is giving feedback. And that it takes at LEAST an hour to load out, but preferably an hour and a half. We also figured out that driving in the snow in these giant truck/van things is less than awesome.

How we learned these things is pretty obvious. Basically, we didn't have enough time to load in, worked 25 minutes into half-hour, had sound problems, spacing issues and
NO WINGS during the show and got correspondingly frazzled. The thing is, regardless of these things, it's still satisfying to be doing this. Those kids don't care, which almost makes it easy to think "ok, then we can cut a few corners here and there. So what if the spikes are off or the sound is cutting in and out." Except that's not ok - at the end of the day, if we really believe in what we are doing, we want to give these children the best possible experience. Not something that just makes the grade, but something that elevates it.

That being said, we're already improving the van pack. And we put the roof on the house (our set) up today, thereby bringing up the size of the house to a grand total of ca. 14 ft? 15 ft? I don't know, it's pretty high for a piece out of the back of a van. We also ate somewhere with SIGNIFICANTLY better food today (by which I mean, at least there was no hair in the fries. yesterday's lunch stop was PITIFUL and DISGUSTING. with capitol letters.) and followed our directions a little bit better. (how many actors does it take to read a map...)

It helps that we all get along, as a group, fairly cohesively. It would be a long four months if we didn't. It doesn't bear thinking about.

We are going to have to sit down as a group and figure out a rotation for drivers, because I can't just keep arbitrarily stepping up to drive all the time. I don't mind it, but I don't want to be one of the only three who do it. All seven of us should be driving. It'll get figured out, I have no doubt.
Anyway - all I am listening to these days is the Alison Krauss/Robert Plante collaboration and it rocks. I'm looking forward to zenning out to it in the car tomorrow. Tomorrow is just a travel day. We're driving to Maryland, spending the night and then performing on Thursday morning. Consequently, I may not check in until then.
Goodnight. I'll let you know how the drive goes.

Show # 1

• "Max! We're going to put on a show for Grandma!"

Only we already put the show on this morning, at a charter school in Jersey.
This is the first of a series of small notes/observations/thoughts about every (no really, every) performance we do. I want to be able to look back at show #76 (when that time comes) and remember that day exactly.
We've had two weeks of rehearsal, totaling in 12 days and we've the run the show straight-through a total of six times before today. Most of us had never met before rehearsals began and, in my case, had just moved here a few days before. It's been sort of whirl-windy, probably will continue to be.
Hopefully you'll find it interesting. If not, go read something better =)


Today was our first performance in front of the kids. Those three minutes before the show started, when the children out front were literally screaming for 'Max and Ruby!', I remembered why i do this. Why this matters so much to me. Ruby asked me if I was crying and I said, no, I was just happier in that moment than I had been in a long time. I'll go into it at greater length later, but suffice it to say that this, right here, is what I have wanted to be doing for some time and now I get to actually do it. I get to perform for children and bring them something that opens up their windows a little, so to speak.


Anyway - technically, this performance was far from flawless. People were fairly high-strung prior to the show beginning and there were some sharper exchanges back-stage before the children actually came in. In the end, though, we're going to get it right. We learned things from our load-in today (and load-out, too, but that's another story) and will be better at it in the future. There were technical elements that went awry, the occasional paraphrased line or missed cue, but it was for the kids. Consequently, it was wonderful.


Tomorrow morning we have another 6 a.m. van call and a performance in Wantagh. I hope I sleep better tonight than I did last night.
See you tomorrow,