Saturday Night Breakdown - Playwrights, Breakdown and Show Order

Show #1
Kelleen Conway-Blanchard
1 Male 3 Females

Show #2
Wayne Rawley
2 Males 1 Female

Show #3
Matt Smith (not the improv guy - the Balagan Guy)
2 Females

Show #4
Jonah Von Spreecken
3 Males 2 Females

Show #5
Elizabeth Heffron
1 Male 3 Females

Show #6
Brandon J. Simmons (he had show #6 friday, too.  Hmmmmmmm.)
2 Male 1 Female

Show #7
Celene Ramadan (who is watching the 10:30pm show right now!  Ah, youth....)
3 Male 2 Females

Writers, feel free to get stuff off your chest while you go.  It helps.  Just ask Wayne Rawley!

The First Read: Monique Does the Math

I've decided to sit in on the first read of play #7: Monique Does the Math written by Elizabeth Heffron, directed by Tammi Doyle, featuring the talents of Angela DiMarco, Colleen Robertson, Michael Katt, Alex Garnett, & Amy Love.

As usual with these first reads at 14/48 the director is switching it up quite a bit, having each actor read for nearly every part. As I write, Tammi and Elizabeth are discussing who they'd like to cast in which role. This is, as Aimee Bruneau told me last festival, the "most important decision" a director will make. This decision is all the more important and all the more challenging at 14/48 where the company of actors for each play are selected randomly.

A real estate agent, a couple of first-time homebuyers, two wall-street big wigs... Angela, Colleen, Michael, Alex, and Amy... who will play what? For the answer, come see Monique Does the Math tonight at 8pm or 10:30pm at the Gregory Falls Theatre at ACT!

GOOD MORNING 14/48!!!

"GOOD MORNING 14/48!"

- This entry is for Peggy Gannon (14/48 VET) and all those working today

At this moment:

* 14/48 steering members are running around town picking up food and such

* Playwrights are putting the final touches on their masterpieces

* Troy Fischnaller is at his morning yoga class getting ready for the day ahead

* I'm about to slap some patchouli on and then hop a public bus down town

One last night cap...

Before I go and dream of flying goldfish and a talking whale named Gus, I leave you with a few more memorable quotes and moments from the evening...

* Mazen Winner Elizabeth Heffron drew the final show for night one - 3 Men, 2 Women

* "Andy Jensen is drawing for Paul Mullin." -Shawn Belyea (followed by a delightful chorus of boos which is the only appropriate response if someone is unable to attend the meeting.)

* In the above picture all of the playwrights have just drawn and are viewing their assignment for tonight, except Celene who is using the powers of telepathy to reveal the mysteries within the folded piece of office paper (another reason to adore Celene Ramadan!)

* And finally, a FISCHNALLER UPDATE! As Troy was leaving ACT I asked him how he was feeling about tomorrow. Troy responded, "I feel like... ummm..." and then proceeded to trip and stumble his way up the stair way. This makes me very nervous... is the pressure of COLLATERAL DAMAGE getting to Fischnaller... is he dealing with Swine Flu... only time will tell.

Good night sweet, delicate actors/directors, don't stay out too late band members and burn blisters in those fingers our dear writers... we all eagerly anticipate tomorrow's product!

A picture is worth...

WINNER OF THIS WEEKEND'S MAZEN: ELIZABETH HEFFRON!!!

I BELIEVE SHE WAS DESCRIBING HOW LITTLE SHE DRANK, BUT SHE WOULD TAKE ONE SHOT TO CELEBRATE THE OCCASION!

THE THEME FOR NIGHT ONE: COLLATERAL DAMAGE!

YES, APPARENTLY DANA IS A BIG FAN OF THE MOVIE WITH THE SAME TITLE STARRING THE GOVERNOR OF CALI.

YUP, IT WAS 9:24 AT ONE POINT TONIGHT. THANKS, JODI.

THE MAZEN

ANDY JENSEN BEING ACCUSED OF WEARING AN ARGYLE SWEATER.

Looking back on what was...

I wandered into the 14/48 meeting shortly after 8:15, craving a free beer served by a virgin and hoping the "ten minute" run down was almost over. To my satisfaction, I would get both.
Shawn Belyea was on the DIRECTOR portion of his high speed, bullet point presentation when I took my seat. "YES!" I yelled within the canyon between my brain lobes, "They're almost done!"
Almost done and I didn't miss the most heartfelt piece (presentation of the Mazen) and the most pertinent to the next day's action (presentation of the THEME.)
BOOM - first came the Mazen. Belyea had a beautiful introduction to the first weekend recipient and the Mazen went to... ELIZABETH HEFFRON!
The crowd, including the likes of Troy Fischnaller and the beautiful Kate Parker, jumped to their feet (a standing ovation for those of you not up on the lingo) and began to slam their hands together. Elizabeth gave us some wonderful words to sit on this weekend. "14/48 is alive, with each breath in and each breath out."
This point sticks out to me because it rings with truth... 14/48 is all about the moment. Don't let the moment pass. Embrace and squeeze as hard as you possibly can.
BOOM - next came the theme and Elizabeth drew - "Collateral Damage"... my roommate believes this was a movie. In fact, it was a movie I never saw starring the Governor of California. Not sure how I feel about the connection to Arnold... never-the-less... HOORAY!!!
And HOORAY to all of those who were out tonight and birthing the first weekend of 14/48... this is going to be something to hold onto forever!