This past weekend marked the 23rd Abbie Hoffman Festival at Mary Archie Theatre Co.
I had the opportunity to perform at this festival for the first time since coming to Chicago six years ago.
I was e-mailed by a friend of a friend to be a part of the show American Agency by Alexandra Bassett and I had nothing going on at the time so I decided to take the opportunity.
At first I just though it would be a fun experience and allow me to act and keep fresh with no long term shows in the immediate future.
In the end it became much more than just a time filler. First and foremost I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful young director Josh Sobel who I really think is going to do wonderful things in Chicago and who is directing a new show with The Fine Print Theater Co. this fall. He had such a great vision for the play and was extremely dedicated to making sure the story was told in its entirety even with a short and varied rehearsal process.
It was an absolute joy to work with him and I cannot thank him enough for helping to make the experience what it was.
I also had the opportunity to work in a fun and safe environment with wonderful cast mates who allowed me to make choices for my character that, in a quick rehearsal period, sometimes get overlooked. I found myself really living in the world of the play and felt comfortable making choices that personified my character in a very real way.
Overall what was to be a cool opportunity to meet new people and do some acting ended up teaching me things and broadening my outlook of the plays I'm working on and the characters that live within them.
Of the festival itself, I will say that I am glad opportunities like this exist in Chicago. It is a constant reminder of how much this city loves theater and why this city of actors is a great place to live.
8.22.2011
8.15.2011
YIPPIE YIPPIE!
Hello and welcome.
Come and celebrate with Mary Archie and the gang at their annual Abbie Hoffman festival.
I will be performing in a short play called American Agency by Alexandra Bassett and directed by Josh Sobel.
Featuring:
Nick Roesler
Alex Huntsberger
Aaryn Kopp
Kristen Johnson
Todd Garcia
American Agency will be performed on Saturday the 20th at 11am and Sunday the 21st at 7:17pm.
Four muses work hard to inspire a thoroughly uninspired nation. Fighting apathy and a general disconnection from the communal good, the muses must conduit something to inspire woman in the age bracket of 20-35 years old.
Come out and support local Chicago Theater as well as me and my friends.
Come and celebrate with Mary Archie and the gang at their annual Abbie Hoffman festival.
I will be performing in a short play called American Agency by Alexandra Bassett and directed by Josh Sobel.
Featuring:
Nick Roesler
Alex Huntsberger
Aaryn Kopp
Kristen Johnson
Todd Garcia
American Agency will be performed on Saturday the 20th at 11am and Sunday the 21st at 7:17pm.
Four muses work hard to inspire a thoroughly uninspired nation. Fighting apathy and a general disconnection from the communal good, the muses must conduit something to inspire woman in the age bracket of 20-35 years old.
Come out and support local Chicago Theater as well as me and my friends.
5.23.2011
Another Closing Another Show
Today marks the beginning of the first week in the past five months that I will not have a show to rehearse/perform/prep for, and actually after the past five months I am OK with that.
Normally at this time I'd be freaking out, "when will I ever get cast again", but thankfully this time those thoughts have stayed away. (Ok, not completely away but much quieter than normal). It could be that I'm growing up and becoming more mature and more comfortable with this business and the ebb and flow of the tide of shows. It also could be the fact that working a full time job and doing two consecutive shows with no break in Berwyn is exhausting. I like to think it's a nice combination of both.
I do know that I am worried, worried about being left out, being left behind, or worse...being forgotten. The truth is that any and all of those things are possible depending on how the time between shows is handled.
It's not to say that breaks from shows aren't needed or valuable, I am definitely in need of some time off and I'll be getting it. A summer vacation this June takes me out of the running for a few shows/classes and so the next prospect is a few months off if not more.
This is a bit scary, fear of falling out of practice is most prominent in my mind as possible consequences of a long break from performing. But there are ways around that. Reading and writing are of course two of the most common, the best way to keep up creative insight is to keep your mind working. Watching TV and playing video games won't help when you have to get back into the swing of things.
But probably the most interesting thing a good friend advised me to do when dealing with a "dry spell" is to simply experience life. Seems simple enough, but the reality of the situation is that as an actor it's easy to base your life around your shows, and spend the time in between "waiting" rather than "living".
Gathering stories and life experiences allows you to not only pass the time but to grow as a performer. The more you've experienced the more you'll be able to express on stage or in your art or your writing.
So for the time being I will write, and read, and take classes when I can but most importantly I plan to live.
Normally at this time I'd be freaking out, "when will I ever get cast again", but thankfully this time those thoughts have stayed away. (Ok, not completely away but much quieter than normal). It could be that I'm growing up and becoming more mature and more comfortable with this business and the ebb and flow of the tide of shows. It also could be the fact that working a full time job and doing two consecutive shows with no break in Berwyn is exhausting. I like to think it's a nice combination of both.
I do know that I am worried, worried about being left out, being left behind, or worse...being forgotten. The truth is that any and all of those things are possible depending on how the time between shows is handled.
It's not to say that breaks from shows aren't needed or valuable, I am definitely in need of some time off and I'll be getting it. A summer vacation this June takes me out of the running for a few shows/classes and so the next prospect is a few months off if not more.
This is a bit scary, fear of falling out of practice is most prominent in my mind as possible consequences of a long break from performing. But there are ways around that. Reading and writing are of course two of the most common, the best way to keep up creative insight is to keep your mind working. Watching TV and playing video games won't help when you have to get back into the swing of things.
But probably the most interesting thing a good friend advised me to do when dealing with a "dry spell" is to simply experience life. Seems simple enough, but the reality of the situation is that as an actor it's easy to base your life around your shows, and spend the time in between "waiting" rather than "living".
Gathering stories and life experiences allows you to not only pass the time but to grow as a performer. The more you've experienced the more you'll be able to express on stage or in your art or your writing.
So for the time being I will write, and read, and take classes when I can but most importantly I plan to live.
4.27.2011
Our Dad is in Atlantis Review - Time Out Chicago
"Garcia does masterful work as the older brother, occasionally registering his bleak situation with a stoic stare like something out of a De Sica film."
- John Beer
Read the full review here.
photo credit: Anthony Aicardi
- John Beer
Read the full review here.
3.04.2011
Dental Society Review - The Chicago Reader
"Acted by a tight six-member ensemble, the 85-minute show grabs on and doesn't let go..."
- Jack Helbig
Read the full review here.
photo credit: Anthony Aicardi
- Jack Helbig
Read the full review here.
Let me see those Molars.
OPENING NIGHT.
Well not really...that was last week Saturday. My apologies for the late post.
After three weeks of rehearsal "Dental Society Midwinter Meeting" opened at 16th Street Theater. Because this is a remount and the original production was only about 6 months ago there is little press coverage of the show.
But so far the reader has seen the show and really enjoyed it. I'll post their review later today.
It's amazing for me to think about the last month from the beginning of the rehearsal process to the opening night performance. Normally there will be three weeks of rehearsal, maybe four, and one week of tech before dress rehearsal and previews.
Our show had two weeks of rehearsals, one day of tech, two "dress" rehearsals and two previews before opening. I can honestly say that this was the shortest/best/most interesting rehearsal process I've had the pleasure of being a part of.
My biggest issue is making the choices necessary for a great performance quickly and without fear. When you have time to make those decisions it's easy to rest on your laurels and let things come as the may. This rehearsal process was different, it was faster paced and required myself and the other actors to make bolder choices to see where we could take the scenes.
This rehearsal process, as all of them have turned out to be, has been an incredible learning experience for me. The actors that I've had the privilege to work with, the director, playwright, and technical team have made this a truly great experience.
The only hiccup was the drunk audience member on opening night, our 8pm performance, who had to be removed from the theater by the policy for being loud and obnoxious...oh well. That is to be expected. Glad we got it done with early.
Well not really...that was last week Saturday. My apologies for the late post.
After three weeks of rehearsal "Dental Society Midwinter Meeting" opened at 16th Street Theater. Because this is a remount and the original production was only about 6 months ago there is little press coverage of the show.
But so far the reader has seen the show and really enjoyed it. I'll post their review later today.
It's amazing for me to think about the last month from the beginning of the rehearsal process to the opening night performance. Normally there will be three weeks of rehearsal, maybe four, and one week of tech before dress rehearsal and previews.
Our show had two weeks of rehearsals, one day of tech, two "dress" rehearsals and two previews before opening. I can honestly say that this was the shortest/best/most interesting rehearsal process I've had the pleasure of being a part of.
My biggest issue is making the choices necessary for a great performance quickly and without fear. When you have time to make those decisions it's easy to rest on your laurels and let things come as the may. This rehearsal process was different, it was faster paced and required myself and the other actors to make bolder choices to see where we could take the scenes.
This rehearsal process, as all of them have turned out to be, has been an incredible learning experience for me. The actors that I've had the privilege to work with, the director, playwright, and technical team have made this a truly great experience.
The only hiccup was the drunk audience member on opening night, our 8pm performance, who had to be removed from the theater by the policy for being loud and obnoxious...oh well. That is to be expected. Glad we got it done with early.
2.09.2011
My White Coat and Gloves
I have officially started rehearsals for Dental Society Midwinter Meeting by Laura Jacqmin and directed by Megan Shuchman.
First rehearsal was on Saturday. A quick read through and some scene work. This is my first time doing a show with such a short rehearsal process. It really is quite a different experience.
The goal was to come as "off book" as possible the first day, which I must say everyone did really well. The primary challenge will be to get everything blocked and solidified, create an outline if you will, and after that we can come back to fill each scene in with the necessary color. This is a bit of a departure from how I normally work and although it will be a challenge I am glad I am getting this opportunity. The cast and director and playwright have made this a really great experience so far.
I urge everyone to come see this show. I think it's funny and smart and wonderfully poignant.
For ticket information visit the 16th Street Theater website at:
http://www.16thstreettheater.org/seasonfour/DentalSociety.html
First rehearsal was on Saturday. A quick read through and some scene work. This is my first time doing a show with such a short rehearsal process. It really is quite a different experience.
The goal was to come as "off book" as possible the first day, which I must say everyone did really well. The primary challenge will be to get everything blocked and solidified, create an outline if you will, and after that we can come back to fill each scene in with the necessary color. This is a bit of a departure from how I normally work and although it will be a challenge I am glad I am getting this opportunity. The cast and director and playwright have made this a really great experience so far.
I urge everyone to come see this show. I think it's funny and smart and wonderfully poignant.
For ticket information visit the 16th Street Theater website at:
http://www.16thstreettheater.org/seasonfour/DentalSociety.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)