Private Production Meeting

We Don't Have Evil (Dead) Motives

2008-09-07T22:33:00.000-07:00

Let's move onto the questions I received about MAINSTAGES...

Well, with my casting record, I can't say I know that much (not bitter)

I'll start with a couplet recapping of all of last year's shows:

Marisol:

"We witnessed the end of the world as we know it,/

If you have a fetus, be sure to glow it."

Boys from Syracuse

"Singing and dancing to Rogers (spell check much, TI?) and Hart,/

Those funny moustaches were my favorite part"

Thrush

"Boys dressed as zombies and girls kissing girls,/

'People store razors in their mouths in that world.'"

Spunk

"If racial confusion is what you are thirstin'/

come to Northwestern for Zora Neale Hurston"

Charlotte's Web

"Pigs made of wire and trash-stealing rats,/

Let's hope its a predecessor to a Shanley CATS!"

The Bacchae

"Be sure to bring a vaccuum and broom,/

If you go anywhere near the ladies' dressing room."

On the Verge

"Time traveling women and lots of pratt falls,/

That show about women had a lot of balls."

If your looking for the year before, think:

Cockney and Drag queens, Shakespeare and Schwartz,

Orphans and Flappers and women in shorts.

Further back?

Dorothy's raped and Joan is burned,

Dragons are reluctant, and barfly's worlds are turned.

NOW, back to the future:

The two shows coming up in a fall have already been cast (famously without a pref system).

What can I share about the fall?

Look for the cleverly named S****** T****, the annual fall musical, brought to you by the grad student found resembling a mix between an adorable lumberjack and a cute leprechaun. My sources tell me that this cast has already been working hard to learn their music. With a director that filled a theater to capacity despite a three hour running time on Dillo Day, a cast list that would merit an appearance from Sondheim (If only he hadn't pulled out... too bad), and a hush hush advertising agreement disabling off-campus advertising, the first show of the year is certain to be a bloody-good success.

Later in the quarter is INDIANS, a little known play with no intermission (isn't that part of theatre?)). Lead by the two muggiest of muggers, the cast Meeowmbers are looking a little shaggy growing their hairs out. Get ready for thick accents, thick make-up, and thick ticket sales.

The Winter auditions are quick to start after school starts, so here's a little inside information on the next two Mainstages:

MT Faculty Amanda Denert is returning to the Mainstage for the first time since 2006's romp with drag queens ASPHALT BEACH. Her students love her, her casts love her, and everyone whose gone through the Sophomore Movement quarter and can lie about how good their circus skills are on their resume love her because her mounting of J.M. Barrie's PETER PAN (the play, not the musical) will feature circus elements. Practice those splits, the juries still out on whether Peter will be male or female.

Don't forget Sins of Surjuano! Henry Godinez's next (and continual) Latino themed play... to follow after marisol's glowing success. The artistic director of TI is sure to put on a show!

Chair of the theater department Rives Collins, is directing the children's tour, a musical called HOW CAN YOU RUN WITH A SHELL ON YOUR BACK. Whip out your purple t-shirts and practice your alma mater because the show was penned by recent NU graduates Mahler and Schmuckler. If you want to know what kind of songs to sing for the audition, you can catch both current and former NU students "charm"ing audiences at Monday-Night-New-Voices downtown.

(Speaking of Downtown, I would like to wish good luck to former Master of Ceremonies bumping and grinding 1950's style this quarter at the Marriot Lincolnshire. Also don't "judge" this NU Junior who's missing the first week of SWEENEY rehearsals to finish a successful run as an emergency put-in in a downtown musical you probably already saw last fall in Cahn. Finally, one former classical composer (think after bach, but before beethoven) will be doing historic things with boys in the spring . . . not gay marriage.)

There's little known about the final two shows. GHETTO will be directed by Dan Cantor. THE ILLUSION promises to set its spell on audiences as well (but which tony kushner play will you pref? This mainstage, or the epic ANGELS IN AMERICA grad lab show?)

HOW TO GET CAST... if you're lucky you'll get to meet one hunka burnin' man who graced us with 3 MAINSTAGE performances his Fletchman year (whoops, I mean freshman year) and he'll tell you how.

Big Brother

2008-09-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

Woe is me, I am in a bit of, well, a pickle. There is apparently an opinion out and about (and in my inbox) that anyone under the age of 19 can't make decisions for themselves. That if I say something, they will take it as fact and probably become martyrs for the gospel of Will Shakespeare.

However, I have faith in this new and blossoming generation and as a testament of my appreciation and respect for their mental capabilities I will now list all the things they can legally do as 18-year-olds:

1. Drive cars= this was sixteen in some places, but see? operating heavy machinery... more complex than reading a blog and making up your own mind? I think so.

2. Buy cigarettes = c'mon kids, all the cool people are doing it!

3. Buy pot = just kidding

4. Get a credit card = please don't though, for real, bad choice, you're too young... JUST KIDDING, you're not! You're 18!

5. Take out a Loan = not all of us pay for our tuition and for those that don't, we get sally mae or my rich uncle to help us out.

6. Buy booze = At BADA

7. Buy porn/look at porn/be in porn = personal choice... wait... choice? can they make those? is this America? YES, it IS

8. Join the Army = this can be described as a big deal... yes?

9. Have sex with 40-year-olds = yep, they're legally able to sleep with the oldest people they know... if they want to... which they don't... (dating seniors is cool)

10. Choose what blog they're going to read and whether they believe it = Just because Sarah Palin says she'll be a good Vice President does NOT mean I believe her.

I have faith that the incoming freshmen, like the other students at this fine institution, have the mental and emotional capacity to hear more than one opinion and decide for themselves which they want to believe (if they believe any... theater majors "act" a lot). If any person feels that he or she is being too inundated with slanted information, he or she may send an e-mail to me or leave a comment that says "help me help me I'm dumb"

I trust that you're not dumb.

So,

Continue to...

Pref this blog first,

response to freshman emails

2008-09-03T19:33:00.001-07:00

i recently received an email from an eager freshman. no matter what year, the nu freshmen are really motivated to be in the know by the time they get to class.

this blog (i'd like to think) is a great source of information for those eager young faces.

i will attempt to answer all advice related questions sent to me.

to be fair to everyone, i'll disclose the reply email i sent back to said freshman

"good questions

will be addressed in upcoming blogs

please know that lots of my blog is total bullshit

don't take what i say as fact, it's all just opinion

but i appreciate your feedback

in return for answering some questions, i hope you will email me with some exploits you have with the freshman class so i can expand my range.

thanks for the email

ps; peer advisors are really good resources "

OH...and look...no one could figure out who wrote my plays, you're not going to figure out who writes my blog. good luck. READERS: if anyone has thoughts on who the copycat "informant" is, e-mail ME at wshakes2012@gmail.com.

so know this: I'm gonna answer your questions. don't take it as the word of God, just as the word of the greatest writer of all time...which is why you should obviously...

Pref this blog first,

My Voice is my Instrument

2008-09-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

NU is known for its quantity (if not quality) of a capella. With two groups in the past two years advancing far at the national ICCA competitions, many theatre students moonlight as members of a cappella groups. Trying to figure out which one you belong in? With a little inspiration from my friend, cmarlowe2012, I created this quick guide for you to follow:

Purple Haze

- Constantly replacing female members? Wanna tour Burning Man with your a cappella group? Want to go to broadway? This is the group for you!

Undertones

- Can't seem to live up to the class of 2010? Don't take yourself too seriously? Know what scissoring is? This is the group for you!

Thunk

- Good-looking? In theta? So good-looking that it doesn't matter how boring a capella concerts can be? Thunk is the group for you!

X-Factors

- Like to have fun? Don't take yourself too seriously (either)? Actually in an a capella group because you simply LIKE music? This is the group for you!

Asterik

- Male? All-Male? Really straight (you swear)? This is the group for you!

Brown Sugar

- Want to perform at Freshman Orientation? Indian? Auditioned for Bombay Dreams on Broadway? This is the group for you?

Freshman Fifteen

- Have a great nick-name? Look good in Green? Want to read this blog: http://nufreshman15.blogspot.com/? This is the group for you!

Significant Others

- Female? Love Asterik (Don't tell F15)? Love F15 (don't tell Asterik)? This is the group for you!

See for yourself, incoming Freshman, at A Capella Fest during NSW.

Pref this blog first,

Bored of Boards?

2008-09-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

As the NSW (sorry but Wildcat Welcome Week's never going to happen) approaches, let's take a minute to think about the millions of STUCO student theatre boards that plague Shanley, McCormick and the Louis. Want to see where you fit? Take a look at my view of each of the boards...

Arts Alliance: Recently shaved down from a mere 26,000 members to a sleek 11, Arts Alliance is looking to reshape its tangled and mangled image. With its high profile satellite groups(Mee-Ow, Graffiti, and Thunk) dangling on, the financially blessed board hopes to test new waters or jump over the rainbow. If you want to be on Arts Alliance, make sure you raised $100,000 for your local theater program and you're not afraid to tell anyone. Baked goods and Guacamole are never bad ideas. There's no place like home (for the Dolphin Show) but does the new formula add up to success or will the new group burn out fast?

Sit & Spin: Missing some of its recently graduated (or resigned) key players, Sit & Spin looks to take on a straight male season. Their usual "alternative" choices (choice) look to take a chance as always (once a year), but sometimes it leaves bad memories. If you want to be on Sit and Spin think half Arts Alliance, half-Wave, full of humor (sarcasm) and know how to have fun with theatre. It also helps if you've put on plays in your basement. Will we give a standing ovation to the newbies or yawn and leave those interesting spaces at intermission?

WAVE: Welcome to Northwestern's newest sorority. Wave is known for its edgy members and naked parties. Wait... Wave used to be known for its edgy members and naked parties. This group focuses on experimental theater and interesting use of fabric. One of the oldest boards, it cherishes it shining quirky image. If you want to be on Wave, they're looking for a new face painter. Think the Ravenclaw of theater boards. Kids are smart. Will the girls make it a night to remember or scrabble for the de-tag option for their season?

Vertigo: Welcome to Northwestern's newest fraternity. This boys club headed by some hard hitting girls is coming off a surprise-hit season, but that's a hard feat to repeat. This board is so cool they don't even bother using real plays. Want to be on Vertigo? Come drunk to your petition, don't like theater, join Sigma Chi. New works mean new risks, scary risks. Will they just booze and loose or sober up and hit a second slam?

JTE: This theater board is the only one left with producers helping to call the shots after Arts Alliance's dramatic restructuring. The well-known plays and playwrights of next season could potentially revive this independent board. If you want to be on JTE be Jewish and friendly. Will we all celebrate at Hillel or find another place to drink our Manischewitz?

AATE: It's Out Da Box.

PCP: The child friendly board is quickly becoming a main player in the student theatre community. No qualms about the hard-working, outreach-oriented group of student leaders. If you want to be on PCP (no, not the drug) be friendly and actually be qualified. They win the Bill Shake's Cuddly Fun and Hugs Award. Will we honk to their success or feel like we're on pins and needles?

L&M: The Shakespeare groupies strike again. My favorite group, for obvious reasons, will always choose plays you've probably heard of, even if you've never seen them. Want to be on L&M? Know a lot of To ___ or Not To ___ jokes and be very ok with boardcest. They have their smash hits, so will we...INSERT WITTY BADA JOKE HERE.

Pref this blog,

PS: thanks for the e-mails guys, if you hear anything new, keep sending it in... wshakes2012@gmail.com

Blogs Are What Happen When People Don't Get Cast. But I'm Not Bitter.

2008-09-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

NSW shows and MORE SUMMER

Everybody's getting back in town and that means getting reacquainted with the friends you had last year and decided to ignore over the summer. Speaking of which: his hair is still red, his cheeks are still ruddy, you're still attracted to him, but you may find that you're reintroducing yourself to a certain sophomore who can no longer flip his lengthy locks. Hint: His last name rhymes with "bun(n)"

Nuns? Oh yeah, remember to ask people about their summer vacations. If you know what suicidal religious character snapped back to spirituality and spent their summer farming with nuns and who spent theirs meandering around the US on a Northwestern grant, then... you don't know anything interesting, BUT one ferosh funny female has seriously upped the ante this summer getting superfit to train for a long race and the hard work is apparently paying off, the svelte summer sports star was seen drinking sake at a japanese themed dinner party hosted by her anarchist director and featuring homemade sushi.

SPOTTED NAKED: every northwestern student who stayed this summer and thought he'd beat the summer blues by taking it all off and diving in. but who was caught by the cops?

What happened? to my favorite web series? Is BuDui gone forever? Apparently the two boys are still living together so why oh why haven't we seen something new? A gig at Caroline's doesn't change things that much and I miss those silly pajama pants!

by the way: BE PREPARED: new student week is approaching, a time NOT known for the quality of it's shows so much as the quantity and the sheer crowds it draws from a wide-eyed freshmen population.

HEARD: Complete works, the L&M show traditionally done every year during NSW

has been cut down in length, it should now run about 45 minutes instead of, oh,

you know, like 3 and a half YEARS.

Not a Chance in Newark: Vertigo, trying something new (as usual), has added this improv based fall show to it's season. Despite some problems with casting in the spring, the show should definitely be worth checking out. Featured: its a

Newark (couldn't resist) directed by Vertigo board member and writer of CCofCC

and written by two funny film people (written is a strong word to describe it, (improv)

you'll know what I mean)

Accidental Death of An Anarchist: will it be an accident? Will it be Audience With Murder: 2...More Meta More Mayhem? Only NSW will tell us. Speaking of which, who knows why there was a 5 day

break in the rehearsal process for one goal-oriented cast member? Check his blog

I wouldn't want to tell-u-ride now!

AAAAAAAAAh EVIL DEAD!!!??? I bet you've heard of this rompin' rip roarious hit

musical that's the biggest thing since Rent! Oh.... ohhh... oh... you haven't? Well,

gee... guess you'd better attend the Garden Party this year.

Oh and be warned: the university isn't the ONLY one who can send mass-instructions via text... there's another emergency-warning-system. What emergencies, you ask? Emergency dance parties, of course. Seen last night: E.D.P. at BS (not the degree you're getting, the apartment you most love to frequent) Featuring: the usual suspects dancing like crazy and enjoying the end of the summer.

Remember, Auditions for winter are early (october) so keep in mind:

Pref this blog first,

{Title of Post}

2008-09-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

Some Summer Updates (from BADA to Bowery stuff this summer)

- "after a spectacular show, how does the vernacular go?"

+ Tonight at 8 = Lots of ooh-ing and aah-ing for the only mainstage show this season that the old folk liked. Surprise of the show: Sheldon Harnick not only attended, is still alive and DID get Kitty LeFrou's digits.

+ Bowery Boys = Spent two hours waiting to hear "Seize the Day", with outstanding performances by all the fellas... who can say no to those adorable little boys?

Spotted: Marvin the makeup hair man at the Keg AND at the student cast party for

the show

Most Memorable Moment: A certain transition from fake British accent to

fake fake british accent. Lindah Gahtes Lahved Et.

Biggest Question of the Summer: Do staph infections come from Uganda?

Either way it was a fabulously joyous summer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdUfq9guHpo)

+ Dangerous Beauty = Featuring a some really great boobs from someone making their second onstage performance as a prostitute. They were definitely not the worst pies in London and she sounded Fine. Also featured: RuPaul's hair and makeup people

- Fact: If you can deepthroat a banana be sure to put it on the special skills section of your resume

BADA update: In case your newsfeed didn't tell you, some people went to England this summer.

Apparently, they all brought cameras. Funny thing about 19 Northwestern Students in

England? You'd THINK they'd be able to find more than just each other to hook up with.

Apparently Italian and Spanish inspire love, but English? Only incest. There were AT

LEAST 4 NU pairings as well as a couple people who managed to find love OUTSIDE of

the Northwestern pool maybe one, two, or even three times. Did you know speedos are high fashion in Europe?

Hey, did you hear Northwestern did Amadeus this spring? Everyone at BADA did.

doo, duhdoo

IN EVANSTON: Hey new freshmen, want to know how to be cool? Stay in E-town over the summer and give your group of friends a clique-y name. (Ace of Spades, anyone?)

-- construction in town led one group of people OUT of their normal lives on the ground and UP into the sky, by way of a crane.

-- This summer is brought to you by the number 4 and a half. The difference in age between my favorite summer couple. You can spot them at rooftop dance parties. FRESHMEN: another way to be cool... only date seniors. or super seniors.

-- FOUND: the cast of Bowery Boys in Hinman and Davis, probably watching ABDC or Dexter ----FOUND: the cast of Complete Works in Ridge and Davis drinking: someone turned 21 in England. "Isn't that ironic?"

Lots of news and school hasn't even started yet, but more to come. Stop back to see break downs of all the StuCo boards and their seasons.

Have something to say? Leave a comment or email me at wshakes2012@gmail.com

Pref this blog first,